Screener boards parents’ plane without ticket

updated 12:43 p.m. ET Dec. 7, 2007

NEW YORK - A security screener at Kennedy International Airport trying to see his parents off on a trip boarded their plane without a ticket or a boarding pass and was arrested, authorities said.

The man on Thursday boarded an Etihad Airways flight bound for the United Arab Emirates, and when the plane's doors shut, he notified a flight attendant, said Steve Coleman, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Port Authority police arrested the man on a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass, Coleman said. The man, who later was released, is a passenger and baggage screener for the Transportation Security Administration, agency spokeswoman Ann Davis said.

A telephone call to an airline spokesman was not immediately returned Thursday night.

Don't miss these Travel stories from msnbc.com 7 strategies for avoiding checked baggage fees Great things to do at the airport Say cheese! Parisians urged to smile The travel secrets of war reporters Images from around the world | Top-rated pic

MORE FROM NEWS

News Section Front

Hole in Southwest jet forces emergency landing Continental Airlines adds DirecTV on 15 planes French travel agency offers sunshine insurance NWA flight attendants challenge uniform sizes Passengers flee 747 after smoke fills cabin Airlines’ on-time marks improved in May Canadian’s song about United Airlines a hit Ex-airline worker 'mortified' over gun on plane Airfare from Hilo going up Jet returns to Calif. airport with engine problem News Section Front   Add News headlines to your news reader: