X-ray glitch snarls Nashville's airport
Items compiled from Chicago Tribune news services
Published April 2, 2006
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE -- A software glitch knocked out computerized X-ray machines at Nashville International Airport for five hours Friday, causing long lines and flight delays while officials searched bags by hand.
None of the Smiths Heimann X-ray detectors at the Nashville airport's two screening checkpoints was operating when security operations were scheduled to open for the day at 3:30 a.m., said David Beecroft, who oversees security operations at the airport for the Transportation Security Administration.
Officials believe the problem occurred when upgrades to the X-ray machine software were installed, TSA spokeswoman Laura Uselding said.
The same software is used in 450 commercial airports in the U.S., but no other airport reported similar problems, she said.
Lines of hundreds of passengers snaked outside the terminal and into the parking areas. About 9,000 to 11,000 people use the airport every day.
None of the Smiths Heimann X-ray detectors at the Nashville airport's two screening checkpoints was operating when security operations were scheduled to open for the day at 3:30 a.m., said David Beecroft, who oversees security operations at the airport for the Transportation Security Administration.
Officials believe the problem occurred when upgrades to the X-ray machine software were installed, TSA spokeswoman Laura Uselding said.
The same software is used in 450 commercial airports in the U.S., but no other airport reported similar problems, she said.
Lines of hundreds of passengers snaked outside the terminal and into the parking areas. About 9,000 to 11,000 people use the airport every day.
