Woman facing $3,000 fine after retrieving stroller from restricted area at Latrobe airport

LATROBE, Pa. — A woman is facing a hefty fine after she walked into a restricted area at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe to retrieve her son’s stroller.

The incident happened last month when Katie Sciulli and her family were returning from Myrtle Beach.

“Usually, when you gate-check a stroller, it's available immediately,” Sciulli said. “Ours was not there.”

After waiting a few minutes, Sciulli said she walked about 10 to 15 steps through a door to get the stroller, failing to realize she was entering a restricted area. She said she didn’t see the signs.

“I opened it up and walked back. All of that maybe took 45 seconds,” she said.

Sciulli told Channel 11 News that no one stopped her from getting the stroller and no alarm went off when the door was opened. However, someone said something on her way back.

“As I’m passing, the gentleman says, ‘You ever do that again and you could be arrested,’” Sciulli said.

She later received a letter from the Transportation Security Administration indicating that she could be fined up to $3,000. The TSA told Channel 11 News that it’s standard for anyone who re-enters a secure area, which is a federal violation.

Arnold Palmer Regional Airport Executive Director Gabe Monzo said the incident was a mistake on the airport’s part. He said there has been new training since, but the airport could be fined up to $11,000.

“There are real crimes to deal with and I feel like all I did was get my stroller, and here I am facing up to $3,000 in a fine,” Sciulli said.

Cox Media Group