Confusion and delays at Orlando airport after TSA agent falls to his death
An off-duty Transportation Security Administration officer fell to his death Saturday from a hotel balcony inside Florida's Orlando International Airport, officials said, sending confused travelers scattering past security checkpoints unscreened and causing flight delays.
There were varying descriptions about what happened. Orlando police said a man in his 40s jumped, in an apparent suicide, from the Hyatt Regency Hotel onto an atrium floor in the main terminal at about 9:30 a.m. ET.
TSA spokeswoman Jenny Burke identified the man as an off-duty TSA officer, and said he fell from one of the multilevel hotel's balconies, which overlooks an area where people line up for one of the airport's security checkpoints.
[...] Trista Eaden told Spectrum News 13, a CNN affiliate, that she was waiting in line for screening when she heard a loud bang. "Then I saw the TSA agents standing up, and all of a sudden they just told us to run, to just go through the screening," Eaden said. The TSA said that several passengers scattered past the security areas without screening. All passengers at gates 70 to 129 had to be rescreened, the airport said.
Also at the Orlando Sentinel.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 03 2019, @04:27AM (4 children)
PEOPLE!
LISTEN!
A number of people have boarded a plane WITHOUT BEING SCREENED!
IN AMERICA!!!!!!!!
WE MUST TAKE ACTION!!
Otherwise, something bad may happen. Something terrible.
The reputation of the TSA is at stake!
We need a plan. We need action. We need people on the front lines shoving their hands down people's pants to prove that the TSA is needed, that the TSA is wanted, that the TSA is there to do the job that Americans expect them to do.
Otherwise more planes will be taken over by terrorists and run into buildings. Just like 9/11. Don't forget that day.
FOR THE GOOD, OF, AMERICA!
(Score: 0, Flamebait) by realDonaldTrump on Sunday February 03 2019, @05:10AM
Take it easy. Better just take it easy. It was one Plane. And everybody was O.K. 100% fine. Except for the guy that fell (RIP!!). Jumped, or possibly was pushed. Too bad! That's really too bad.
We love our T.S.A., they're very hard workers. Dedicated. We had to do the Shut Down. And we lost a few because of that. Although, not as many as you'd think. Less workers. Doing the same fantastic job. And everyone was safe. We did that very informally. But I think we can do a Cut there. Spend less money. And get the same results. Very smart. It's what we do.
(Score: 2) by MadTinfoilHatter on Sunday February 03 2019, @05:33AM
No need to worry...
...the show must go on.
(Score: 4, Funny) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Sunday February 03 2019, @06:26AM
Because à opted out of an X-ray.
He was cheerfully apologetic when he did so, so I permitted him to retain his dignity by not offering my a reacharound to show my great gratitude for his tireless efforts on behalf of air travel safety.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 03 2019, @06:57AM
"Otherwise, something bad may happen."
Yes, people might actually realize that the TSA is in fact a useless waste of money and isn't needed. Wouldn't want that to happen, now, would we.