Passenger Fined by FAA
Michael Lasseter, the man who ran past security in an Atlanta airport last November, has been fined $3,300 by the FAA for violating FAA screening procedures. Mr. Lasseter's attorney's reaction to the fine is described to be between shock and amusement.
Mr. Lasseter's attorney obviously doesn't represent the thousands of passengers who were required to exit the airport when it had to be closed because of his client's breech of security. Everyone in the airport had to re-enter and be re-screened before they could continue on to their flight. This resulted in hours of delays, not only for the passengers at Atlanta airport, but for passengers all over the east coast as Atlanta airport is a major hub. I would have preferred Mr. Lasseter be fined at least 10 times what the FAA imposed. His putting his own needs ahead of thousands of other passengers should be more severily punished. I can only assume that outdated FAA procedures are responsible for such a small fine given the reckless nature of Mr. Lasseter's offense.
Until passengers who attempt to breach airport security are put on notice that they will pay a very hefty fine (if not jail time) we will get more Mr. Lasseters putting themselves ahead of airport security and other passenger safety and more lawyers finding the imposition of a minimum fine a source of amusement.
01/09/02 ( 324 )
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