Marilyn Hartman, Airplane Stowaway, Arrested Again

Marilyn Hartman, 62, was arrested at Sky Harbor Airport in Arizona for trespassing once again. When she was arrested on Wednesday (her eighth arrest for this behavior), she had been released only a few days from jail in Los Angeles where she served three days of a 177 day sentence for trespassing at LAX.

Hartman lingers in airports without a ticket, which is, technically, trespassing. Airport personnel at both Sky Harbor and LAX had spoken to and warned her before, but to no avail. She would even go as far as attempt to board flights but had been stopped on numerous occasions. However, Hartman escalated the situation when she managed to get past security checks and stowaway on a flight from San Jose to LAX.

Hartman The Whistleblower

Hartman has released a number of rambling statements of late, leading to many to suspect her of being mentally ill. She is being treated for depression and is being given mental health evaluation following this latest arrest. Hartman has also self-diagnosed herself with “Whistleblower Trauma Syndrome,” an illness she made up, stemming from an alleged incident taking place in Chicago 23 years ago, when she blew the whistle on a corrupt lawyer. She says that this act has led to long term consequences for her, including several bouts of homelessness.

Hartman claims that these latest incidents at airports have been part of her latest whistleblower mission to highlight the lack of security provided by the TSA.

"Why has the government allowed me to get past security points until I forced the issue back in February and pretty much had to beg to be arrested," Hartman is quoted as saying.

Hartman has been doing this for quite a while. In a 2012 blog post she said this:

“Twenty-three years ago, I proceeded with a decision that led to long-term consequences and many short-term housing arrangements. I have slipped through tight security spots in order to fly to another city without a plane ticket, and inexplicably let go after authorities discussed the matter among themselves.”