As I sit here looking out the window at more than a foot of snow on the ground and a grey dreary sky dropping ice from the clouds, like most people my mind wanders to warmer places with clear skies. Yesterday afternoon John Milleker, a photographer in Baltimore, sent me the link to a video…
This morning in Las Vegas, where people go to roll the dice and play their luck, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began testing L3 Systems ProVision ATD software loaded into their Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) millimeter wave technology scanners. The current generation of AIT scanner software in use in by the TSA has been highly…
In the world of politics, the occasional delusion official is not out of the ordinary … however among delusional politicians in the wrong job, Hamid Behbahani, Iran’s Transport Minister, probably ranks in the top 1% of those delusional officials. In the wake of a series of fatal plane crashes in Iran and a state airline…
Following the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 3 created the Homeland Security Advisory System on the 11th of March 2002.  The Homeland Security Advisory System is a familiar sight to many travelers, it is the colour coded threat level advisory chart posted in many airports and…
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has frequently found itself pushing the boundaries of its original mission and facing criticism for its actions. A few days ago however the TSA pushed a new boundary … that of publicly stating it was ignoring an Act of Congress. To make matters more complex, TSA Administrator John Pistole is…
Baggage is an annoyance on the road; even carry on baggage, especially short trips. Travel with bags slows travelers up at security check points, leaves traveler property at risk for theft or loss at security check points … and for day trips requires travelers to schlep their bags wherever they go. Yes, I admit, there…
During a rare moment of clarity in the creation of Public Law 107-71 (The Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001), which created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), an often overlooked provision was included … the provision for airports to be allowed choose a private security contract firm, under the guidance of the TSA, called…
As Egypt falls further into political unrest, the fallout for airlines may be substantial. However the impact we’re seeing on airlines today may be just the beginning. With the Egyptian government imposing a curfew from 6:00pm to 7:00am, as a result of riots and massive public anti-government demonstrations, EgyptAir has suspended its flights for twelve…
Bali … just the name of the Indonesian island, situated at the west end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, evokes visions of a vacation paradise. Visions of blue skies, endless beaches and volcanic ash belching into the sky … … no wait, I’m pretty sure volcanic ash belching into the sky was not in the…
Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport (DME), 26 miles southeast of Moscow, was torn apart by a bomb blast earlier today at 4:37pm MSK, in the international arrivals lounge. The explosion is believed to be set off by at least one suicide bomber, although police believe the blast area is potentially from more than one bomb. The…
