A DoorDash driver triggered a major security alert at O'Hare International Airport on May 17 after straying onto restricted runways, per CBS Chicago. The 36-year-old man reportedly drove miles through secured areas, possibly crossing active runways, before air traffic controllers spotted him.
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The incident, deemed an honest mistake, raised fresh concerns about airport safety at one of the nation's busiest hubs.
Driver Makes Very Wrong Turn
Around noon on Saturday, the driver entered unauthorized zones, navigating interior roads near planes. A controller in the air traffic tower noticed the red car near United Airlines Gate C16, prompting a swift response from Chicago police and aviation security.
"This could have been really, really bad," said Robert Mark, a former air traffic controller and business jet pilot. He noted that at night, headlights blend together, making such intrusions harder to detect.
Police investigated and concluded the driver's actions were accidental. No charges or citations were filed. DoorDash called it "a case of a driver getting lost" and is working with authorities to review the incident. It remains unclear if the delivery reached its destination or who placed the order.
O'Hare's Ongoing Safety Challenges
The breach follows a string of security incidents at O'Hare and Midway airports. On April 15, police arrested a passenger carrying a concealed firearm on a United Airlines flight. On February 25, a Southwest Airlines plane at Midway aborted its landing when a private jet crossed its path. Last December, a stowaway was found dead in a United plane's wheel well after departing O'Hare.
The Federal Aviation Administration has flagged runway incursions as a growing concern. In 2024, it audited 45 major U.S. airports, including O'Hare, citing outdated technology and staffing shortages as risks, CBS reported.
The FAA plans to install runway incursion detection systems at 74 airports, with four already equipped. O'Hare's security, managed by Chicago police, faces scrutiny amid these incidents. The Chicago Department of Aviation stressed safety as its top priority, noting that no operational disruptions occurred.
But no matter how you spin it, this bizarre episode shows the need for tighter access controls. As investigations continue, O'Hare officials have said they're aiming to strengthen protocols to keep runways secure and travelers safe.
