A man from Minneapolis is suing the Transportation Security Administration, claiming that the agency is responsible for him missing his flight.
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Hooman Nikizad is suing the TSA and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport for $506.85 after a 90-minute line forced him to miss his flight to Los Angeles.
Nikizad claims that he arrived at the airport on March 19 two hours before his flight was scheduled to depart, as recommended by TSA. However, he claims that security staff was woefully understaffed and that only one body scanner was being used to service the lengthy line.
"I had to buy a ticket with another airline to be able to make my destination and meet my obligations … The (airport) and TSA have done a very poor job of getting passengers through security,” he said in the suit.
According to Yahoo, Nikizad is seeking compensation for his new plane ticket, additional “ground transport expenses” and the $75 court fee to file the lawsuit.
Security lines have grown significantly in the past few months, as airline tickets have dropped for the summer months. The TSA recently replaced its head of security in the wake of long lines, and some airlines have paid to develop their own more efficient security procedures in some aiports.
According to Nikizad’s lawsuit, TSA head Peter Neffenger has visited the Minneapolis St. Paul aiport just eight days before his missed flight and “promised ‘you’ll see some real improvements in the very coming days.”
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.
