Serial Stowaway Arrested a 10th Time

Knowledge Nuggets:

• Marilyn Hartman, known as the “Serial Stowaway,” was arrested for the 10th time after successfully evading TSA agents at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport and boarding a London-bound British Airways flight without a ticket or passport.
• Hartman was seen wandering around O’Hare airport for two days before blending in with passengers and boarding the flight. She hid in the airplane bathroom until the other passengers were boarded and then found an empty seat.
• The flight crew noticed an extra passenger on board, and British Airways alerted Heathrow Airport in London. Upon arrival, all passengers were asked to produce their passports, and Hartman was detained when she was unable to do so.

How Does Marilyn Hartman Keep Evading TSA Agents?

Marilyn Hartman, also known as the “Serial Stowaway,” has managed to evade TSA agents ten times over the past four years. While most people can’t even get through security once without something going wrong, Hartman has succeeded in boarding multiple flights without a ticket or passport. Her most recent feat was boarding a London-bound British Airways flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport without proper credentials.

Hartman’s exact methods for evading TSA agents and gate agents remain a mystery, but security footage shows her being screened at a security checkpoint. Chicago police have not made it clear how she was able to get through the checkpoint without a plane ticket.

Hartman’s repeated attempts at stowing away have raised serious concerns about airport security. How can someone repeatedly evade TSA agents and board a flight without proper credentials? This is a serious breach of security that could potentially endanger other passengers.

Hartman’s previous arrests for stowing away resulted in her release on probation to a Chicago-area nursing home, but it is not clear what the terms of her probation were or if she was still on probation at the time of her most recent arrest.

In light of this incident, it is imperative that airport security measures be re-evaluated to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The safety and security of airline passengers should be of utmost importance, and any breach of security should be taken seriously and dealt with swiftly.

Historical Similarities:

There have been a few cases of people attempting to stowaway on planes, but none have had as many successful attempts as Marilyn Hartman, the “Serial Stowaway.” One notable case is that of the late Richard Russell, who stole a Horizon Air turboprop plane in 2018 and performed aerobatic maneuvers before crashing and dying near Seattle. Russell, who worked as a ground service agent at the airport, did not have a pilot’s license and was able to steal the plane by using his knowledge of airport procedures.

Another similar case is that of Mehran Karimi Nasseri, also known as “Sir Alfred,” who lived in the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris for 18 years between 1988 and 2006. Nasseri, an Iranian refugee, had lost his refugee papers and was unable to enter France or be deported. He eventually became known as “the man without a country” and his story inspired the film “The Terminal,” starring Tom Hanks.

While there have been cases of people attempting to stowaway on planes or living in airports, Marilyn Hartman’s repeated successful attempts to board flights without proper credentials make her case unique.

source: AllThatsInteresting