Paula Involved in Airport Security Breach

By TMZ STAFF

(Mar. 3, 2:50PM ET) -- Paula Abdul was in Las Vegas Thursday, scrambling to make it back to LA for the live telecast of 'American Idol' later that evening. We're told Abdul was running late for the Southwest Airlines flight, and it went from bad to worse when fans mobbed her as she tried to board the jet.

Sources tell TMZ that an airport skycap breached security by escorting Abdul and a companion to the plane, without going through security.

When the plane landed at Burbank airport, we're told Abdul and the other passengers were taken to security for a belated screening. Abdul arrived in time for Thursday's 'A.I.,' where she was true to form.

One official tells TMZ that in no way was this Abdul's fault. The official adds that the blame lies with airport personnel in Vegas.

A Southwest Airlines rep told TMZ there was indeed a security breach on a flight Thursday from Las Vegas to Burbank and that all the passengers had to be "reverse screened" when they arrived at Burbank.

The Federal Transportation Safety Administration confirmed to TMZ that Paula Abdul and a companion had bypassed security in Las Vegas. The TSA confirmed that a skycap was the one who breached security.

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