Two screeners reassigned over fake bomb incident
(CNN) -- Two baggage screeners have been reassigned pending the outcome of a federal investigation into how a bag containing a simulated bomb made its way aboard a Continental Airlines flight bound for Holland, a Transportation Security Administration official said Friday.
The screening manager and screening supervisor on duty during the test at Newark Airport in New Jersey were reassigned Wednesday, TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis said.
She said an investigation into the incident is ongoing and wouldn't say how long it might take.
"We want to cover all our bases," she said.
The luggage containing the fake bomb was lost on Tuesday after the bag was sent through a bomb detection machine, Davis said on Wednesday.
Although passengers were never at risk, the bag "should not have made it as far as the aircraft," she said at the time.
Davis said the test was part of a regularly conducted training exercise. The bag was recovered upon the flight's arrival in Amsterdam, Holland, she said.
Newark was one of the airports used by hijackers in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. United Flight 93, a Boeing 757 that crashed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, departed from the airport with 45 people aboard.
Former Federal Aviation Administration security chief Billie Vincent suggested Wednesday that if the screeners "knew it was a simulant, they may have let their guard down."
Continental Airlines declined to comment Friday.
Less than two weeks ago, national police in France conducted a similar test on an international flight bound for the United States. The explosive has yet to be found.
Police said the device cannot explode because it does not have a detonator.
CNN's Gary Tuchman, Jamie McShane and Lauren Rivera contributed to this report.
