Two airline employees at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) used their instincts and training to stop a pair of trespassers who gained unauthorized access to secure areas of PHL, and TSA recognized the airline employees for mitigating these potential security risks.
GAT Airline Ground Support employee Dustin Corliss for Spirit Airlines saw someone wandering around the secured field side of the airport and notified authorities. Thanks to Corliss, the suspicious person was found and taken to the Philadelphia Police Department for investigation.
Meanwhile, Delta Air Line employees Christhna Mathurin and Harold Townes discovered a suspected homeless man on the ramp. Mathurin and Townes asked to see the man’s airport access credentials, which he was unable to produce. They then escorted the man to the Delta Operations Center and notified Philly police. The man overheard the call and tried to flee the area but ended up in a Delta testing room.
The quick thinking employees locked the man in the room and waited for police to arrive while Delta Manager Bobby Fulmore notified TSA. It was discovered that this suspicious person was a previous airport employee who had warrants for his arrest.
“We always say, ‘If you see something, say something,’ and that is exactly what these fine folks did,” said PHL Federal Security Director Gerardo Spero. “Although it was dark and cold, they saw something that was unusual, and they acted by challenging the suspicious individuals and following proper procedures by notifying the authorities. Their actions bring great credit upon themselves, their organizations and Philadelphia International Airport. It was my honor to recognize them for it.”
Spero presented partnership awards to these three airport employees while emphasizing how their actions played a critical role in strengthening security. The awards recognized their valued teamwork in securing America through Philadelphia.