Security Warnings Went Unheeded
Airports--Security measures--United States
Airline passenger security screening
Terrorism--United States--Prevention
A news article that discusses the many ways in which Brian Sullivan attempted to enact safer security measures at airports prior to the September 11, 2001 attacks. Sullivan, a former special agent for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), worked with a local television crew to expose gaps in security at Logan Airport in early 2001. Unfortunately, Sullivan's work did not provide the impetus to rework security measures, so in August 2001, he wrote a letter to Senator John Kerry to express his concerns. Kerry asked the Department of Transportation's Inspector General to investigate, but the FAA responded that they were continuing "to address security issues raised by the video presentation." Three weeks later, the September 11, 2001 attacks occurred.
Chris Hansen
NBC News
September 16, 2001
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
Exhibit 16 Checkpoint Operators Guide
Letter to President Bush from Elaine Kaplan
Airports--Security measures--United States
War on Terrorism, 2001-2009
A letter from Elaine Kaplan to President George Bush discusses the implications of allegations made by whistleblower Bogdan Dzakovic, a former Special Agent on the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Red Team, that officials within FAA's Civil Aviation Security Division did not accurately report on the findings of the Red Team. The letter includes copies of a report from the Office of Inspector General; a letter from Admiral James M. Loy, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security; and Dzakovic's comments.
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
March 18, 2003
Public Domain
Please Remove Your Shoes
Airports--Security measures--United States
Airline passenger security screening
Terrorism--United States--Prevention
Hijacking of aircraft
TWA Flight 847 Hijacking Incident, 1985
Pan Am Flight 103 Bombing Incident, 1988
September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001
War on Terrorism, 2001-2009
The film describes airport security measures prior to and after September 11, 2001 and discusses the failure of both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to adequately protect airline passengers. Includes information about TWA Flight 847, Pan Am Flight 103, Air France Flight 8968, the Bojinka plot, Northwest Airlines Flight 327, Northwest Airlines Flight 253, and activities of the Red Team.
2010
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
Copyright 2010
Criminal Acts Against Civil Aviation
Hijacking of aircraft
Airports--Security measures--United States
Terrorism--United States--Prevention
This report was published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Civil Aviation Authority. Included is a review of incidents against aviation across multiple geographic regions, an analysis of worldwide aviation incidents, an examination of the trends from 1996 through 2000 of worldwide civil aviation incidents, and attacks at airports. There are six different categories of aviation incidents listed: hijackings, airport attacks, general aviation commandeering, shooting at planes, charter aviation, and attempted bombing of aircraft. Statistical data is represented in pie chart form.
2000
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
Public Domain
Report of the Special Advisory Task Force on Massport
Airports--Security measures--United States
Terrorism--United States--Prevention
The findings of the task force on Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) presented to Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift on December 4, 2001. The findings call for enhanced security infrastructure and procedures within Massport, especially Logan International Airport. Security lapses at Logan International Airport that garnered significant media attention prior to September 11 are listed.
2001
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
Public Domain
Checkpoint Operations Guide (COG) Standard Operating Procedures
Airports--Security measures--United States
Airline passenger security screening
Terrorism--United States--Prevention
Checkpoint Operations Guide (COG) was produced by the Air Transport Association of America and the Regional Airline Association, and was designed to provide guidance for passenger screening procedures. Included are standard operating procedures on hand carried items, including contraband, restricted items, hazardous materials, weapons, and explosive devices. Special procedures, such as exceptional screening, special screening situations (private screenings; armed federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; and passengers under escort), and verifying photo identification are detailed. The requirements for full-duty screeners are listed. The second file in this item contains additional pages that include items specifically identified as not allowed past security checkpoints. These items include box cutters, mace, and pepper spray, all of which were used by the terrorists on 9/11.
Copyright 1994. Revised August 1999
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
Public Domain?
Testimony of James Miller, Jr. Regarding September 11 Litigation
Evidence
Witnesses
Airports--Security measures--United States
Airline passenger security screening
Terrorism--United States--Prevention
September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001
Pages 82 through 93 of interview of James Miller, Jr., conducted on May 23, 2008 by TC Reporting in affiliation with Merrill Corporation. Miller was asked about a co-worker who worked at the CTX machine, the necessity of screening all individuals who pass through security checkpoints, and complaints about flight crews not being properly screened. The majority of this portion of the interview discusses Miller's observation of a person or persons taking pictures at the main security checkpoint at Logan International Airport of the checkpoint itself, setup, and machines prior to September 11. Miller was supervisor to Theresa Spagnuolo.
May 23, 2008
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
Public Domain
Information Given by Theresa Spagnuolo During Interview Conducted by Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms Agent
Evidence
Witnesses
Airports--Security measures--United States
Airline passenger security screening
September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001
A synopsis of the interview of Theresa Spagnuolo, who worked as a pre-board screener at the American Airlines checkpoint in Logan International Airport, by Jeff Kerr, a special agent of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms. The synopsis discusses her awareness of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations on knives in carry-ons and her previous employment as a supervisor for Globe Aviation Services, American Airlines. Spagnuolo witnessed a man, whom she later identified as Mohamed Atta, video taping the main security checkpoint. She discussed the matter with her supervisor, James Miller.
