By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-10 19:07:21 | Updated at 2024-12-26 05:00:06
2 weeks ago
A grenade was found in a passenger's luggage during a routine security check at a New York airport.
The traveler was going through security at LaGuardia International Airport in Queens on Monday when the Transportation Security Administration found a real but inert grenade inside his carry-on bag, NBC News reported.
The man told TSA officers that he had gotten the war weapon as a gift from a museum.
The grenade was found to be inert, meaning it has been hollowed out so it doesn't accidently explode.
Port Authority Police didn't take any legal action and decided not to press charges against the traveler.
The weapon was surrendered to TSA explosive experts who plan to keep the device handy for training-aid purposes for their officers.
The man was ultimately allowed to continue on his flight after handing the grenade over.
The discovery comes just a month after the airport experienced a bomb scare that led to the temporary evacuation of Terminal B and the suspension of flights early that same morning.
A grenade - which was found to be inert - was discovered in a passenger's carry-on bag during a routine security check at LaGuardia Airport in New York on Monday
The traveler said the grenade was a gift from a museum but it was ultimately handed over to TSA who plan to use it as a training-aid for their officers
Port Authority Police didn't take any legal action and decided not to press any charges, which allowed the man to continue on his flight after he surrendered the grenade
At around 5:35am on November 9, a suspicious duffel bag was found at the TSA's screening area - prompting the evacuation of the terminal where flights from JetBlue, American Airlines and United Airlines take off and land, the New York Daily News reported.
Test results of the bag came back positive for an organic material that is used tor bomb making.
Several 18-volt batteries - which are used for power tools - were also found in the bag during an investigation conducted by the Port Authority police.
Travelers who hadn't yet gotten through security screenings were halted from going any further and relocated to the parking lot where they stayed until the investigation was completed.
'I was very close to the front. I started seeing TSA agents telling everyone to stop screening,' Robert Baston told the New York Post.
'One agent was speaking into the radio,' he added. 'After that, they told everyone to evacuate the terminal. Everyone was outside to the passenger drop off area... The TSA agents, they haven't really told us anything.'
The NYPD Bomb Squad determined that the contents inside weren't explosive after they were called in to check the duffel bag.
Police activity in the terminal led to delayed flights and traffic disruptions in the surrounding areas - impacting both roads and MTA bus routes.
LaGuardia Airport was named the best airport in the United States by Forbes Travel Guide in October of this year based on a survey of 5,000 travel experts
Its new rank came after its $8 billion renovation - which boosted its status from one of the worst airports in the country to the best
The transformation of Delta Terminal C was just completed this past October and offers world-class dining options and shops
Passengers were allowed to re-enter the terminal and continue to board their flight following a two-hour evacuation period after the package was deemed safe.
LaGuardia Airport - which covers more than 650-acres of land - was recently named the best airport in the United States based on a survey of 5,000 travel experts.
LaGuardia's initial bad reputation began around the 2000s, and by 2014, the airport was named as the most frustrating airport in the US and Canada.
Its new rank, which was announced by Forbes Travel Guide in October of this year, came after its $8 billion renovation - boosting its status from one of the worst airports in the country to the best.
The transformation of Delta Terminal C was just completed this past October and now offers world-class dining and shops, including a new steakhouse, Fox 5 NY reported.
The massive makeover includes loads of shops, hands-free bag drop, digital ID screening capabilities and a curbside check-in facility that allows passengers to reach the security screening area faster.
The terminal also includes 36 full-service check in counters, 49 self-service kiosks, 16 bag-drop stations and 13 restrooms that are all equipped with touch-free entry, sinks and hand dryers.
New artwork supplied by the Queens Museum also lines the walls inside.
