Subscribe Now

travelers today

Home » News

JFK Airport Evacuated Because of a Suspicious Paperweight

Travelers Today       By    Katie McFadden

Updated: Sep 28, 2012 06:07 PM EDT

Text Size: A A A

John F. Kennedy International Airport was briefly evacuated on Thursday due to a security scare. A customs agent thought he found a grenade in an international passenger's luggage. The grenade turned out to be a paperweight.

Terminal 4 of JFK airport was evacuated for a brief time when security thought there was an explosive grenade in an traveler's luggage. The terminal was shut down for less than an hour as police inspected the bag. The suspicious item in the bag was designed just like a grenade, but it was nothing more than a paperweight. The traveler from Moscow told police that he got it as a gift from a friend.

By 5:30 p.m., the terminal was reopened to passengers.

While the bag was searched out of an abundance of caution, travelers who didn't know what was going on.

"All the police started coming in and saying 'hold it.' And they said 'stop processing.' They were telling all the guys who work there," a man who had just returned from the Dominican Republic told WBCS 880. Some complained about receiving unclear directions when it came to evacuating.

Passengers on a flight that arrived at the airport after the terminal was closed were forced to stay on the plane, delaying their travel plans.

"They told us, 'Due to security reasons, we are unable to open the doors,' and we ended up staying for one and a half hours on the plane,"  Atef Glias told NBC 2.

Some passengers were shocked that an item that even looks like a grenade was allowed to fly with the man in the first place.

"Literally, we are strip-searched before we get on the plane, and to see this, unbelievable,"  one passenger waiting at the airport told NBC.

"Especially after 9/11, nowadays they don't even allow toothpaste. How could they allow something like that?"  Pramov Nednoor said.

The passenger that brought the paperweight went through secuirty when he boarded the plane in Moscow. It is not clear how the item was allowed to pass through security there.

It's not clear how the paperweight owner was able to pass security in Moscow with the item.

TSA agents typically do not allow items that look like real weapons on board planes. However, this isn't always true as a woman managed to get a gun passed TSA security.She flew from Florida to New Jersey with the loaded weapon.

NBC-2.com WBBH News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018

© 2023 Traverlers Today, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Join Our Conversation

Subscribe to our newsletter

Receive the latest travel news, reviews, and more..

Most Popular

6 Tips For Traveling With Young Children

6 Tips For Traveling With Young Children

Planning for a trip takes some time, even if it's just you g

How Traveling Can Make You Happy

How Traveling Can Make You Happy

If you have never traveled before but are thinking of doing so then

Scottish Islands: The Best Places to Reside!

Scottish Islands: The Best Places to Reside!

So there are a few islands that can be found off the Sco

How to Plan a Multi-Destination Honeymoon During COVID

How to Plan a Multi-Destination Honeymoon During COVID

You need to know how to plan appropriately and

7 Tips for Amazing Campus Visits

7 Tips for Amazing Campus Visits

A campus visit's significance could not be overstated. After all, fo

4 Tips For Curating The Perfect Gallery Wall

4 Tips For Curating The Perfect Gallery Wall

Having a gallery wall brings plenty of benefits to your

Water Travel Options That Don’t Involve a Cruise

Water Travel Options That Don’t Involve a Cruise

There is something equally relaxing and invigorati

Photo by Erik Odiin on Unsplash

Things That Will Help Cost-Conscious Vacationers Save Money

There are several ways you can significan

Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels

How to Make Vet Visits Affordable in 2022

If the situation is minor, you might be lucky and get away

Photo by Tim Samuel from Pexels

Know Your Florida Driving Rules

There is so much to do in the region, but we want to focus on some of

Photo by Ging Ang from Pexels

Holidaying in your own Country: Try these Fun Trips!

Many countries are opening their borders, but if

Photo by Jessica Lewis Creative from Pexels

The Best Tech Tools for Expats

Here’s a quick look at most versatile tech tools for expats on the m

Photo by Tobi from Pexels

How to Turn a Road Trip Into A Luxury Adventure

But a road trip doesn’t have to mean living on the

Australian Citizenship Test: Everything You Need to Know

Australian Citizenship Test: Everything You Need to Know

Do you want to become a citizen of Australia

Hair transplant Istanbul: Why is it so popular?

Hair Transplant Istanbul: Why is it so Popular?

Getting a hair transplant in Istanbul is affordable i

What’s Going on with Rental Cars Right Now?

What’s Going on with Rental Cars Right Now?

They are incredibly expensive, and they’re also in sh

Role of Professional companies in International Trade

Role of Professional companies in International Trade

International trade holds great importance in a

The 5 Best Wines from Germany

The 5 Best Wines from Germany

Riesling is Germany’s best-known wine, but the country makes other fi

Here's Why You Should Go Camping On Weekends

Here's Why You Should Go Camping On Weekends

There is nothing like the great outdoors –– natureâ€

The Best Tote Bags To Travel With in 2022

The Best Tote Bags To Travel With in 2022

Who knew you could pack your entire life away into one litt

7 Captivating Attractions for Kids in San Diego

7 Captivating Attractions for Kids in San Diego

San Diego is a magnificent place, and it would not be

travelers today

© 2023 TRAVELERS TODAY All rights reserved.

Subscribe to our newsletter
Real Time Analytics