Man Causes Flight Delays by Following Family into Airport Bathroom

A Georgia mother and her two children experienced a frightening encounter at Washington Dulles International Airport on August 2, when a man followed them into a bathroom and onto a Delta flight without a valid boarding pass. Lauren Benton reported feeling increasingly alarmed as the man trailed her family near their gate, prompting her to take action to ensure her children's safety. The situation escalated when he entered the women’s restroom with Benton and her daughter, leading her to alert a flight attendant. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the man had a boarding pass for a different Delta flight on the same day. Consequently, he was removed from the aircraft, and the plane was evacuated for a security sweep that lasted nearly two hours. Benton expressed her concerns about safety in a post-9/11 world, questioning how such an incident could occur and emphasizing the need for better security measures. Authorities indicated that the man appeared to have mental health issues and had passed through security with a valid ID. However, he was not charged with any crime. Benton acknowledged the broader mental health crisis in the U.S. but insisted that it should not compromise her family's safety. Delta Airlines is currently investigating the incident to understand how the man managed to board the flight without the appropriate pass. The airline stated that it has protocols in place to verify passengers before departure and is working with airport authorities to address the situation.