Paula Abdul Causes Security Breach at Airport (bypasses securitycheckpoint?)

So what's not reported here is:


1) How was it determined that Abdul didn't go through a security
checkpoint? Was an airport employee stupid enough to admit
escorting Abdul around the checkpoints, or was it discovered
some other way?

2) Are you telling me that Vegas airport doesn't have a "behind-
the-scenes" screening station for VIP's in a back-room?

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http://ca.music.yahoo.com/read/news/30161026

Abdul Causes Security Breach at Airport

03/03/2006 8:21 PM, AP

Officials are investigating how "American Idol" celebrity judge Paula
Abdul breached security at Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport
when she boarded a plane without passing through a screening
checkpoint.

Aviation officials said Abdul and a companion bypassed the mandatory
screening process before boarding a 12:20 p.m. Thursday flight headed
for Burbank, Calif.

Federal Transportation Safety Administration officials were alerted to
the breach while the Southwest Airlines plane was in the air. When it
landed, all passengers and baggage were screened again before entering
the terminal at Bob Hope Airport, TSA spokeswoman Jessica Altschul
said.

"We're conducting an internal investigation to see who exactly was
responsible," she said. "We're getting conflicting reports."

Elaine Sanchez, a spokeswoman for McCarran Airport, said she could not
confirm reports that Abdul was led past security by an employee trying
to help the pop star avoid a swarm of fans.

Sanchez said airport police did not receive a call for assistance, as
is common when a celebrity draws a crowd.

An Abdul spokeswoman did not immediately return a call for comment.

The person responsible for leading Abdul past the checkpoint was not
employed by Southwest Airlines, the TSA or the Department of Aviation,
Sanchez said.

"It was a tenant employee," she said, adding that she could not name
the employer while the investigation was ongoing.

Sanchez said such a security breach at the airport were "atypical" and
that all passengers — including celebrities — are required to be
screened at public checkpoints.

"There are no secret doors," she said.