American Airlines Worker Tries Taking Stolen Gun Past Airport Security, Gets Caught

An American Airlines employee was arrested at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, North Carolina, on Tuesday for allegedly possessing a stolen firearm.

According to Charlotte Observer, the employee in question, Elvira Thomas, 44, was not working at the airport at the time, but was traveling. Thomas, a resident of Charlotte, was charged with possession of a firearm on city property and possession of a stolen firearm.

The airline suspended Thomas from her duties as a ticket counter worker at the airport. "This team member has been placed on administrative suspension pending the outcome of the investigation, which includes the suspension of all travel privileges," airline officials said.

In addition, American Airlines released the following statement regarding the incident:

“At American Airlines, we have an unwavering commitment to the safety and security of our customers and team members. We take this matter very seriously and are cooperating with law enforcement during their investigation.”

The airline refused to reveal any other details regarding the incident until the investigation is completed. They did, however, confirm that every employee hired by the company has to undergo a mandatory criminal background check prior to employment.

Although Thomas was traveling on one of the busiest days of the years at the airport — just a day before the Fourth of July — the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) managed to spot the illegal item in her luggage, as she was passing through an airport x-ray scanner.

The authorities later discovered that the gun in her possession was stolen from North Carolina. It was not immediately clear how Thomas came to be in possession of the weapon.

Travelers present at the airport at the time of Thomas’ arrest found it appalling that an airlines worker, who is typically expected to be well acquainted with the rules and regulations of the place, would be caught committing such an act.

“I absolutely find that alarming," passenger Carlaina Bell said, ABC affiliated WSOC-TV reported. "I think we assume a certain level of safety from the people who work here.”

The discovery of a firearm at the airport makes this the 37th such incident this year. Last year, an alarming 68 passengers carrying guns at the airport were caught by TSA agents.

According to TSA rules on firearms, a passenger “may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only” provided that the person planning to carry a concealed weapon “declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter.”

In addition, the container containing the unloaded firearm “must completely secure the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted. Be aware that the container the firearm was in when purchased may not adequately secure the firearm when it is transported in checked baggage.”