We’ve all heard of banned items slipping past airport security – but it’s a heckuva lot easier if you skip the screening process altogether - with the help of an airline employee.

This seems to be what happened during an incident in Philadelphia yesterday.

According to MSNBC and AP reports, a US Airways customer service rep brought a bag with a handgun in it through the employees’ entrance, knowing it would not be screened there– then carried it to the gate where he and a Phoenix-bound passenger exchanged bags. The passenger then boarded the plane with the gun.

A little back story: the gun was properly registered to the passenger, and was unloaded. The incident began when he asked the US Airways employee – the two men were roommates – what the procedure was for transporting a gun on a plane. Why they allegedly decided not to follow proper procedures is anybody’s guess. Laziness?

The plan unraveled when another passenger noticed the switch, and thought the employee was acting suspiciously. The plane, which had already left the gate, was called back.

At last report, the roomies were in federal custody – and the FBI is investigating.

That’s some security loophole, huh? Readers – your thoughts?