Union ‘sickened’ by airport machete attack

The union that represents Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees said it is “sickened” by an attack on two of the agency’s workers at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport last week. 

The employees were injured by a machete-wielding man who charged a security checkpoint at the airport before he was shot by police officers. 

American Federation of Government Employees J. David Cox President said the attack on the TSA employees was senseless. 

{mosads}“We are sickened by the mindlessness and ferocity of this attack on TSA officers,” he said in a statement. “TSOs go to work every day to keep our nation safe from violent individuals who look to inflict harm on the flying public. All too often, TSOs become the targets of violence themselves, both verbal and physical.” 

Police officers identified the attacker as 63-year-old taxi driver Richard White who sprayed wasp spray at a TSA agent, then produced a machete and cut another agent. A police officer shot him shortly after. White later died at a New Orleans hospital.

Cox said the New Orleans incident showed the need to boost security for TSA agents, who are unarmed at airport checkpoints.  

“As we learned in Los Angeles, and now in New Orleans, TSOs and the passengers they protect need greater law enforcement support at the checkpoint and other key locations,” he said. “Only then can we hope to prevent another tragedy, or stop it before people are injured.

“For years, AFGE has advocated for a new law enforcement unit within TSA, specially trained and armed to respond to such attacks, and for other safety measures at screening checkpoints,” Cox continued. “We applaud the response of law enforcement officers who ended [Friday’s] attack in New Orleans, but many other airports are not prepared to respond as quickly or as effectively.” 

Cox said the New Orleans attack “is a sad reminder of what more needs to be done to keep the flying public safe. 

“AFGE wishes a swift recovery to the brave officers involved, and our union will keep fighting to make our airports a safe place to work and travel,” he said. 

-Elliot Smilowitz contributed to this report.