Security lapse causes grounded flights at San Francisco airport
March 23, 2019 - 9:57 am
Updated March 23, 2019 - 10:14 pm
SAN FRANCISCO — Security lines were closed and flights were temporarily grounded at a San Francisco International Airport terminal after a passenger passed a security checkpoint with a loaded gun magazine.
An airport duty manager said the lines were shut for nearly an hour and United Airline flights out of Terminal 3 were grounded Saturday morning as TSA officers looked for the passenger.
Bob Rotiski said the passenger who apparently had visited a shooting range packed a loaded magazine in his carry-on bag. He said an officer identified the magazine during security screening, but the wrong bag was pulled from the line. By that time, the passenger had already left the checkpoint with the bag containing the magazine.
Rotiski said the lines reopened after officers located the passenger and brought him back for re-screening.