Exit Lane Offered Clear Path Into The Terminal

A man caused hours of delays at EWR by walking past security without being screened on Sunday evening and into the terminal servicing Continental Airlines.  After being unable to identify or trace the movements of the man, TSA ordered the entire terminal to be emptied for a security sweep.

The TSA was alerted after a man was seen walking into terminal C through an exit lane around 5:20pm, bypassing security screening.  It is unclear why there was no TSA presence at the exit to prevent the man from entering.

Screening was halted while the TSA reviewed surveillance footage of the incident.  Several hours later, all passengers were ordered to leave the terminal and get rescreened. 

TSA spokeswoman Anne Davis said no flights were allowed to leave from Terminal C Sunday evening.  Passengers already onboard aircraft were deplaned to be included in the rescreening.

As of 10pm, the rescreening still had not started and Continental was offering to reschedule reservations going through EWR on Sunday or Monday at no charge.

FMI: www.TSA.gov, www.Continental.com