For the second time in two months, a JFK gate agent permits passengers arriving from Cancun to exit the airplane into the terminal instead of routing them downstairs to immigration and customs:
Article about the prior incident at JFK in November, 2015, also involving a CUN arrival:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/exclusive-150-flight-mexico-skip-customs-leave-jfk-article-1.2443629
After the November incident, an AA agent wrote on Flyertalk that the JFK agent who mistakenly let the passengers skip FIS was probably out of a job. Looks like the JFK agents should attend a refresher course in proper procedures for international arrivals.
The fear of terrorists slipping thru is overblown, however. The odds that a terrorist's flight would be allowed to skip FIS are microscopically low.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/jfk-allowed-passengers-exit-customs-article-1.2507437Passengers arriving at Kennedy Airport on an international flight were allowed to exit the busy hub without going through Customs for at least the second time in recent months, the Daily News has learned.
Bumbling airline and security officials let travelers on American Airlines Flight 1223 from Cancun, Mexico, out of the airport on Monday morning without having their passports or bags checked, sources told The News.
The security lapse mirrored a similar incident involving another American Airlines flight in November.
A 34-year-old man who had been in Cancun to attend three Phish concerts told The News he was able to glide from the plane to the baggage claim area without having to endure the usual maze of Customs and Border Protection security checks.
Its absolutely absurd, the business adviser said. To think that anyone could be walking off of that plane and just get right into the city. It could be terrorists, El Chapos henchmen, anyone.
Hours after the plane landed, American Airline officials pleaded with the Manhattan man and presumably other passengers to return to Kennedy and complete the customs process.
Article about the prior incident at JFK in November, 2015, also involving a CUN arrival:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/exclusive-150-flight-mexico-skip-customs-leave-jfk-article-1.2443629
After the November incident, an AA agent wrote on Flyertalk that the JFK agent who mistakenly let the passengers skip FIS was probably out of a job. Looks like the JFK agents should attend a refresher course in proper procedures for international arrivals.
The fear of terrorists slipping thru is overblown, however. The odds that a terrorist's flight would be allowed to skip FIS are microscopically low.