A mother felt uneasy when a man sat close to her children. He was subsequently removed from the flight.
Lauren Benton sensed something was off the moment she passed the TSA checkpoint on her way to catch a flight.
On August 2, she, her husband Nathan, and their two children, aged 9 and 6, were returning home to Georgia via Delta Air Lines from Washington Dulles International Airport. Benton noticed a man near her family at the checkpoint who started tailing them towards their gate. At one point, she observed the man entered the women’s restroom while she was in there with her daughter.
“My heart sank,” Benton shared with YSL News. “We aimed to project a sense of safety for our children at all times.”
The man continued to follow them even after they boarded the plane during early boarding and settled into their seats. Aware that her kids were growing anxious, she knew she had to take action. Benton discreetly spoke to a flight attendant about the situation.
Ultimately, the man was escorted off the aircraft. He did not possess a boarding pass for the flight alongside Benton and her family, but he did hold a valid boarding pass and ID for a different flight that day.
Since the man did not have a valid ticket for Delta’s flight, the plane had to be evacuated for security checks, taking about an hour and a half to two hours, according to Benton.
The TSA, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (which operates Dulles Airport), and Delta have all addressed the incident in separate statements.
The TSA informed Benton that it is looking into the incident, stating there were no oversights at the checkpoint, as the man had valid boarding credentials and identification.
MWAA confirmed that the man was removed from the plane but noted that no charges were brought against him, and he continued on to his intended destination.
Delta indicated it is also reviewing the incident as the man managed to board without a proper ticket for that flight.
“Delta has protocols for gate agents and flight crews to confirm that passengers onboard an aircraft prior to departure are those booked for that specific flight. Delta is conducting an internal investigation while collaborating with airport officials on this matter,” the airline stated.
Benton expressed confusion over how such a security breach could occur.
“Only people authorized to be on the plane should have been granted access. I want to understand how this happened,” she stated. “Given the circumstances following 9/11, many assume this type of situation is impossible, yet it is possible.”
Officials reported that the man who followed Benton may have had mental health issues. Benton acknowledged these challenges but emphasized that it cannot excuse lapses in safety protocols.
“I empathize with those facing mental health challenges in the U.S., but that should not justify compromising my family’s security,” Benton remarked. She also recognized that she and her husband could have alerted authorities more swiftly but were attempting to stay calm for their children.
Benton hopes that those involved will work diligently to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, she plans to establish a safety plan with her family.
“Just don’t be complacent,” she advised. “Be ready to speak up.”