Travel Briefs

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

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Baggage sits in the special events parking lot, Thursday, May 12, 2016, at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. More than 3,000 checked bags missed their outbound flights in Phoenix because of a problem with a screening system at Sky Harbor International Airport, officials with Transportation Security Administration said. (Mark Henle/The Republic via AP) MARICOPA COUNTY OUT, NO SALES (The Associated Press)

Baggage sits in the special events parking lot, Thursday, May 12, 2016, at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. More than 3,000 checked bags missed their outbound flights in Phoenix because of a problem with a screening system at Sky Harbor International Airport, officials with Transportation Security Administration said. (Mark Henle/The Republic via AP) MARICOPA COUNTY OUT, NO SALES (The Associated Press)

In this Thursday, May 12, 2016 photo workers put passenger luggage on a semi truck at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix. More than 3,000 checked bags missed their outbound flights in Phoenix because of a problem with a screening system at The airport officials with Transportation Security Administration said. (AP Photo/Anna Johnson) (The Associated Press)

The Transportation Security Administration says more than 3,000 bags checked bags missed their outbound flights in Phoenix because of a problem with a screening system.

TSA spokesman Nico Melendez says the technical issue began about 6:45 a.m. Thursday at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

There's no estimate on when the problem will be fixed.

Sky Harbor officials say they're advising passengers to avoid checking luggage if possible.

Melendez says TSA is working with its airline and airport partners and using alternative screening tools to screen bags, though those methods aren't as efficient as their automated system.

Melendez also says TSA is bringing additional canine units from other airports and bringing in network specialists to address the situation and screen all bags.