Transportation Security Administration officials inspected and approved perimeter fencing security at San Jose Airport just three weeks before a teen stowaway breached it and climbed into the wheel well of a Hawaii-bound jet.
TSA administrator John S. Pistole made the disclosure to the US Senate Commerce Committee yesterday, which is likely to add to calls for more improvements to airport fence security at the nation’s 400-plus airports.
Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer questioned the effectiveness of TSA inspection criteria, saying: "What if it was someone else with an explosive?"
Yahya Abdi, 15, of Santa Clara scaled the perimeter fence and hid in the landing gear of a Hawaiian Airlines jet.
The youth was recorded on CCTV on the tarmac at the airport but this was not seen by security personnel at the time.
Pistole said the TSA has been investigating "almost nonstop" how the security breach occurred.
Pistole told the committee inspectors had reviewed perimeters and electronic access control training, law and enforcement at the airport between January 2 and March 28.
It was also disclosed that the airport plans to enhance security for the fence line.
Airport spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes said all TSA standards are met.
"The fence meets and in many cases exceeds standards and we’ve always done what we’ve been asked to do," said Barnes.
Some congressmen have asked the Government Accountability Office to update rules on airport perimeter security, last issued in 2009.
