Posted on 08/05/2002 8:26:42 AM PDT by Texaggie79
PITTSBURGH - A 17-year-old Canadian passenger on a US Airways flight from Toronto was arrested for using a lighter on his shoe, authorities said.
The teen told police he was burning loose material off his tennis shoes as the plane taxied into Pittsburgh International Airport Saturday. The boy's father was seated next to him.
Authorities said the teen would not be identified because of his age. He was cited for disorderly conduct and released into the custody of his father, said Allegheny County Police Sgt. Robert Clark.
Federal authorities interviewed the boy and his father after a flight attendant found the boy flicking a butane lighter and took it away from him, Clark said.
Police met the plane at the terminal around 8 p.m. and checked the roughly 40 passengers on board, according to KDKA-TV.
"There is no such thing as a joke at an airport anymore," Clark said.
Police said the boy and his father were connecting in Pittsburgh on a flight to California, but US Airways asked them to make other travel arrangements.
In another incident, FBI ( news - web sites) agents arrested a man early Sunday for allegedly trying to pass through a security checkpoint at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with razor blades in his shoes.
The man had set off a metal detector Saturday night and when he removed his shoes, as requested, four razor blades fell to the floor, airport spokesman Bob Parker said.
He told authorities the blades fell from his shirt pocket when he bent over, Parker said.
The 29-year-old's name was not released. He was being held on investigation of a state weapons charge.
Gum perhaps?
By the way, I know several local Pittsburgh residents who got airport security jobs. Several postal police officers transfered to the TSA to become air marshalls. Another young man is being hired as an Allegheny county police officer and will be stationed at the airport on a security detail. And a young woman marine, who just finished police officer training and is now based with the Marine Reserve, has been told that she will be sent to the airport detail.
Didn't another version of this story mention that this kid, though Canadian, is of Iranian descent?
However, they missed the .32 gun in his pocket for fun.
Strings. I used to do this all the time to get those strings off my fatigues. I'd be gigged in inspection if I didn't.
Jer: "THAT'S A LOT OF GUM!"
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