Airports

Category Archives for Airports.

American, United Want Out Of Deal To Modernize Chicago O’Hare

by Gary Leff on December 2, 2023

Dec 02 2023

American Airlines and United Airlines want Chicago O’Hare’s expansion that they signed off on in 2018 slowed down – or stopped – as the project runs $1.5 billion over budget. Somehow the carriers are surprised that a massive public infrastructure project, in Chicago no less, is spending far more than originally projected?

And in fact it’s only just the ‘next phase’ where a 24% projected cost overrun totals $1.5 billion more than expected. That’s before construction on the new terminal even starts! The project’s total cost has grown from $8.7 billion to a projected $12.1 billion. So the terminal’s overrun is only one piece of an overall $3.4 billion price increase.

TSA Is Reimagining Airport Security Checkpoints: First Self-Service Kiosk Opens Next Month

by Gary Leff on December 1, 2023

Dec 01 2023

TSA is working on three new security systems that reimagine airport checkpoints, investing in technology to screen more passengers effectively using self-service rather than scaling up the number of screeners the government employs. Passengers will start using the first one beginning next month.

Exposed: United Airlines Executives’ Multi-Million Dollar Bribery Scandal at Newark Airport

by Gary Leff on December 1, 2023

Dec 01 2023

Three former United Airlines executives engaged in a bribery scheme involving renovations at Newark airport. They accepted bribes from a maintenance and construction company to secure a restroom renovation project.

In exchange they received renovations to their own homes, electronics and jewelry and total bribes over $1.2 million. They steered the business to the most expensive contractor, who submitted a two page bid in comparison to dozens of pages for competing contractors. Then the employees inflate contract change orders to help the company recoup its bribe expenses.

2,536 Reasons to Raise Your Eyebrows: Bizarre Airport Gel Scandal

by Gary Leff on November 28, 2023

Nov 28 2023

If you’re a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, a major hub, you’ve seen it all. Or so you thought. Enter the shipment from Hong Kong: 2,536 pink-packaged syringes of vaginal tightening gel. Not just a few samples, but thousands. Do you smile, or seize the packages and prosecute them? Or bring them home for a fun Saturday night? The choice is yours. But choose wisely.

SNL’s Thanksgiving Airline Travel Sketch Is Amazing

by Gary Leff on November 20, 2023

Nov 20 2023

Saturday Night Live spoofed Thanksgiving week travel with their “Thanksgiving Week Airport Parade” which opens, “Good morning from Newark airport, everybody’s third choice.” The parade is sponsored by Hudson News which is amazing:

Amsterdam Airport Working On A Way To Kick Out JetBlue, After All

by Gary Leff on November 18, 2023

Nov 18 2023

The U.S. sent the Dutch government a missive reminding them that a decision to ban a U.S. airline was in violation of the E.U.’s Open Skies treaty with the United States. The government said, yeah you’re right sorry.

But now the airport is talking about a work-around.

Airport Survival Tactics: When to Bend the Rules At Security to Catch Your Flight (Here’s How)

by Gary Leff on November 15, 2023

Nov 15 2023

The blog post explores unconventional strategies for navigating long lines at airport security, particularly when facing the risk of missing a flight, suggesting that in dire circumstances, cutting lines or using guerilla tactics can be justified. It delves into the ethical and practical aspects of these actions, using personal experiences and examples to illustrate situations where bending the usual airport norms might be necessary for catching a flight.

300 Jews Stranded On Washington Dulles Tarmac After Bus Drivers Refuse Service

by Gary Leff on November 15, 2023

Nov 15 2023

Around 900 Jews from Detroit flew to D.C. to join a protest march against Hamas, seeking return of hostages taken on October 7th. However bus drivers who had been contracted to pick up the group from Washington Dulles airport learned of the purpose of the trip, and reportedly engaged in a sick out, refusing to pick up the group. After scrambling for transportation around 600 people made it, while 300 – stuck on the tarmac for hours – eventually returned home

The $50 Bribe That Could Cost $73,000: A Traveler’s Crime At Singapore’s Airport

by Gary Leff on November 7, 2023

Nov 07 2023

If you’re trying to travel somewhere without the proper authorization you shouldn’t try to do it from Singapore. And you shouldn’t then try to bribe someone in Singapore to let you do it anyway. And that bribe certainly should be just $50.

Why Your Next Layover Might Surprise You: How Charlotte and Atlanta Are Redefining Airline Hubs

by Gary Leff on November 5, 2023

Nov 05 2023

The traditional hub-and-spoke model, once dictated by local traffic generating high fares, is being redefined by cities like Charlotte and Atlanta, which have become central nodes for connecting flights. Despite their non-central geographic locations, these hubs thrive by leveraging strategic north-south connections, outperforming traditional expectations and contributing to the evolving dynamics of airline profitability.