deadstick35

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0408/514346.html

Pilot's Missing Laptop Causes Airport Security Scare


posted 2308 Thu April 24, 2008 - Washington

A pilot's laptop, filled with top secret security information was reported missing at Dulles Airport and the ripple effects were felt across the country.

The Mesa Airlines employee couldn't find the personal laptop he brought with him while co-piloting a United Express flight from Birmingham, Alabama to Dulles International Airport.

17 airports were forced to make emergency changes to access codes at Dulles, Atlanta, Phoenix, Chicago's O'Hare and San Antonio.

Various officials within the airline industry admit that with these access codes, someone who went though security could, with the touch of a few buttons, get onto a plane or get outside, right below a plane.

A TSA spokesperson said, "On April 17, Mesa Airlines notified TSA that an employee reported a laptop, containing confidential information, had been misplaced, lost or stolen."

Federal and airline officials admitted that the classified codes on the computer provided the pilot, through a keypad, access from the gate to the plane and down to ground level right below the plane.

Passengers were appalled. "That's just a major security breach for everyone that flies within the United States."

One airline insider tells ABC 7 News the laptop was probably stored in an overhead compartment used by passengers and likely stolen.

Federal officials quickly contacted 17 U.S. airports used by the pilot, warning them of the security breach. Media representatives for a number of those airports affected, including Dulles, Phoenix and Akron-Canton said the codes were promptly changed. ABC 7 News learned one security official at a midwest airport rushed to work in the middle of the night to prevent a breach.

A Mesa Airlines spokesperson said, "Any breach of aviation security is of primary concern to Mesa Airlines and we are fully cooperating with the TSA."

Meanwhile, a TSA official said the agency, "may look at increasing the standards for anyone who stores this type of information on their computers."

Airline officials said they have very little to go on because they don't know if the pilot was targeted or if it was a crime of opportunity. A spokesperson for Dulles said airport police are investigating.

Pantera

Well what does TSA expect us to do memorize ever code for every door at every airport we go to? Christ every time I get one down they change it. I too have many door codes stored on my cell phone. Maybe TSA would be better off finding a solution to this problem then hiding in the bushes to check if we are opening the hydraulic door panel on the belly.

Damn they are so Barney Fife!

HercDriver130

I wonder how many cell phones have been lost with exactly the same type information. Personally I have over 30 airports stored in mine. Not to mention the 8 different passwords that are required by the IT department to access everything I need to.

Lambourne

When I tried to get into our UAL bagroom near C16 the code was changed thanks to this clown. Great work MESA, you guys continue to impress.

twebb

I suppose crime doesn't happen to any other airline employee? Give the guy some credit, at least he realized he had sensitive material on his laptop and reported it right away.

ctd57

Personally I write door codes on my 10-9 Jepp airport diagram pages. Or for us a PNCL, our 3-10 LIDO page. I think you are less likely to lose your flight kit than your cell phone. The article, doesn't really understand that at most airports, you can't get onto the jetbridge unless you have a crew id or a SIDA badge for that airport. Very few airports have a jetbridge access code on the door that is located inside the terminal. I can think of one that has that kind of access.

maveric311

Anyone ever just look at the field report on your release? the codes are right there! who needs to store them to do your job?

andy171773

Just ask rampies...no reason to store them, they change them every once in a while anyways. I never write them down, and there's always someone down there unloading/loading bags you can just ask.

weirdbiz

yeah, why store the jetbridge codes? It says it on the field report and 70% of the time i just ask someone anyway. Storing a whole list of sensitive security codes seems like asking for trouble.

mach946

Quit your bellyaching and just deal with it