Jun 5th, 2013 at 4:30PM: Flickr via Trevor Manternach
The TSA today announced that they are dropping the plan that would have permitted passengers to carry small knives and other previously banned items, like bats and golf clubs, on planes. These items have been banned since the attacks of September 11, 2001, when terrorists famously hijacked planes using items like box cutters as weapons.
TSA Administrator John ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
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Government Drops Plan To Allow Small Knives On Planes
Jun 5th, 2013 at 4:30PM: Flickr via Trevor Manternach
The TSA today announced that they are dropping the plan that would have permitted passengers to carry small knives and other previously banned items, like bats and golf clubs, on planes. These items have been banned since the attacks of September 11, 2001, when terrorists famously hijacked planes using items like box cutters as weapons.
TSA Administrator John ...Three Airport Travel Apps That Work, Save Time, Make Flying Fun
May 22nd, 2013 at 4:00PM: Jane Starz/Flickr
Airport travel apps for smart phones and tablets are must-have items for some air travelers, much like that phone itself. But it is easy to get over-apped and have three different sources texting the fact that we have landed, that the flight is running late or that it is time to check in. Choosing the best ones can be more difficult than using them. Here are some tested, but not ...Report: Government Oversight Allowed Known Terrorists Onto US Flights
May 20th, 2013 at 4:00PM:
Pmocek, Flickr
Some "suspected or known terrorists" on the TSA's No Fly list were able to board commercial flights in and over the United States for years, according to a new internal report from the Department of Justice.
The report, released this month and cited by Breaking Travel News, focused on the U.S. Marshals Service and another office's handling of terrorists in the federal witness ...'Airport 24/7 Miami' Takes Off On Second Season
Apr 19th, 2013 at 3:00PM: When "Airport 24/7 Miami" took off last October, the Travel Channel show delivered to viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the busiest airports in the world. We watched as an army of Miami International Airport (MIA) staff moved 100,000 travelers a day through the facility like clockwork.
Handling everything from lost luggage to drug smuggling and terrorist threats, viewers saw ...Speed Through Airport Security Checkpoints, One Way Or Another
Mar 6th, 2013 at 5:00PM:
As airport security checkpoints get more crowded and lines get longer, travelers are arriving earlier than ever to make that flight on time. Arrive late; miss the flight. Once at the gate, passengers may wait longer than normal as airlines juggle the start of boarding with actual anticipated takeoff time. Keeping passengers in the aircraft or on the ground too long may result in a hefty fine. ...TSA To Permit Pocket Knives And Golf Clubs On Planes (But Still Not Liquids)
Mar 5th, 2013 at 1:30PM: Starting April 25, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will permit small knives and most sporting good equipment on planes in carry-on luggage, a new security conference held today revealed.
Bloomberg reported that the change is to conform with international rules, citing that travelers will be able to carry on knives with "retractable blades shorter than 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) ...Some Of The Many Ways To Get Kicked Off A Plane
Feb 24th, 2013 at 3:00PM: When getting ready for take-off of any flight, we can take our seat promptly upon boarding the plane, stow our gear, be courteous to our fellow travelers and use electronic devices until instructed to power them down. Those activities are all just fine. On the other hand, smoking in the lavatory, joking about bombs or otherwise disrupting operation of the aircraft are serious matters that can get ...The TSA Tells You Not To Bring Bazookas On A Plane, Among Other Things
Jan 7th, 2013 at 1:00PM: If you were making a list of things to take with you on a plane, chances are a World War II-era bazooka round would not be one of them. The TSA would like to keep it that way.
The security agency periodically issues memos to travelers via its blog about items found during routine luggage scans and searches. At times humorous, at times informative, and other times downright bizarre, this recent ...Holiday Travel, By The Numbers
Dec 19th, 2012 at 2:00PM:
Holiday travel is almost upon us and that has a greater than ever number of people in the air, at sea and on the road for Christmas. Call it what you will; an improving economy, declining unemployment, pent-up travel lust or just that time of the year; travelers nationwide have plans for the holidays.
"The year-end holiday season is the busiest travel time of the year," said Jessica Brady, ...No Hassle Flying Act To Save Time, Safely, For Some
Dec 14th, 2012 at 5:00PM: Cutting down on the hassle of flying internationally, the No-Hassle Flying Act of 2012 aims to eliminate excessive security screening of connecting baggage at U.S. airports. Currently, checked baggage on all inbound international flights has to be re-screened before being transferred to connecting U.S. flights. To help with holiday travel, congress has a plan.
