TSA “Making Adjustments” After Unticketed Man Strolls Past Security & Onto Plane at DFW

Police say a man abandoned his car at the curb, walked past security and boarded a plane at DFW on Sunday without ever even purchasing a ticket.

There are a slew of onerous security measures designed to keep passengers safe at the airport. Anyone who has ever left the car unattended curbside, even if only for a second to give a departing relative a hug, can attest that airport police vigilantly guard against long goodbyes and abandoned vehicles. By the time passengers reach their flights, IDs have been checked multiple times, intrusive questions asked by humorless agents have been answered, shoes have been inspected and carry-ons combed through thoroughly.

And yet somehow, despite having these measures in place, a 26-year-old man recently managed to avoid all of the inconveniences that come with modern air travel at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). According to The Dallas Morning News, the would-be passenger simply left his car curbside Sunday and made his way onto a flight without bothering to purchase a ticket or wait in line at the TSA security checkpoint.

Police say they discovered the unidentified flyer’s abandoned vehicle and “found no threat” after a thorough inspection of the car, but by that time, the driver was already making his way toward a plane of his choosing.

The sneaky traveler’s plans were ultimately foiled by a gate agent who alerted police when he simply walked onto a flight without offering a boarding pass. The flight was briefly delayed while police took the man into custody on public trespassing charges.

In a statement, the TSA said it is investigating how the unticketed man was able to circumvent security and the agency has taken steps to avoid a repeat of the security lapse. The TSA statement, issued by TSA Regional Public Affairs Manager Carrie Harmon, read in part:

Immediately following this incident, TSA made adjustment to the DFW screening area and has added more barriers and is working to identify other long-term solutions that may require physical adjustments to the area.

[Photo: iStock]