Imagine settling into your plush first class seat, ready for takeoff, when suddenly, law enforcement boards the plane and escorts a fellow passenger off in handcuffs…with no alcohol or other nasty beahvior involved. That’s precisely what happened on a recent United Airlines flight departing from Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
First Class Faux Pas: When A Loaded Glock Earns You A One-Way Ticket Off the Plane
On April 15, 2025, 53-year-old Besnik Ismajlaj from St. Charles, Illinois, managed to pass through TSA security with a loaded Glock 9mm semiautomatic pistol in his carry-on. The incident occurred during a shift change at Terminal 1’s Security Checkpoint 2. Although a screener identified the firearm on the X-ray machine, Ismajlaj retrieved his bag and proceeded to his flight before the weapon could be confiscated .
Bodycam footage released by Chicago police captures the moment officers boarded the aircraft, approached Ismajlaj in first class, and questioned him. When asked if he knew why they were there, he calmly replied, “Yeah, it’s in my bag.” He claimed to have forgotten the gun was in his backpack. Upon inspection, officers found the loaded firearm in an easily accessible front pocket .
Ismajlaj, who holds an Illinois concealed carry permit, was charged with a misdemeanor for carrying a concealed firearm at the airport. Federal law prohibits passengers from bringing loaded firearms into secured areas of an airport or onto aircraft. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 9, 2025.
But you know who should also appaer in court? The TSA officers who let this by…
CONCLUSION
This incident highlights a significant lapse in airport security protocols and raises concerns about the effectiveness of TSA procedures during shift changes. Yes, the guy should be held accountable for bringing the gun onboard…igorance is not a defense. But it’s time told TSA officers accountable for such blatant lapses…it’s absolute incompetence.
(Hat Tip: View From The Wing)
At least he was calm and cooperative. Not sure why they had to go and release all the footage.
It’s probably the #1 reason given by folks, “I forgot I had it in my [purse, bag, backpack]”. It’s just wild and also how did it get “flagged” but still come out for passenger to pick up and continue on. Very suss.
It happens. I was given a K-BAR in Parris Island and took it home in my carry-on by mistake. TSA never questioned me.