Chicago Hires New Airport Security Chief After United Blunder -- Security Today

Chicago Hires New Airport Security Chief After United Blunder

Chicago's O'Hare International Airport was at the center of a PR nightmare after a man was dragged off a plane.

Jun 21, 2017

Chicago has hired a new security chief for its airports following the infamous United incident at O'Hare International Airport that left a man bruised and bloody after he refused to give up his seat.

The Chicago Department of Aviation said that Andrew Velasquez will be managing deputy commissioner for safety and security in charge of O'Hare and Midway international airports.

The department said Velasquez will oversee critical emergency responses and coordinate with federal, state and city agencies in addition to managing security at the airports.

Velasquez’s hiring comes two months after the previous head of airport security, Jeffrey Redding, was fired and as Chicago introduced changes to security protocols including officers will not gain entry to an aircraft because of a customer service matter.

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