It’s not a bird and it’s not a plane, but a drone is a very dangerous thing to have in the air when it’s not supposed to be, as officials in New York and New Jersey would like to remind people after a spate of recent drone sightings. In the latest incident, crews on four different flights spotted a drone in the path of airplanes near Newark Airport on Sunday. [More]
airports
Parents: Remember To Check Your Kids’ Carry-On Bags Because Hatchets, Grenades Aren’t Allowed On Planes
By 8.7.15
Parents, we are not here to tell you how to be a parent. But might we suggest you oversee your child’s packing efforts before you head to the airport? You know, just in case said kid decides to include a dangerous weapon in their carry-on bag. [More]
Reminder: An Airport Runway Is Not A Safe Place To Drive, Intoxicated Or Not
By 8.6.15
It might be a tempting stretch of road, but the only wheels that should be hitting the runway at an airport belong to planes. In a recent example of such unsafe behavior, police say a drunk driver drove through fences and onto an active runway at the Louis Armstrong International Airport near New Orleans on Wednesday afternoon. [More]
New York Unveils Billion Dollar Overhaul Of LaGuardia Airport
By 7.28.15
It’s out with the old and in with the new at New York’s LaGuardia Airport… well, in four years, that is. [More]
Strikes Canceled By Security, Baggage Handlers At JFK, LaGuardia
By 7.22.15
Passengers set to fly in and out of New York’s LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports tonight and tomorrow no longer need to brace for travel disruptions related to a planned strike by contracted security workers, baggage handlers and wheelchair attendants, after the employees reached an agreement with their security services provider. [More]
Baggage Handlers, Security Workers Set To Strike At New York Airports, Could Disrupt Travel
By 7.21.15
The fight for higher wages could disrupt travel for Delta Air Lines and United Airlines passengers flying in and out of New York’s two largest airports starting Wednesday night, as a union representing some security workers, baggage handlers and wheelchair attendants approved a strike. [More]
Shirtless Guy Climbs Two Fences At San Diego Airport, Runs Onto A Runway
By 7.17.15
Though it’s no easy feat to scale a fence (at least, not easy for me), authorities at San Diego International Airport say a man managed to climb not one, but two security fences and ran onto a runway Thursday night. [More]
FAA Investigating Cluster Of 11 Laser Hits On Planes Flying Near Newark Airport
By 7.16.15
They might seem like harmless flashes of light to those of us on the ground, but lasers can seriously disrupt planes in flight, most notably when they hit pilots in the eyes, potentially causing injuries. That’s why the Federal Aviation Administration is taking reports of 11 separate laser incidents near Newark Liberty International Airport in one night very seriously. [More]
Oregonians Can Now Fly With Recreational Marijuana — As Long As They’re Traveling Within The State
By 7.9.15
The friendly skies over Oregon just got a bit friendlier to residents who don’t want to leave their weed at home: Airport officials at Portland International Airport said travelers can now legally board planes with up to an ounce of marijuana — for in-state flights only, of course. [More]
No Charges For Fired TSA Screeners Accused Of Conspiring To Grope Attractive Male Passengers
By 7.8.15
You might recall the tale of two Transportation Security Administration screeners who were accused of conspiring to tweak the system so they could give very thorough patdowns to the good-looking male travelers who passed through their post at the Denver Airport. But months after the workers were fired amidst allegations of a groping scheme, prosecutors have declined to file charges. [More]
Homeland Security Secretary Reassigns TSA Head, Tells Agency To Revise Airport Security Procedures
By 6.2.15
After yesterday’s report that undercover government agents were able to sneak mock explosives and weapons past Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at airports in 95% of tests, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is making some changes: He’s reassigned the acting administrator for the TSA and says he’s directed the agency to revise screening procedures “to address specific vulnerabilities identified” in the undercover operation. [More]
Report: TSA Agents Failed 67 Out Of 70 Undercover Tests
By 6.1.15
UPDATE: Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has since reassigned the head of TSA and directed the agency to address the vulnerabilities identified in the report. [More]
Sprint Customers Will Get Access To Free WiFi At 35 Airports In Deal With Boingo
By 4.30.15
When faced with wasting precious data allotments, many travelers submit to paying for WiFi on the go. But Sprint customers will find their wallets staying a bit fatter with new, free access to Boingo Wireless hotspots in 35 U.S. airports, starting today. [More]
Helicopter Group Claims Flight Restrictions In The Hamptons Are Unconstitutional
By 4.22.15
Though many well-to-do denizens of the Hamptons likely enjoy the comforts and convenience of a helicopter hither and thither to the popular Long Island weekend getaway destination, there have been so many complaints about noise from the aircraft that the local government has issued new restrictions on flights in the area. That isn’t going over well with the helicopter industry there. [More]
Portland Airport Hires 40 Goats And One Llama To Do Some Landscaping Work
By 4.15.15
You know what’s not fun for a human? Pulling scratchy thistles other invasive plants. You know what’s totally awesome for a goat? Eating scratchy thistles and other invasive plants. The Portland Airport has caught on to the obvious solution to its airfield landscaping needs, hiring 40 goats and a lone llama to munch away at the plants encroaching on runway space. [More]
Two TSA Screeners Fired For Allegedly Working Out System To Grope Attractive Male Passengers
By 4.14.15
When travelers are going through any airport security checkpoint, there’s an expectation that yes, the experience might be annoying, but that at least Transportation Security Administration screeners are going to behave professionally. A new report out of Denver says that expectation was not upheld by two screeners accused of working out how to tweak the system so that one worker could grope the genitals of attractive male travelers. [More]
Airports Propose Increasing Facility Fees To Pay For Infrastructure Improvements
By 3.24.15
With airlines introducing new fees for just about everything from reserved seats, carry on bags and even water, it appears that the actual airports are looking to get a piece of the action with a proposed increase to the passenger facility fee. [More]
TSA Busts Passenger Allegedly Trying To Fly With Bear Paws In His Luggage
By 3.23.15
We’ve heard many a tale of travelers accused of trying to move things they shouldn’t through the air in their luggage, attempts that are often thwarted by the Transportation Security Administration’s airport checkpoints. But while we’re used to hearing about concealed weapons or live wildlife, officials say one traveler allegedly upped the “what not to pack” ante by toting bear paws and other parts in his bags. [More]
