October 28, 2006

Newark Liberty Airport failed 90 pct of security tests

Five years after Sept. 11 terrorists departed from Newark Liberty Airport and hijacked United Flight 93, the airport’s security massively failed tests by allowing fake bombs and guns through in 20 of 22 tests, according to the Star-Ledger.

The tests were conducted October 19, according to the newspaper report, which was attributed to unnamed federal security officials who talked to the paper despite Transportation Security Administration rules prohibiting release of covert-test results.

Details from the Star-Ledger report:

One of the security officials familiar with last week's tests said screeners at Newark missed fake explosive devices that were hidden under bottles of water in carry-on luggage, taped beneath an agent's clothing and concealed under a leg bandage another tester wore.

Additionally, the official said screeners failed to use hand-held metal detector wands when required, missed an explosive device during a pat-down and failed to properly hand-check suspicious carry-on bags. Supervisors also were cited for failing to properly monitor checkpoint screeners, the official said.

October 28, 2006 09:29 AM in Arrivology

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