<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tsadude:
It is not uncommon for people to forget about a weapon. They handle large sums of cash,diamonds,gold. It becomes a part of them like a wallet or car keys. Why the pilot was arrested and the screener was not was up to the LEOs. I can tell you that the screener will be terminated though. Remember that the TSA does not arrest people. </font>
According to the information at the TSA website on prohibited items, it makes no difference if you brought it with you accidently. I would hope that a screener would be especially aware of this. The information also states that the determination of arrest can be made by a screener.
http://www.tsa.dot.gov/public/display?theme=12
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">If you bring a prohibited item to the checkpoint, you may be criminally and/or civilly prosecuted or, at the least, asked to rid yourself of the item. A screener and/or Law Enforcement Officer will make this determination, depending on what the item is and the circumstances. This is because bringing a prohibited item to a security checkpoint-even accidentally-is illegal.</font>
[This message has been edited by tazi (edited 01-23-2003).]