If you haven’t been following the jaw-dropping story about the woman who managed to sneak onto a Delta flight from JFK to Paris on November 27th, buckle up—it’s been a wild ride.
At first, it sounded like a simple (albeit shocking) breach of airport security. Somehow, a passenger bypassed TSA security ID checks, slipped through X-ray screening, and boarded a Delta flight without a ticket.
Let’s be real: everything had to fall perfectly into place for this plan to work. At any point, airport staff could have intercepted her and turned this into a much shorter story. Initial reports were vague, with TSA issuing only a terse statement:
“A representative for the U.S. Transportation Security Administration said on Wednesday that a person went through security screening but avoided identity and boarding pass checks before boarding a flight that left the United States.”
Meanwhile, Delta was even more tight-lipped, saying only that they were cooperating with law enforcement and aviation authorities.
New Details Emerge
Over the past few days, more information has trickled out. Here’s what we know now:
- The stowaway is female, 57 years old and holds a Russian passport.
- She also has a U.S. green card, according to an airport official in Paris.
- The Delta flight was completely full, so she spent the entire trip hopping between airplane bathrooms. Her erratic behavior eventually raised suspicions among the flight attendants.
- French authorities detained her upon landing, placing her in a holding area because she didn’t meet the conditions for entering Europe.
- Interestingly, she had applied for asylum in France a few years ago but was denied. She is once again seeking asylum, but French authorities say she doesn’t meet the criteria.
How Did She Pull It Off?
The TSA has since shed some light on how she evaded detection. Here’s the sequence of events:
- The woman bypassed an airport terminal employee managing the Known Crewmember line at JFK’s Terminal 4 main checkpoint.
- She then joined the line for standard TSA screening but skipped the stations where ID and boarding passes are checked.
- Once through security, she integrated herself into a group that appeared to be a family traveling together, slipping onto the flight unnoticed.
It’s clear this wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. Attempting this on one of the busiest travel days of the year—when TSA agents are overwhelmed and travelers are distracted—was probably a deliberate move.
Why Delta Isn’t Saying Much
Delta hasn’t revealed how the woman boarded the plane after bypassing TSA. While pre-flight procedures include checking lavatories for unauthorized passengers, this apparently didn’t occur as planned. A packed flight on a busy day likely diverted attention elsewhere. This incident underscores how rare such events are, even if they reveal vulnerabilities in the system.
The Struggle to Return Her to the U.S.
As per international aviation rules, Delta is responsible for returning her to the United States since she was denied entry into France. However, the situation is proving to be unusually complicated:
- The stowaway is reportedly resisting her return to the U.S.
- Delta refused to transport her back on Tuesday, adding to the turmoil.
- Authorities will try again, this time with a French escort accompanying her.
With her unwillingness to comply, the airline and authorities face an unusual legal and logistical dilemma.
Unlikely to Face Jail Time
Despite the chaos and the hours of investigation this stunt has caused, the woman likely won’t face criminal charges. She hasn’t been arrested or detained in France, a source told CBS, but she could face charges such as criminal trespass and theft of services upon her return to the U.S.
The TSA is preparing a civil case against her after reviewing security footage, according to spokesperson Alexa Lopez:
“The TSA will open civil cases against passengers when there’s evidence that procedures may have been violated,” Lopez told CNN.
While the TSA can refer cases to the Justice Department, it cannot bring criminal charges itself. Whether she will face any criminal charges remains unclear.
What Happens Next?
As the investigation continues, this bizarre story raises serious questions about airport security, especially during high-traffic travel days. For now, the stowaway remains in limbo, her return to the U.S. unresolved, and the case drawing international attention.
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