"Media Finds Glaring Hole In Philadelphia Airport Security"

Monday, March 24, 2003

NBC 10 News Finds Glaring Hole In Airport Security
Workers Would Follow Others Through Door Without Punching In Code
NBC10 - Philadelphia (PA)


NBC 10 News has found what appears to be a glaring hole in the security
system at Philadelphia International Airport.

A tipster told us nobody stops anyone at a certain door in Terminal A. We
checked it out, and, sure enough, that's what we saw with our undercover
camera.

Airport employees are supposed to punch in a code to get through the door
behind ticketing. Some do and some don't. Some slide through with
co-workers.

One employee we talked to said that they are supposed to stop anyone who
doesn't punch in the code. He told us that he follows that guideline, but
our camera found many who did not.

NBC 10 News was told that there were two security guards at the door, who
were recently removed. Our source said that the door in question is one door
away from access to planes and baggage and the most sensitive areas of the
airport.

We showed our tapes to a security expert. Airport officials refused to
comment on camera, but they told us that employees, including construction
workers, are given criminal background checks.

They added that the door in our video only leads to airport offices, and
that there is tighter security beyond that point. They said that there is a
guard on the other side of the second door and you can't get in without
getting swept for weapons.

However, our sources say there is more tailgating at the second door.

Airport officials say that it is not a violation to go through the first
door and they insist that they discipline any employee who tailgates or
helps another tailgate through the second cardswipe door.

Just minutes after NBC 10 News asked what was going on with the security at
the door, we saw action. Two guards were immediately posted outside of the
door and another was posted inside.

Though the increased security happened right after our inquiry, an airport
spokesperson said that the guards are part of the Transportation Security
Administration's new random security checks and that the security beyond the
first door is already adequate.

It is interesting to note that when the NBC 10 News crew left the airport,
there were at least eight officers and guards at a door where, at first,
there were none.

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