Airport Security Scare As Man Runs Through Checkpoint At Pearson Int’l.
Posted January 4, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A scare at Pearson International Airport on Friday has security officials questioning how a suspect got by them – and onto a plane. Cops say a man entered Terminal One around 9:30am and ran through a security checkpoint. Before authorities could catch up to him, he’d managed to get onboard an Air Canada Jazz flight headed for Charlottetown.
Police say the man took off through the checkpoint at “a full gallop” and simply outran his pursuers.
The pilot quickly realized what was going on and was able to subdue the suspect, holding him until security forces arrived. He was led away from the area and taken into custody. It’s still not clear what his apparent motive might have been, whether he actually had a ticket or if he had just come off another flight.
Officials admit it was a serious breach but are relieved that all their security protocols kicked in as they should have and the incident ended peacefully. No passengers were threatened and the plane wasn’t damaged.
All airports and airlines have increased their scrutiny since 9/11, with some checkpoints taking hours to clear everyone as a precaution. Since the infamous September 11th attacks, many kinds of liquids have been banned from carry-on luggage and some passengers are required to remove their shoes to test for explosives.
A 20-year-old man is facing mischief charges.
