Congressman says stowaway points to need for airport perimeter security improvements

5/2/2014

Rep. Eric Swalwell D-Calif, holds a news conference at the San Jose International Airport on Friday, May 2, 2014, in San Jose. Almost two weeks after a California teen survived a stowaway flight in a jet wheel well to Hawaii, Swalwell did his own perimeter tour of San Jose International Airport where authorities have yet to say if they know where their security was breached. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN JOSE, Calif. — California Congressman Eric Swalwell says a teen stowaway who flew to Hawaii in a jet wheel well should never have been able to climb the San Jose International Airport fence undetected.

Swalwell said today he’s asking the Transportation Security Administration to test perimeter alert systems at several U.S. airports to see if technology can help prevent future breaches.

Yahya Abdi of Santa Clara, California, survived the April 20 trip to Hawaii.

After touring San Jose airport’s perimeter, Swalwell said no video has surfaced confirming the teen’s claim he climbed the fence, nor are there signs of where he went over.

Swalwell says airport officials told him they already are increasing video surveillance. But he says there simply isn’t enough manpower to watch all the video feeds.