I first wrote about Marilyn Hartman, also known as the "serial stowaway," in 2014. At this point she has been found trespassing at airports dozens of times. Often she has successfully managed to get past security and even board flights without tickets, which says a lot about our (lack of) security. Over the years details…
Continue reading: Serial Stowaway Found At Chicago O’Hare Twice Within Days
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
One might wonder whether her photo was previously posted at every TSA checkpoint and inside every office at O'Hare, and if it wasn't then whether it will be now.
Not saying she hasn't a mental issue, but I get the impression that that's only part of the explanation for such behaviour.
I remember you writing about her back then and your generous offer to book her an award ticket to Hawaii. I'm guessing she never took you up on that offer.
Either way, she clearly has mental issues and I hope she'll be ok. Back then she had an apt in SFO but I guess she's homeless now? 🙁
Obviously she needs help and is most likely lonely. If anyone remembers the movie "Airport" from 1970 Helen Hayes played the role of an elderly lady who stowed away on flights all the time. She employed a list of different schemes to get on board. Of course this was pre metal detectors and security that we have today. She may have seen this movie years ago and it stuck with her.
Can't blame her for seeing the airport as a safe place to be. There are restrooms, it's temperature controlled, and anyone with a bag can blend in. I'd have added "security" to that list, but that might sound contradictory, considering the story. SFO use to have issues with homeless at the airport. They often got into fights over the rental luggage carts. But that was back when you actually got a quarter back when returning them, vs the token they give now, if at all.
I wonder how she keeps getting by the agency that fails 95% of their tests...?
Yes metal detectors were in use in the early 1970's but not in 1970. Also this movie was most likely produced in 1969 and the bomber of the plane simply boarded.
The system isn’t failing her, she just missed her calling: airport security consultant.
If I were homeless, I would consider airports. It's generally safe and there aren't many threatening people, unless bus stations and under bridges. It's warm. Unlike libraries, some airports open 24 hours. SFO and LAX might be good choices. SEA can be a bit cold and the airport may not be big enough to be anonymous but you can earn 25 cents by returning abandoned Smarte Carts.
I once had a long layover at IAH and must have earned about $4 by returning carts.
if this were a man he would not be "serial" anything, he would be in prison. Its called the P*$$y Pass. Part of our male privilege is getting thrown in jail for breaking the law. But yes its unfortunate.
From a CNN article....
"Reporters who have followed her arrests said the success of her evasive maneuvers depends on her ability to blend into a crowd as a seemingly harmless, elderly white woman. She employs tactics like ducking under ropes, keeping her head down, piggybacking on small groups, and using other passengers' discarded boarding passes, Joe Eskenazi wrote in The Guardian last week."
I don't think TSA needs to specifically post a photo of her at every checkpoint. Almost everyone who lives in Chicagoland knows what she looks like since it's been a story featured in all the local news outlets. Just thank goodness she doesn't have malicious intent. It's disgraceful how easy it is for her to slip past all the checks.
A news organization needs to hire her then put a hidden camera on to show how useless the TSA really is. Why isn't anyone asking how this lady continues to get by the idiot smurfs at security? Shouldn't their repeated failures be the focus?
All the security started after the Palestinian terrorists hijacked 3 or 4 planes and took them to somewhere in Jordan and demanded a lot of things in Sept. 1969 or 70. It was a rude awakening
This just continues to prove that TSA needs to be disbanded. If a little old, mentally-unstable woman can get past TSA multiple times, and even onto a longhaul flight, true terrorists wouldn't have an issue doing similar if they felt so motivated.
Got to love that super strict airport security.
I work in a small hotel 28 rooms and our security is more effective.