Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 318
Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Security
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
My A-Flight Attendant brought to my attention that a passenger had deplaned after boarding and was concerned why the passenger had deplaned. He asked me to bring it to the attention of the Ops Agent. When the Ops Agent came to the flight deck; I inquired about the passenger who had deplaned. He told me it was the mother of an unaccompanied minor and a young traveler. She had asked the Agent if she could escort them to their seats. The mother had a security document and had processed through the TSA checkpoint with her two children. The A-Flight Attendant believed this was irregular; but if I was satisfied with the explanation; so was he. We secured the forward entry door and departed. No issue was brought up to my attention by the other FAs. At cruise (about an hour and 15 into the flight) the C-Flight Attendant entered the cabin and told me she was uncomfortable with the mother boarding her two children and felt it was a security issue. I informed her if she believed it was a security issue and was uncomfortable with the explanation provided at the gate; she should have raised her concern to either the lead A-Flight Attendant or me back at the gate before we departed. Both the A Flight Attendant and I were satisfied with the explanation provided by our Ops Agent and did not feel we had a security issue. If a flight attendant feels that the Lead FA is not communicating their concerns to the Captain; he/she should take action at the moment and inform the Captain directly.
We had ten minutes left in our boarding process. I notice a passenger running off the aircraft. When I informed her that she was not allowed to leave the aircraft she then stated that she was not a passenger and that she was escorting someone else onto the plane. I then tried to communicate with her to find out who she escorted on the aircraft but she kept running up the jetway. I immediately notified the Captain. I then spoke with the Ops Agent who allow the person to board the aircraft without a boarding pass. I informed him that this was against Security Policies. He said 'I don't care. They can fire me. Put the blame on me' he stated. The Flight Crew was not informed about a non-ticketed person boarding the aircraft to escort a passenger. Everyone should have been taken off the aircraft and a sweep should have been done. The Captain made the decision to still leave on schedule after informing him of the situation. Never let an unescorted person on the aircraft without being ticketed not knowing who they are or what they could have left on the aircraft.
Air carrier crew reported concern over a potential security risk when an individual was allowed to escort children on board the aircraft then leave the aircraft.