Today at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, two notable security incidents occurred:
- A United Airlines passenger, Besnik Ismajlaj, managed to bypass TSA screening protocols during a shift change and boarded a flight with a loaded Glock 9mm pistol in his carry-on bag. The firearm was detected by TSA X-ray screening, but Ismajlaj retrieved his bag from the machine before officers could intervene. He was found on the plane before takeoff, admitted to having the gun, and was removed by Chicago police without resistance. This incident exposed a significant security lapse during TSA shift transitions and has raised concerns about procedural adherence and oversight at O'Hare
- Separately, a 36-year-old DoorDash delivery driver accidentally drove into a restricted, secured area within O'Hare airport, traveling several miles on internal roads and possibly crossing runways before being spotted by air traffic control. The driver was unaware of the breach, and after investigation, authorities concluded it was unintentional and no charges were filed. This event underscores ongoing safety concerns at the airport regarding unauthorized access to secure zones
Both incidents highlight vulnerabilities in airport security operations at O'Hare, particularly during staff shift changes and in controlling access to restricted areas. Authorities responded promptly in both cases to mitigate risks and are expected to review and strengthen security protocols accordingly.
