Turbulence over controversial aircraft inspection continues

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration Thursday ramped up its quarrel with American Airlines over a controversial inspection at O'Hare International Airport by starting an inquiry into what it called multiple security violations.

The brouhaha started Tuesday when a TSA inspector used sensitive equipment on unattended American Eagle planes to pull himself up onto nearby jet bridges and gain access to seven aircraft.

The equipment, known as a total air temperature probe, provides vital information to an airplane's computers. As a result, American mechanics were called in to look over the probes to ensure the Eagles were airworthy, resulting in about 40 delays and inconveniencing hundreds of fliers.

American has called the inspector's actions unorthodox and suggested if a mechanic hadn't seen the inspector handling the probes, it might have jeopardized the safety of the passengers and crews.

Thursday, the TSA pushed back, saying it stood behind an employee who was trying to ensure planes weren't vulnerable to terrorists.

"The aircraft needs to be secure," agency spokesman Elio Montenegra said. Jet bridges should be far enough away from airplanes that no one could use them to gain entry, he said.

The TSA charged that American Eagles have repeatedly not been properly secured at O'Hare between July 2005 and March 2008. The agency can assess a fine of up to $25,000 per aircraft.

Meanwhile, aviation experts criticized the agency inspector for handling the TAT probe.

"In general, we appreciate TSA support for security of aircraft," American pilot Dennis Tajer said. "But it's quite obvious, this inspector was not properly trained."

If a plane has been operating for a while, TAT probes can be extremely hot. "It's fortunate for him, the aircraft had not recently been operating," said Tajer, who is also spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association.

The TSA acknowledged the inspector should not have used the probe and has issued instructions to staff to be careful with exterior parts on aircraft.