Al Gore Inadvertently Breaches Airport Security
March 1, 2007 11:19 PM EST
Former vice president Al Gore was involved in a security breach at the Nashville Airport when an American Airlines employee led him and his entourage around security, a clear violation of policy.
"There are no exceptions. Everyone must go through security," airport spokesperson Lynn Lowrance said.
Wednesday at the Nashville Airport, Gore arrived with two others and airport. Sgt. Gary Glover with airport police waited for his arrival and to go through security.
"He made his way to security, waiting for him to come through the check area, then he saw him pop up past security in a sterile area," Lowrance said.
Gore and his group bypassed the metal detectors, a blatant security breach. Lowrance said an American Airlines employee took Gore around security directly to the gate.
"Everyone who comes through this public airport terminal must be screened, so it's a breach of rules. It's serious," Lowrance said.
The airline employee took Gore down an elevator and then through a secure door. She ran her security card through the electronic lock a total of three times to let Gore and his two colleagues pass through the turnstile one at a time.
Airport police quickly caught up with them and Gore willingly went through security.
It was unknown if the former vice president requested the special treatment or it was offered and he accepted, but it did violate airport policy.
Late Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson for Al Gore said he did not request any special treatment to get around security.
Airport officials said the former vice president made no complaints when confronted. He and his two friends willingly went back through the security system.
Airport police think this may have been a case of the employee simply being too accommodating. Her name was not released. She was cited for a breach of rules, and will be required to retake an airport security class.
Airport police said the incident goes to show just how closely they monitor passenger security.
A person being escorted by an armed federal officer is the only person allowed to bypass security.
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