Why wait to get screened to cross the U.S. border at the actual border or even at an airport in America when you can just stretch that security arm across an ocean? The Department of Homeland Security is setting up shop at some foreign airports now, clearing passengers to cross the border before they even get on a plane. [More]
Appear In Ad Demanding Living-Wage Jobs, Lose Yours
By June 1, 2012
A longtime skycap for Delta Airlines at Seattle-Tacoma Airport appeared in an ad pushing for living-wage jobs for airport workers. The ad was produced by Working Washington, a coalition pushing for fair wages and benefits, and highlighted the low pay that workers tasked with keeping air travel clean and pleasant receive. Contract workers at that airport receive an average of $9.70 an hour. In a move that we’re sure is entirely coincidental, only three workers weren’t hired by the new contractor when Delta switched to a new one recently. The man who appeared in the ad is one of them. [More]
What Are The Worst Airports In The U.S.?
By May 2, 2012
Though La Guardia Airport is by far the least-busy of the three major airports in the NYC area, it managed to put a bad taste into enough travelers’ mouths to end up on the top of a new survey of the worst airports in the nation. [More]
TSA Allows Airports To Hire People Without Finishing Background Check
By April 26, 2012
While the TSA dare not let a hug-friendly 4-year-old go by without a pat-down, the agency is apparently just fine with allowing airports to hire new employees who haven’t gone through a complete background check yet. [More]
Four Airports That Were Terrible For Flight Connections In 2011
By April 5, 2012
The Holy Grail for many travelers is that winning combination of a great price on a plane ticket and no stopovers. Flying direct can save you the hassle and stress of missing a connection, but sometimes, you can save cold hard cash by booking your trip in legs. And it seems that some airports were better at helping passengers make those flights than others last year. [More]
Would Undercover Agents Prevent Baggage Theft At The Airport?
By March 28, 2012
After yesterday’s report that airport and airline staff are allegedly stealing more than 200 bags each day at JFK International, Senator Chuck Schumer has come up with a possible solution: Put undercover FAA agents in the bellies of those jets. [More]
Boston Airport Workers Hospitalized After Bag Emits Strange Odor
By March 26, 2012
Just a reminder, folks¬†– don’t pack potentially hazardous materials in your bags when catching a flight. Four workers at Logan International Airport in Boston were sent the hospital when a bag reportedly started emitting a strange odor. [More]
Some Of These Airports Just Aren't Like The Others: List Ranks The Best & Worst
By January 17, 2012
We’ve never had the pleasure of flying in or out of Hajj Terminal at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, so we can’t agree with or dispute one list’s ruling that it is in fact, the best in the world and will just trust the pros. But Chicago Midway Airport as the very worst of the worst in the entire world? [More]
Nintendo 3DS Gets Free WiFi At 42 Airports
By December 13, 2011
While people-watching, reading and nervously quadruple-checking your boarding pass are perfectly valid ways to pass the time before your flight boards, they pale in comparison to squeezing in a few online rounds of Mario Kart 7. Thanks to a deal between Nintendo and Boingo, 42 airports now have free 3DS WiFi hotspots. [More]
Baggage Handler: I Was Fired For Helping Sick Dog
By December 5, 2011
Usually when you see a Consumerist headline that involves a baggage handler and a pet, it means the furry friend is lost or dead. But here’s one that’s more uplifting… except for the fact that the handler says she was fired for doing a good deed. [More]
Bing Airport Maps Help You Find Overpriced Coffee While Waiting For Your Flight To Be Cancelled
By October 4, 2011
Some people really enjoy exploring airport terminals. They find a thrill in getting to know every newsstand, bar, food court and sandwich kiosk. For the remaining 99.9% of us, we just go to whatever is closest and hand over a pile of cash for a small bottle of water. But last week, Bing introduced a new feature on its maps search that helps users navigate the concourses of more than 40 U.S. airports. [More]
TSA Gives Breast Cancer Survivor Invasive Patdown After She Goes Through Scan
By October 3, 2011
A breast cancer survivor says she was forced to go through a patdown where TSA agents touched her breasts, even though she had already gone through the backscatter body scanner and had an ID card explaining the tissue expanders in her chest. [More]
TSA Rolling Out New Procedures For Fliers Under 12
By September 13, 2011
In the next few months, the TSA will implement new security procedures for fliers under 12, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano told the Senate. They can still get patted down, although it will be by a different method, and they no longer have to remove their shoes. Even if they have velcro straps and are super easy to take on and off anyway. [More]
TSA Will Phase Out Making You Take Your Shoes Off
By September 8, 2011
At some currently unspecified point down the road, you’ll be able to go through airport security without taking your shoes or belt off. The policy easement was announced by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano during a forum hosted by Politico Playbook in DC. [More]
VIP Airline Treatment For Sale
By September 6, 2011
If you’ve ever said, man, I would pay good money to go to the front of this airport security line, your time has come. [More]
40 Of 100 Most-Delayed Flights Take Off Or Land In Newark
By August 4, 2011
If you’re reading this story on your laptop or smartphone while waiting for a flight to or from Newark International Airport, we have some good and bad news. On one hand, there’s a decent chance your flight will be delayed. On the other, you’ll have plenty of time to file a complaint with the airline, airport and FAA. [More]
TSA Rolling Out Israeli-Style Behavior Detection
By July 29, 2011
The TSA might be asking you more questions when you go through security starting in August, and that’s a good thing. [More]
United Says Photographing Staff Could Get You On 'No Fly' List, Continental Says You Deserve An Apology
By July 28, 2011
Though United Airlines and Continental have been married for the better part of a year, the newlyweds haven’t begun to see eye-to-eye on everything. Take, for instance, a customer’s right to photograph a staffer’s name tag. United says it could get you banned from the airline and put on a “no fly” list, while Continental says that’s just not so. [More]
