Airports

Category Archives for Airports.

Why There Aren’t Enough Air Traffic Controllers, And Airlines Are Melting Down Because Of It

by Gary Leff on July 22, 2023

Jul 22 2023

The FAA asked airlines to reduce their flying in and out of New York this summer, because of a shortage of air traffic controllers. New York TRACON has been staffed only at around 60% and the FAA hasn’t acted. And yet they still can’t handle the volume that remains. Most people suppose this is a lagging problem coming out of the pandemic, since staffing across the board has been a challenge for businesses and especially in hospitality and transportation. But that’s actually not the issue.

Before Committing To A Relationship, See How They Behave At The Airport

by Gary Leff on July 20, 2023

Jul 20 2023

When my wife was growing up, her father told her that before she got truly serious in a relationship she needed to take a cross country greyhound with the guy first. Thank goodness she didn’t present long haul bus travel to me as a test. She didn’t need to. She already knew how I acted in an airport.

Two Reasons American Airlines Believes They Can Still Make It In New York Without JetBlue

by Gary Leff on July 20, 2023

Jul 20 2023

During their second quarter earnings call, Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja explained why they believe they’ll still succeed in New York, without their alliance with JetBlue.

Four Passengers Rowed Their Boat Down The Airport Moving Walkway

by Gary Leff on July 19, 2023

Jul 19 2023

It’s hardly the first time passengers have appropriated this functional piece of equipment to serve their own recreational needs. Just before the start of the pandemic actress Jennifer Garner treated the travelator as a ballet barre and set the whole thing to music!

Delta Scales Back Its Attempt To Gain New “Beyond Perimeter” Slots At Washington National Airport

by Gary Leff on July 18, 2023

Jul 18 2023

Delta wanted 28 new roundtrips a day authorized, and of course they’d gain many of those for themselves. This faced significant pushback.

Bet You Didn’t Know: Triple (Quadruple) Dip On Lyft Rides, Passively Earn Rewards For Airport Spending

by Gary Leff on July 16, 2023

Jul 16 2023

ThanksAgain is a rewards program where you register your credit card, and it scans your transactions for eligible activity and offers you points – that can be converted into frequent flyer miles or gift cards.

It began years ago as a general retail rewards program. Many dry cleaners were included. Then nearly a decade ago they pivoted to being largely rewards for airport spend.

Scenes As A Tornado Touched Down Near Chicago O’Hare Airport While Passengers Shelter

by Gary Leff on July 13, 2023

Jul 13 2023

Chicago O’Hare was the number one airport in the world for cancellations on Wednesday, with 172 flights dumped, while 550 flights (or 48% of the total) faced delays. Chicago Mdiway, with fewer total flights, was in the top five for cancellations and 51% of flights were delayed.

New York JFK Terminal 8 Is Getting A $125 Million Refresh And All New Restaurants

by Gary Leff on July 12, 2023

Jul 12 2023

This is a major undertaking. In 2019, before the JetBlue partnership and when American was squatting on slots and had partially abandoned the New York market, sales in the terminal were $107.4 million across 21 food and beverage, 3 duty free, 12 specialty retail, 4 currency exchange and 8 travel essential outlets.

Employee Arrested For Taking 143 Videos Of Men In Minneapolis Airport Restrooms

by Gary Leff on June 30, 2023

Jun 30 2023

A Minneapolis – St. Paul airport employee has been caught recording passengers in men’s bathroom stalls, and charged with “11 gross-misdemeanor counts of interference with privacy.” He’s apparently been doing it since back in February. Another employee noticed the concessions staffer trying to take pictures of him from underneath the stall in the gate E2 bathroom – and went to police. The suspected admitted that he’d been taking videos inside of bathrooms for months. His cell phone had 143 bathroom videos taken between August 11, 2022 and February 14, 2013 showing males “at various stages using the bathroom.” Still photos were also found from inside bathroom stalls, and of airport video surveillance footage of a male passenger “with low pants exposing his [buttocks].” Airports have cameras everywhere and numerous law enforcement agencies on site, making…

Watch: Two Jet Bridges “Get Married” At Minneapolis – St. Paul Airport

by Gary Leff on June 29, 2023

Jun 29 2023

Normally when you enter a jet bridge you’re taken to your aircraft. And then on the other end of the journey the jet bridge takes you into the terminal. At Minneapolis – St. Paul airport gate G13, in what seems like some sort of infinite regress, the jet bridge will simply take you to… another jet bridge.

The MSP airport shared time lapse video of crew “marrying” two jet bridges.