American Eagle Versus the TSA

Security at airports has always been a controversial issue. People need the assurance of security checks and searches but don’t want to be personally involved. Having a stranger poke and prod your personal belongings, or worse still your person, is something that nobody enjoys. Most people recognise the need for these intrusions and there is normally no harm done during these inspections.

When it comes to aircraft security things can be a lot different. There was the recently reported case of a TSA inspector at Chicago O’Hare airport who grounded 9 American Eagle aircraft while he was doing his job of testing the security of the aircraft parked on the airport. This is a common exercise at all North American Airports where aircraft park overnight and are supposed to be secured to prevent intruders gaining access to them. This inspector went a little over the top, literally, by climbing on the aircraft to see if he could gain entry. In doing so he damaged external probes which are on the side of the fuselage by using them as steps and handholds. Using this method he was able to gain access to the bridge which links the aircraft to the airport.

In my opinion he should be looking to see if it is possible to gain access to the area where the aircraft are parked as this restricted area has a lot more potential for bad guys than gaining access to the interior of an aircraft.

I guess he crossed the line between aircraft security and aircraft safety which is a grey area for the security inspector who could benefit from an education in the hazards associated with aircraft to himself and the crew and passengers. There is now the possibility of action being taken by the TSA against the airline as he gained entry to 7 of the 9 aircraft. There is, of course, the other possibility of the airline taking action against the TSA for potentially damaging the aircraft in gaining access to them. Another win win situation for the lawyers.