A security screening glitch at Phoenix Sky harbour Airport caused havoc for flyers Thursday with more than 3,000 checked bags missing their designated flights.
The problem related to ‘unprecedented technical issues’ with a computer server linked to automated bag screening, said Transportation Security Administration spokesman Nico Melendez.
Although passengers flew out nore or less on time as scheduled, their checked bags did not, with TV footage by NBC showing baggage piled up outside in an airport parking lot.
Other manual methods were used to screen bags including sniffer dogs while hundreds of items were trucked to other airports in Los Angeles and San Diego to be screened and then delivered to air travelers at their destination.
It was described as ‘very challenging circumstances’ by Southwest Airlines, which shipped 1,500 bags by truck to Las Vegas to be screened.
Late Thursday evening, the system was ‘operational’ again, the TSA said.
It has so far not given any more clues as to the reason for the technical glitch.
"We will continue testing the system throughout the night in preparation for scheduled operations," the TSA said.