September 29, 2001
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
Public Domain
Testimony of Stephen J. Wallace Regarding September 11 Litigation
Witnesses
September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001
Stephen Wallace recounts his observation of two middle eastern men while working at the Airport. He describes their actions, their dress and belongings, and his brief interaction with them.
July 17, 2007
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
Public Domain
Summary of Testimony given by Mr. Wallace to Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Witnesses
passenger security screening
September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001
Mr. Wallace gives testimony to his observations and experiences on May 10, 2001. He observed two middle eastern men photography and video taping security checkpoints. After engaging the two men, Mr. Wallace followed them to a security checkpoint before being called away.
September 29, 2001
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
Public Domain
A series of Meeting Minutes related to Logan International Airport's Security Consortium
Airports--Security measures--United States
passenger security screening
Terrorism--United States--Prevention
The first document is of the meeting of the Security Consortium at Logan International Airport and the creation of the Security Consortium Core Group. The subsequent documents are meeting minutes of the Core Group and their security improvements.
March 1999 - April 2001
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
Public Domain
Testimony of Thomas J. Kinton Jr. Regarding September 11 Litigation
Airports - Security measures - United States
passenger security screening, Evidence
September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001
This is a transcript of testimony given by Thomas J. Kinton Jr. about security at Logan International Airport. The locus of questions focus on security checkpoints.
January 25, 2011
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
Public Romain
A Memo from Joseph Lawless to Virginia Buckingham about Airport vulnerabilities.
Airports - Security measures - United States
passenger security screening
Terrorism - United States - Prevention
In this memo, Joseph Lawless informs Virginia Buckingham of airport vulnerabilities. While still in the early stages of their security assessment of all their facilities, Lawless identifies existing vulnerabilities in the Airport Operations Area (AOA).
April 27, 2001
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
Public Domain
"Physical Security Assessment: Boston Logan International Airport"
Post 9/11 FAA reports on security breaches
This FAA report gives an overview of the security at Boston Logan International Airport in the months prior to September 11, 2001. The reports argue that Boston Logan International Airport were as secure as any other airport in the country before 9/11 and overviews the security measures taken with passengers and their luggage before flights were to take off. The document also discusses further security measures that should be looked into to make Boston Logan and all other American airports safer for travel and less susceptible to terrorist attack.
November 6, 2001
Brian Sullivan
Public Domain
Transcript of FOX 25 News', May 6, 2001, Broadcast on Airport Security
News Broadcast before 9/11 that expressed concern over airport security
A transcript from a FOX 25 broadcast on airport security, which aired just months before the September 11th attacks. This transcript overviews the different ways in which the news station's investigators were able to get dangerous objects past security in Rhode Island and Massachusetts airports. The report concludes that airports were not secure enough and open for a hijackings or terrorist attack.
May 6, 2001
Brian Sullivan
Public Domain
Declaration of Mary Schiavo in Support of Plaintiffs Memorandum of Law in Opposition To the Massachusetts Port Authority's Motion for Summary Judgement
A Declaration of Mary Schiavo presenting evidence and exhibits on the FAA findings surrounding Boston International Airport before September 11th. This document is a listing of the exhibits presented to the Massachusetts Port Authority.
June 27, 2011
Brian Sullivan
Public Domain
Plaintiff Mary Bavis's Statement of Disputed Material Facts Pursuant to Local Rule 56.1
A Testimony account from Mary Bavis about security in Massport before and on September 11th. Bavis gives an overview of daily security procedures in the airport and on the planes between flights. Bavis also discusses the role of background checks of passengers and crew before 9/11.
June 25, 2011
Brian Sullivan
Public Domain
Affidavit of Michael K. Pilgrim
In his affidavit, security aviation specialist Michael K. Pilgrim gives a point-by-point synopsis of security at Boston Logan Airport before and after 9/11. Pilgrim attests that the airport had one of the most advanced security systems in the United States, even though it was still severely flawed and easy to manipulate.
June 25, 2011
Brian Sullivan
Public Domain
Plaintiff's Memorandum of Law in Opposition to the Massachusetts Port Authority's Motion for Summary Judgment
Airports--Security measures--United States
Airline passenger security screening
Terrorism--United States--Prevention
September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001
Plaintiff Mary Bevis filed this legal memorandum in response to defendant Massachusetts Port Authority's (Massport) motion for summary judgment. Bevis is claiming negligence on the part of Massport in not providing adequate security measures despite Massport's knowledge of previous failures of security.
June 24, 2011
Brian Sullivan, FAA Special Agent (Retired)
Public Domain