CHARLOTTE -- Charlotte-Douglas International Airport was shut down for 45 minutes after a man bypassed security checkpoints to get his ticket changed.
The Transportation Safety Administration says a man apparently used an exit-only walkway to get back to the concourse shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday.
The Charlotte Observer reported the lockdown lasted about 45 minutes. Normal operations resumed about 8 p.m.
The man was caught on video, prompting an airport-wide search. He was not immediately identified by airport authorities or the TSA. The man was being interviewed by authorities but it was unclear if he would be charged.
No planes took off during the lockdown.
Some passengers say they were never informed about the security breach.
Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotte.com
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
i was also in the airport
i was also in the airport during this completely mild security breach. we (passengers and employees alike) were all told to "stop! stand still right where you are." there was no explanation given, and we had to remain at a literal standstill for almost an hour. the security officials told us nothing.
Charlotte Lockdown
I had passed through security shortly before the incident & was in the gate area waiting on yet another delay on US Air (Mechanical Problems - bad brakes on plane). No announcement was made regarding the security issue, good policy in my opinion, why alert the "Bad Guy".