You may not have seen this item in the Los Angeles Times this week; it was buried in a back section, easily overlooked.
TSA remains tight-lipped about terminal evacuation.By Arthur Bell
Transportation Security Administration officials at Los Angeles International Airport refused to discuss last Thursday's evacuation of the International Terminal. Authorities said it was an action made necessary by protocols in place and security issues prevented them from elaborating further.
What is known is that a disturbance at one of the screening areas led to the evacuation and shutdown of the terminal about 4 pm. Witnesses said that an Australian Blue Heeler refused to go through the full-body scanner and as the alternative pat-down procedure was being implemented, shouted, "Don't touch my junk!" and fled the screening area. There is some indication that two agents were injured in the melee that followed, but the TSA would neither confirm nor deny the injuries.
One traveler, Arley Snugh of Nashville, said that the Heeler was a minor celebrity, lead singer for the Country and Western group Bob and the Backyard Howlers, but this could not be confirmed.
A reliable source who refused to be identified said that there had indeed an incident where a Blue Heeler fled from the screening area and was chased into the baggage handling area, precipitating the evacuation and shut down, and that the dog was subsequently apprehended. When asked why the TSA was refusing to discuss the event, the source suggested that there was a link to Friday's press release by the DEA that announced the seizure of a huge quantity of illegal narcotics found in the baggage area of the International Terminal.
The press release said only, "An alert individual had uncovered the drugs buried deeply in the baggage area, completely undetected by normal screening processes. The DEA refused to identify the individual.
So there you have it. Can't wait to get the whole story from Bob. If he ever gets out of jail.
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