Just one week ago, the House Homeland Security Committee released a damning report. It detailed a two year investigation into threats within America’s airports.
It says most of our nation’s airports are not doing enough to protect themselves and us from the “insider threat.”
It says the TSA needs help from airlines to protect us all. The report says airports and airlines need to do more to screen their employees.
More than 900,000 people work at our nation’s airports. Because you go through security screening when you fly, you might assume workers do too.
At some airports, a badge is all you need to get into secure areas.
The TSA has called for airlines to fund physical employee screenings of all employees. At Detroit Metro Airport, only one airline stepped up.
“The bad guys are always looking for gaps,” said Former FBI Chief Andy Arena.
Arena says airlines need to be aware of the insider threat.
“People change. Their financial situation, their ideology, whatever,” said Arena.
So what crimes are already being committed by workers at Detroit Metro? We obtained case reports. We found employees accused of violence at work, theft, and bringing guns to the airport.
This is despite a Wayne County Airport Authority Ordinance that says no one shall, "Possess a dangerous weapon in any area of the Airport“ with few exceptions.
It became clear almost all of the guns were seized from Delta employees - nine out of at least ten guns seized since January of last year.
Sources at Delta say it is likely because Delta is the only airline at Detroit Metro with a security team that is physically screening all workers as they come and go.
The Wayne County Airport Authority points out Delta is also the largest airline at the airport.
Delta decided to do this after a couple concerning incidents.
Investigators uncovered a gun smuggling operation involving workers in other cities. It was also discovered in November 2014 that ISIS recruited men who worked at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Abdirahmaan Muhamed, who had worked for Delta, died fighting for ISIS in Syria.
“It is going to cost the airline money to do this, but in the long run, if you are saving lives, I think you should do it,” said Arena.
The House Homeland Security report released one week ago says only three airports nationwide have implemented what it calls full employee screening. Detroit Metro isn’t on the list.
The Wayne County Airport Authority says it hopes next time there is a review it makes that list.
After Delta implemented screening, it took action to screen workers at airlines that didn’t do so on their own. It, in recent months, hired workers to physically screen other workers.
Nationwide, the House Homeland Security Committee says much more needs to be done.
