(PORTLAND, OREGON, UNITED STATES) The Transportation Security Administration is reviewing airport security procedures after a passenger passed through screening at Portland International Airport (PDX) with a meat cleaver in a carry‑on bag and boarded a Delta Air Lines flight to Salt Lake City on the evening of Thursday, November 13, 2025.
The incident, which officials later described as a serious security failure, was only discovered after the traveler had cleared the TSA checkpoint and taken a seat on the aircraft. All passengers were forced to leave the plane and submit to a second round of screening before the flight could depart.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | November 13, 2025 |
| Airport | Portland International Airport (PDX) |
| Airline / route | Delta Air Lines — PDX to Salt Lake City |
| Weapon | Meat cleaver (blade size not publicly disclosed) |
| Outcome | Plane emptied, all passengers re‑screened; no arrests, no injuries reported |
| Status | TSA internal review underway (as of November 18, 2025) |
How the incident unfolded
Officials say the passenger passed through the main TSA checkpoint at PDX, placed the carry‑on in the cabin, and only after boarding did the presence of the meat cleaver come to light.
The discovery prompted the following immediate actions:
- Port of Portland police were called to the gate.
- Airline and security personnel removed every passenger from the aircraft.
- A complete rescreening of all passengers and carry‑on bags took place before the flight could be cleared to depart.
Although the size of the blade has not been disclosed, officials emphasized that any weapon of that nature inside an aircraft cabin is a serious breach of security rules.
TSA response and internal review
TSA regional spokesperson Jessica Mayle said the agency is treating the case “very seriously” and has launched a detailed review to determine how the meat cleaver was missed during screening.
“The agency is treating the case very seriously,” — Jessica Mayle (TSA regional spokesperson)
The ongoing review may include:
- Examination of X‑ray images and other screening lane records
- Review of staffing levels, training logs, and communication at PDX
- Possible “appropriate corrective action,” such as extra training sessions or procedural adjustments
Officials have not yet said whether individual officers will face discipline, and no specific changes to screening rules or passenger guidance at PDX have been announced as of November 18, 2025.
Operational and passenger impacts
The discovery created anxious moments for travelers who had already settled in for the evening departure. Reported immediate impacts:
- All passengers required to re‑line at security and undergo a second screening
- Potential delays affecting connections, hotels, work, or family plans
- No public identification of the passenger carrying the meat cleaver
- No explanation released publicly about whether the passenger claimed it was forgotten or offered another reason
Passengers at PDX described the episode as a reminder to double‑check what they pack, particularly when placing items in carry‑on bags.
Security posture and public confidence
TSA officials said the broader security posture remains unchanged while the investigation continues. They stressed that lessons from the Portland case will inform future staff training and screening practices.
The agency emphasized that in this incident its response was to pause the flight, clear the aircraft, and begin screening again to ensure no other prohibited items remained on board.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, incidents like this can unsettle travelers — both U.S. citizens and foreign visitors — who rely on screening at busy gateways such as Portland International Airport (PDX), even when there are no injuries or arrests.
Guidance for travelers
Travelers seeking official information about permitted items in carry‑on or checked luggage are directed to the official TSA guidance:
- Read current security guidance and updates on screening procedures at the TSA website, which is the main public source of security information for airports such as PDX.
What remains unknown
- The exact size of the blade has not been released.
- Whether the passenger provided an explanation (e.g., claiming they forgot the item was in the bag) has not been disclosed.
- The duration of the delay before the aircraft was cleared to depart has not been stated.
Next steps and expectations
- TSA’s internal review will continue beyond the initial week after the November 13 incident.
- The agency faces pressure to demonstrate that a weapon as obvious as a meat cleaver will not slip through screening again.
- Findings from the review are expected to influence training, staffing, and procedural decisions at PDX to restore and reinforce public trust in the screening system.
Key takeaway: TSA paused the flight, cleared the plane, and re‑screened all passengers — and is now conducting an internal review to determine how the breach occurred and what corrective steps are needed.
This Article in a Nutshell
On November 13, 2025, a passenger passed TSA screening at Portland International Airport with a meat cleaver and boarded a Delta flight to Salt Lake City. The weapon was discovered after boarding, forcing the plane to be emptied and all passengers and carry‑ons to be re‑screened. No arrests or injuries were reported. TSA launched an internal review by November 18 to examine X‑ray images, staffing, training and communications to determine how the breach occurred and what corrective actions are needed.
