Airport Security Tests at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Fail Miserably
Sources told KMSP-TV that TSA agents were unable to detect nearly all banned items that went through airport security checkpoints as part of a test.
Two sources told KMSP-TV that the tests carried out on June 29 were eventually stopped after the failure rate reached 95%.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) failed 95% of undercover airport security tests conducted just prior to the heavily traveled Fourth of July weekend, according to a news report.
On June 29, plainclothesmen referred to as the “Red Team” traveled to the airport from Washington D.C., posed as passengers and attempted to slip items through security that should have been easily detected, KMSP-TV, a Fox affiliate, reported.
In nearly all cases, they succeeded in getting the banned items though the checkpoints. Seventeen out of 18 tries by the undercover federal agents saw explosive materials, fake weapons or drugs pass through TSA screening undetected, according to KMSP-TV sources.
Two sources said that the tests carried out were eventually stopped after the failure rate reached 95%. The information was revealed to KMSP-TV as the Fourth of July holiday weekend began. It was estimated that nearly 3.5 million people were expected to fly during the long weekend.
This is not the first time MSP Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has received this sort of failing grade. In April of 2016, sources said the airport failed nine out of 12 tests.
In 2015, nationwide TSA struggles forced the resignation of then TSA Chief Melvin Carraway. Roughly two years later, questions remain under new leadership about how to fix these issues.
When asked about the failing grade MSP received on June 29, the TSA told KMSP-TV, “TSA cannot confirm or deny the results of internal tests and condemns the release of any information that could compromise our nation’s security.”
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