Posted on 03/10/2006 2:43:01 PM PST by pitinkie
NEW YORK - Authorities at New York's La Guardia airport have evacuated a terminal and halted outbound flights after a security alert over a passenger's shoes, they said Friday.
"The decision was taken to remove passengers from the terminal out of an abundance of caution," said Yolande Clark, a spokeswoman for the federal Transport Security Administration.
The incident occurred shortly before 3:00 pm (2000 GMT) at the Delta Airlines terminal.
According to Clark, a male passenger who was selected for secondary screening set off an alarm when his shoes were passed through a detector that checks for explosives.
"The passenger then put on his shoes and exited the area," said Clark, who was unable to explain why the man was not stopped.
As well as evacuating the building, all outbound flights were being held up while security personnel searched for the passenger, Clark said.
Incoming flights landed as normal, she added.
Passengers' shoes have been regularly checked at airports since the attempt by British "shoe-bomber" Richard Reid to blow up a Paris-Miami flight in 2001 using explosives hidden in his soles.
Maybe they smelled so bad it was like a chemical warfare attack
more:
The man was allowed to leave the security area before the security alert was resolved, an official of the Transportation Security Administration in Washington said, and authorities were searching for him.
A witness told CNN that 600 to 700 people were evacuated from the terminal.
The Transportation Security Administration official said just before 3 p.m., a male passenger going through a security checkpoint at the Delta terminal set off a general alert calling for a more thorough examination.
The man removed his shoes for a screening, which detected the possible presence of explosives residue. The man apparently then proceeded beyond the security checkpoint, the TSA spokesman said. It was unclear why he was allowed to go on.
So when the machines detect bombs they just wave them on through? Great...
Hello sir, we see you have a bomb, enjoy your flight...
Break out the ODOR EATERS
TSA = Thousands Standing Around
So, best bet for not getting delayed is to wear a different pair of shoes than those you used working in your law, visiting a graveyard, or doing practice shooting at a range.
We are going to defeat ourselves with our apathy and corruption and incompetence.
"Marguerite, go wash your feet.
The Board of Health's across the street."
Exactly.
Screeners are not that polite. but they are that inept.
I forget now, how many terrorists have the government screeners caught?
I have just about given up flying because of all the stupid and pointless "security". Just let me on the damn plane and take off on time. I'll take the risk that it gets hijacked. If it does, I'll volunteer to lead the charge to kill and dismember the hijackers.
Sounds like the guy needs foot powder!
Those Federal employees tha Democrats insisted on.
We don't do real good work, but we sure are slow.
I would love to never fly again but that wont happen. I am going to NYC Monday and then Michigan in 2 weeks. I hate to fly!!
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