Argenbright Security replaced at O'Hare checkpoint after security lapse

CHICAGO (AP) _ Troubled firm Argenbright Security has been replaced at American Airlines' busiest screening checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport. <br><br>The move comes almost three weeks

Wednesday, March 20th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CHICAGO (AP) _ Troubled firm Argenbright Security has been replaced at American Airlines' busiest screening checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport.

The move comes almost three weeks after an Argenbright worker accidentally unplugged a metal detector in American's terminal at O'Hare. The lapse prompted the airport to have thousands of travelers re-screened.

Argenbright was replaced by Globe Security on Monday at the checkpoint for Terminal Three's H and K concourses, where the Feb. 28 unplugging accident happened, American spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan said.

Fagan said Argenbright was replaced by Globe at another American checkpoint on Feb. 4. A third American checkpoint previously had been manned by Globe, she said.

Argenbright has been under fire since it was learned that its workers staffed security checkpoints where two planes hijacked on Sept. 11 departed.

Since then, there have been other incidents, including one in November in which a man was able to pass through a checkpoint at O'Hare with knives and a stun gun.