A federal air marshal accidentally left her gun in a restroom beyond the security checkpoints at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, officials said on Saturday.
The weapon was discovered by a passenger who alerted an airline employee.
The marshal remained on the job after Thursday’s incident when she visited an airport restroom and inadvertently left her gun behind, said Dave Adams, spokesman for the Federal Air Marshal Service in Washington.
The restroom was beyond security checkpoints, airport spokeswoman Pat Smith said. So the risk was that someone could have discovered the gun and taken it on a flight.
“Right now we’re still doing the investigation,” Adams said. “It will determine what disciplinary action will be appropriate.”
He declined to identify the marshal for security reasons, but said her work in the past had been “outstanding.”
The United States deploys armed air marshals disguised as passengers on thousands of flights each week as part of security measures implemented after the Sept. 11, 2001, hijacked airliner attacks that killed about 3,000 people.
Smith said the incident occurred about 4 p.m. on Thursday when the air marshal went to the restroom. While washing her hands, she placed her gun on a shelf, but forgot to take it with her when she left the room.
Soon afterward, a passenger found the gun and informed an airline employee, who removed it and told police. The gun later was returned to the marshal.
By: tenthije - 17th April 2004 at 23:09
Originally posted by greekdude1
It’s like where-ever you go, not just the U.S. LHR has some pointless security measures, that’s for sure.
definately true. Even at well known spotter paradises as Schiphol you get this approach. Most of the police officers and rent-a-cops know about us, but every now and then you get a new one who sents people away. Does not happen often though, in over 50 visits I have been sent of only twice. Even then, when I returned an hour later I had no problem for the rest of the day.
By: greekdude1 - 17th April 2004 at 22:24
Originally posted by Papa Lima
Security in the USA seems to be all or nothing and subject to individual discretion!
It’s like where-ever you go, not just the U.S. LHR has some pointless security measures, that’s for sure.
By: Whiskey Delta - 12th April 2004 at 16:22
Originally posted by Bhoy
she put it down whilst washing her hands? wouldn’t a Holster be an idea, or does she need to carry it 24/7? :rolleyes:
FAM’s are undercover so weapons aren’t holstered but carried in other discrete methods. Some of those methods appear to involve special carrying cases. It’s my guess that is what she left behind.
Armed pilots are forbidden from holstering the weapon other than on the flight deck. Outside of that they have a lockbox (safe) to carry the weapon in.
By: Papa Lima - 12th April 2004 at 12:32
Good point, Bhoy, did she wander around with it in her hand all the time?
The Americans never cease to amaze me.
On my first ever trip to the USA last year, despite previous written confirmation of our visit from Base commanders, at certain ANG bases our coachload of British aviation enthusiasts were refused entry by armed guards. In one extraordinary case they even would not let us take photos of the gate guard (aircraft on a pole), despite the fact that it was next to a public highway! Naturally we all took our photos through the bus windows!
At others we climbed all over aircraft under repair in the hangars.
Security in the USA seems to be all or nothing and subject to individual discretion!
By: Bhoy - 12th April 2004 at 10:50
she put it down whilst washing her hands? wouldn’t a Holster be an idea, or does she need to carry it 24/7? :rolleyes:
Should be a case for on the spot dismissal, really, never mind how good the previous record is…
By: skycruiser - 12th April 2004 at 02:09
I must say that I have never been a fan of this sky marshal thing. This goes to prove it’s far from a good idea.
By: kev35 - 11th April 2004 at 17:46
Have to say I agree with papa lima. The US is fond of complimenting itself on its security arrangements and has no qualms (rightly so) of making examples of those idiots who are of the mistaken belief that announcing you have a bomb is ‘a bit of a joke.’
She should have been sacked immediately and might there not be a possibility that she should be charged with reckless endangerment?
Regards,
kev35
By: Papa Lima - 11th April 2004 at 16:14
Shocking!
“The gun later was returned to the marshal.”
In my opinion for people in such a responsible position it should be “one strike and you’re out”, no excuses! In other words she should have been sacked and sent home on the spot. Not least as an example to others.
😡
By: Whiskey Delta - 11th April 2004 at 14:57
Originally posted by Airline owner
who knows if that person could have left it there on purpose for a terrorist or anything
I seriously doubt that. :rolleyes:
Anyway, the home town airport makes the news! Once again, it wasn’t for something good.
By: Airline owner - 11th April 2004 at 08:50
who knows if that person could have left it there on purpose for a terrorist or anything
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April 11, 2004 at 7:12 am