Category Archives for Airports.
Los Angeles World Airports has approved $1.5 billion for a new 4.4-mile road into LAX — a per-mile price tag that’s several times higher than what similar highway or airport projects typically cost. The comparison with other U.S. airports makes one thing clear: this isn’t remotely normal.
Travelers at New York’s LaGuardia Airport spotted a tip box sitting on a TSA checkpoint table — something federal employees are strictly prohibited from soliciting or accepting. Cash tips violate federal ethics rules, TSA’s own code of conduct, and even criminal statutes governing gifts to government workers, making the setup flatly illegal.
More people are being kicked out of Global Entry than approved, and nearly 40% of those who challenge the decision get reinstated. DHS often won’t disclose the reason for a revocation, leaving travelers to appeal blind — and the high reversal rate suggests many removals never should have happened in the first place.
A new lawsuit argues that TSA’s ban on transgender screeners performing airport security pat-downs is unlawful, claiming it strips them of core job duties, blocks advancement, and violates Title VII. The case challenges whether TSA can exclude trans officers from pat-downs after years of allowing assignments based on gender identity.
Rep. Nancy Mace’s Charleston airport blow-up is now in its third week. After cursing out officers and threatening to sue American Airlines, she’s now claiming TSA “targeted” her for extra screening—a charge that screeners told her was nothing more than routine random selection.
During the shutdown, President Trump vowed to dock the pay of air traffic controllers who miss work and to award $10,000 bonuses to those who don’t. Neither move is legal — and his claims ignore basic FAA labor rules, federal law, and long-standing staffing realities.
The FAA just banned private flights at 12 major airports, but it’s a move that came too late — and focused on the wrong places. Most general aviation traffic never touches these hubs, meaning the new restrictions will do little to ease controller shortages or flight delays.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly texted Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to make the offer, but even if the FAA wants the help, it may not be able to use it. Military controllers aren’t certified in civilian airspace, use different systems, and can’t simply plug into the FAA’s network without retraining or emergency waivers.
Detroit Metro Airport’s plan to open a cigar lounge has drawn fierce criticism from major health groups, who call it “a danger to millions of travelers.” The airport says the idea came from community interest, but public-health advocates are demanding the plan be scrapped.
Rep. Nancy Mace’s Charleston airport controversy isn’t over. After reports she berated officers and airport staff, the congresswoman now says she’s suing American Airlines and the airport for allegedly falsifying incident records — a move likely to prolong a story she’d be better off ending.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
