US: 3,000 checked bags miss flights leaving Phoenix airport

More than 3,000 checked bags missed their outbound flights in Phoenix on Thursday because of a problem with a screening system at Sky Harbor International Airport, officials with Transportation Security Administration said. "TSA is experiencing significant, unprecedented technical issues with its computer server allowing the automated screening of checked bags for explosives," TSA spokesman Nico Melendez said. Melendez didn't elaborate on the problem, which began about 6:45 a.m. and only affected Sky Harbor. There was no immediate timetable for the problem to be fixed. But Melendez said TSA hoped to be back online shortly and that it wasn't a safety issue. "TSA is working diligently with our airline and airport partners and using alternative screening tools to screen bags, though that method are not as efficient as our automated system," Melendez added. "TSA is currently bringing additional canine units from other airports and bringing in network specialists to address the situation and keep passengers safe and screen all bags."<br/>