'Horrendous' security lapses at US airports

Undercover government investigators smuggled explosives and weapons past security staff at 15 airports in the US, it emerged today.

A Department of Homeland Security official described the performance of security screeners as “poor” in the report obtained by the newspaper, USA Today.

Clark Kent Ervin, the department’s inspector general, said the tests were done during the second half of 2003.

Explosives-detectors were installed at US airports in the wake of September 11, to screen checked baggage.

But hand luggage is rarely checked.

Republican congressman John Mica, chairman of a House aviation subcommittee, said the number of times inspectors were able to evade bomb-detectors in the tests was “absolutely horrendous”.

The performance of screeners at spotting weapons was “bad enough”, he added.

Another government investigation last year found that undercover agents were able to get guns, knives and box cutters past security staff.

“Unfortunately, it may take some horrific wake-up call to get attention,” Mr Mica said.

Mr Ervin blamed poor training, management and technology within the Transportations Security Administration for the failures.