As a wise uncle to a superhero once said, “with great power comes great responsibility.” Unfortunately, some folks succumb to the temptation to use that power for their own profit. According to authorities, two former baggage handlers at Los Angeles International Airport are prime examples of this, after allegedly using their jobs to traffic cocaine across the country. [More]
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LAX Lawsuit: A Bottle Of Water Shouldn’t Cost $5 At The Airport
By 3.9.15
Grumbling over that $5 bottle of water you had to buy after going through airport security? You’re not the only one: Boutique store Kitson is accusing the company that runs its two stores in the Los Angeles International Airport of gouging customers by charging half a tenner for a bottle of water that normally costs $2.50. [More]
Man Says Delta Airlines Lost His Dog At LAX
By 11.10.14
Over the years we’ve told you about several instances in which consumers’ pets have been lost or escaped while in the care of an airline. Sadly some of those stories end tragically, but here’s to hoping the most recent issue involving a missing bull terrier in Los Angeles ends on a happy note. [More]
Serial Stowaway Arrested After Flying From San Jose To Los Angeles Without A Ticket
By 8.6.14
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Unless of course what you’re trying to do is sneak past airport security to board a flight for which you don’t have a valid ticket, because that will get you arrested. [More]
Authorities Serve 25 Warrants In Major Crackdown On Baggage Thefts At LAX
By 3.27.14
If the number of posts we’ve done on airport baggage thefts are any indication, there’s a big problem at many of our country’s airports with sticky-fingered staff. Los Angeles International Airport is no exception, with authorities swooping in last night in a major crackdown effort aimed at nipping those thefts in the bud. [More]
Suspected Gunman In Custody After Shots Reported At Los Angeles Airport
By 11.1.13
Police have a suspected gunman in custody at Los Angeles International Airport after a shooting there this morning that reportedly wounded multiple people and has disrupted flights across the nation. Some flights are still being allowed to depart, but it seems no LAX-bound planes will be landing there for now. [More]
LAX Baggage Handler Arrested Over Dry Ice Bombs At Airport
By 10.16.13
Yesterday authorities said they believed a worker at Los Angeles International Airport could be behind the two dry ice bombs at the airport, though only one exploded. Police have now arrested a 28-year-old employee for a ground handling company at LAX and booked him last night for possession of a destructive device near an aircraft. [More]
Did An Airport Employee Place Dry Ice Bombs At LAX?
By 10.15.13
Police in Los Angeles say that the dry ice bombs found in supposedly secure areas of Los Angeles International Airport earlier this week may have been set by a disgruntled employee, though the exact reason for placing the devices is still unclear. [More]
TSA Agents Accused Of Taking Bribes To Let Drugs Through LAX Checkpoints
By 4.25.12
While the TSA blog loves to brag about all the weapons the agency’s screeners have taken off travelers, this news probably won’t be posted with pride on the kitchenette bulletin board at TSA HQ. [More]
TSA Can't Tell The Difference Between A Gun & An Insulin Pump
By 1.27.12
Travelers at Los Angeles International Airport this morning were held back from boarding this morning after the brain trust at the TSA security checkpoint not only managed to mistake a passenger’s insulin pump for a gun, but also waited until after she’d passed through the checkpoint to think it might be a good idea to check out the mysterious item. [More]
Teen Arrested For Pointing Laser At Landing Boeing 737
By 2.9.11
Flying on an airplane can make travelers anxious enough without having to worry about snotty little punks pointing lasers at planes while they attempt to land. [More]
LAX Is A Hotbed For Animal Smuggling
By 1.13.11
Apparently due to wealthy Hollywood types’ yearning for exotic pets, Los Angeles International Airport — its friends call it LAX — has long been known as animal smuggling central. In the most recent high-profile incident, Japanese passengers were busted for sneaking 55 live tortoises and turtles in luggage. [More]
United: Bad Toilet Timing Leads To Delay, Arrests
By 9.28.09
Two passengers were arrested on a United flight from LA to New York after one of them jumped up and ran to the bathroom after being instructed to remain seated by a flight attendant. Apparently the man just needed to use the bathroom — like now.
Virgin America Anniversary Flight From Hell
By 8.18.08 — Updated: 3.18.13
Adam is writing in to say that in the year that Virgin America has been operating, he feels that they’ve forgotten how to run their airline. The first time he flew with them, his flight was delayed and his laptop adapter melted. He got a free flight. The second time he flew, about a year later, his flight was delayed, the airline ran out of food, his luggage was ripped open and his valuables disappeared, and the baggage claim rep laughed at his misfortune.
LAX Meltdown Caused By A Single Network Interface Card
By 8.15.07
The card, which allows computers to connect to a local area network, experienced a partial failure that started about 12:50 p.m. Saturday, slowing down the system, said Jennifer Connors, a chief in the office of field operations for the Customs and Border Protection agency.
20,000+ International Passengers Stranded In LAX
By 8.13.07
At one point, airlines were given clearance to get fuel and food, but many airlines didn’t take advantage of it, for whatever reason.
Sprinklers Douse Travelers At LAX
By 6.25.07
A water pipe broke, dousing travelers and workers and causing an evacuation at Los Angeles International Airport Sunday. Fun! From CBS:
At the Southwest Airlines check-in counter, computers were covered in plastic. The baggage claim area on the lower level was cordoned off, and sawdust and puddles of water lined the floor.
LAX Terminal Evacuated Due To "Suspicious Comment"
20 Southwest Airlines and 2 U.S. Airways flights were delayed after a LAX terminal was evacuated for two hours due to a “suspicious comment” made by a passenger on SWA Flight 1182 from El Paso. We were unable to find out what exactly the “suspicious comment” was, but UPI suggests that it had something to do with explosives in his luggage. The LAPD bomb squad was called, but no explosives were found.