"As thousands of Americans travel ...A TSA Agent Answers Questions From The Community
Nov 20th, 2012 at 4:00PM: If you are flying this week, you are probably anticipating long security lines, many tiny bottles of liquids, and a lot of time shuffling through a metal detector in your socks. Last night on Reddit, a TSA agent participated in a Q & A (known as an "I Am A..." or "Ask Me Anything" on the site), and the community asked some great questions on security, stereotypes and weird encounters. See ...The Travel Outfit That Will Let You Breeze Through Airport Security
Oct 30th, 2012 at 1:00PM:
After years of fine-tuning, I may have just mastered the art of dressing for airport security.
It wasn't easy, mind you. For many years, my travel uniform consisted of jeans, a belt, a white T-shirt and sneakers. But my belt would always set off the alarm, my sneakers were cumbersome to slip off and my jeans made it difficult to get comfortable once I was onboard. Not to mention the stains ...TSA Removes X-Ray Body Scanners From Major Airports, But Some Will Remain
Oct 19th, 2012 at 1:00PM: For all those who are against having to go through X-ray body scanners at airport security, you'll be happy to know some are now being removed. During the past few weeks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been quietly switching them out for safer radiation machines.
While the main goal of the change is to speed up the lines at security checkpoints in major airports, the ...New Art Exhibition Features 'Banned Booty' Confiscated From Airport Security Checkpoints
Oct 9th, 2012 at 1:00PM: Ever wonder what happens to the tweezers, sewing scissors and Swiss Army Knives abandoned by hapless travelers at airport security? While most probably ended up in the landfill, some contraband nail clippers have received a second life through a new contemporary art exhibit from California artist Steve Maloney.
The exhibit, called "Banned Booty - Palm Springs Checkpoint," opens October 18 at ...Abusing Wheelchair Privileges To Cheat The Airport Security Line
Oct 8th, 2012 at 2:30PM: A few weeks ago, we told you about TSA screeners who abused their role in the security screening process to steal from passengers.
Now, we'll highlight an instance where passengers are (seemingly) gaming the system. A recent New York Times article discusses a rise in able-bodied passengers requesting wheelchairs and speculates that they may be exploiting assistance reserved for disabled guests ...Japanese Firm Unveils Bomb-Detecting Departure Gate
Oct 4th, 2012 at 2:00PM:
Thanks to a new piece of technology created by Japanese firm Hitachi, airline passengers may soon by scanned for bombs as they swipe their boarding pass.
It is the world's first explosive detecting departure gate, and works by blowing a puff of air on each passenger's hand as they swipe their ticket. The air is then sucked back inside the machine along with any small particles from the ...TSA Officers Fired After Stealing From Passengers
Sep 28th, 2012 at 3:00PM:
Have you ever arrived at your destination to find items missing from your suitcase and thought, "I wonder how that happened?" It turns out, you may have been a victim of TSA theft.
ABC News, as seen in the clip above, conducted an investigation into the security of airport screening stations. New figures show that 381 TSA officers have been fired after stealing from passengers and their ...
Judge Rules Airlines Must Stand Trial Over 9/11 Negligence Claims
Sep 6th, 2012 at 4:00PM: A U.S. judge has ruled AMR Corp's American Airlines and United Continental Holdings, Inc. must face trial over claims of negligence relating to the September 11 attacks on New York's World Trade Center in 2001.
Almost eleven years ago, 19 terrorists from the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda hijacked four passenger jets, including American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, which ...Snow Globes To Be Allowed In Carry-On Luggage Soon, TSA Says
Jul 18th, 2012 at 1:30PM: Later this summer, the TSA will permit snow globes inside carry-on luggage, the Los Angeles Times reports. Currently, those tiny globes of holiday fun are in the same category as nunchucks, handguns and billy clubs – not welcome in carry-on baggage.
Current law prohibits "snow globes and like decorations regardless of size or amount of liquid inside, even with documentation" in carry-on ...Liquids Surrendered At Airport Security: Is There An Afterlife?
Jul 11th, 2012 at 1:30PM: Ever looked at the mountain of liquids (or, in my case, that luscious, unopened jar of dulce de leche, and countless yogurts) accumulated at airport security and wondered where they end up? Yeah, me too. I've always hoped they go to charity and the water bottles recycled, because I have a bit of an idealist streak beneath my jaded exterior.
Our friend Andy Bender over at Forbes helped get to ...
