Airports
Activists grab ridesharing wheel -- While there are now four ridesharing startups awaiting the green light to begin picking up passengers at Los Angeles International Airport, another speed bump might be coming up. That's because a Westchester activist group has challenged city and airport officials over whether they conducted a proper environmental study in allowing companies such as San Francisco's Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. to operate at LAX. Cale Ottens/Los Angeles Business Journal
TSA agents rally at LAX for new contract, higher wages -- Transportation Security Administration agents rallied and picketed at LAX Saturday afternoon. CBS2's Rebecca Ferriter says the union is calling for a new contract and higher wages. Many people at the rally also told Ferriter morale on the job is at an all-time low. It started with chanting. "What do we want? A fair contract. When do we want it? Now," the agents yelled. Wearing their union t-shirts, members of the AFGE held signs and demanded a new contract. And they chanted some more. CBS LA
Celebrities will evade fans and photographers at Los Angeles Airport lounge -- Kanye West has had words (and more) with photographers chasing him at Los Angeles International Airport; a friend of the actor Jared Leto tangled with one in August, and the list goes on and on. Soon celebrities coming through the airport will be able to avoid the paparazzi - and security lines, the long walk to gates and contact with autograph-seekers - now that a plan has been approved to set up a private lounge for the rich and famous. Ian Lovett/New York Times
Spirit Airlines starting service between Phoenix and Los Angeles in April -- Spirit Airlines plans to add daily non-stop service between Phoenix and Los Angeles in April, hoping its bargain fares set it apart on a crowded route. Spirit, known for cheap tickets and pile of add on fees for carry-on and checked bags, seat assignments, soft drinks and more, is offering introductory round-trip fares as low as $75 online in April. That fare is only available on scattered dates. The next lowest fare is $96 round trip. Dawn Gilbertson/Arizona Republic
Police investigate flights diverted for suspicious passengers, bomb threats -- A Southwest Airlines flight made an unscheduled landing in Kansas City on Sunday because of suspicious behavior of several passengers, but no explosives were found aboard the plane and the flight later resumed, officials said. Flight 5929 from Indianapolis to Los Angeles landed in Kansas City about 7:50 a.m., according to airport spokesman Joe McBride. As a precaution, all passengers exited the plane and bomb-sniffing dogs searched the plane, but found no explosives. The flight resumed about 9:30 a.m. Bart Jansen/USA Today
Crime scene cleaners: "We'll make it go away" -- Most people are used to seeing crime scene investigators collection evidence. But after all their pictures of the scene are taken, someone has to come in and clean up. Ben Mihm founded Emergency Response Crime Scene Cleaning after being shot and forced to retire early as a Glendale police homicide detective. Mihm cleaned up the Los Angeles International Airport after the shootings back in 2013. "We were noticing droplets of blood, well those were the victims that were shot and they were running through the airport trying to get away from the suspect," Mihm said. "Emotionally it takes it toll." Elex Michaelson/ABC7
Residents, officials air out benefits, skepticism of proposed new terminal at Bob Hope Airport - A meeting that helped kick off the start of work to study the potential environmental impacts of a proposed replacement terminal at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank may have given airport officials a glimpse of the challenges they face in convincing the public about the need for the new terminal. During the meeting on Thursday, which was attended by more than 40 residents, officials discussed the benefits of the preferred terminal project, which would put the building farther from the runways, increasing the safety of the facility and bringing it into conformity with modern Federal Aviation Administration policies. Chad Garland/Los Angeles Times
Bob Hope Airport honors three credited with saving man's life after heart attack -- A trio of Southwest Airlines employees at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank were praised this week for their quick-thinking and life-saving actions earlier this month. Stacee Snow, Carla Cisneros and J.D. Martinez were honored during a meeting of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority board on Monday with certificates from airfield officials and special coins from the airport police chief recognizing their efforts that saved the life of a 69-year-old man. Chad Garland/Los Angeles Times
Burbank Bob Hope Airport launches CNG shuttle fleet -- In Burbank, Calif., on Monday, airport officials and representatives from MV Transportation Inc. officially launched Burbank Bob Hope Airport's new fleet of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered shuttle buses. In September, the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority Commission awarded MV Transportation a $11.97 million, five-year contract to provide courtesy shuttle services with 13 new model-year 2016 CNG vehicles. NGT News
Knowing Vegas: What happens when someone wins big at McCarran Airport? -- Home to the third longest airport runway in the United States, McCarran International Airport also is home to something airports outside of Nevada don't have - slot machines inside the airport. Positioned to catch the eye of travelers coming in and out of the airport, McCarran has approximately 1,330 machines throughout its three terminals. McCarran's slots, which are operated by Michael J. Gaughan Airport Slot Concession Inc., aren't just a fixture for last-minute Las Vegas-themed photo ops. Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review-Journal
Airlines
United Airlines reaches proposed two-year labor deal with pilots -- United Continental Holdings Inc. has reached a proposed two-year contract extension with its pilots union, continuing a run of improved labor relations at the airline. The Air Line Pilots Association on Friday told its members it has reached an "agreement in principle" on an extension with the Chicago-based carrier. If the union's members approve it, the deal would remove one hurdle as United Chief Executive Officer Oscar Munoz, tries to improve the airline's operations. Michael Sasso/Bloomberg Business
Disruption on United flight delays Gov. Chris Christie's travels -- A flight with Republican presidential candidate and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on board, destined for Boston from San Francisco International Airport on Friday, returned to the gate before takeoff to remove a passenger, causing a delay of several hours. Christie was traveling with an aide and a bodyguard. The incident forced his presidential campaign to reschedule a planned Friday night house party fundraiser in New Hampshire to be hosted by attorney and Republican activist Ellen Christo. Bob Jordan/Asbury Park Press
FAA
FAA readies drone registration rules -- The task force that was set up by the Federal Aviation Administration to develop a system for drone users to register with the federal government is expected to release its recommendations on Saturday. The FAA has been working with a task force that was set up last month to craft a registration system for drones after an increase in the number of aircraft pilots who have reported seeing the devices during flights. Keith Laing/The Hill
Transgender pilots frustrated over extra scrutiny from FAA -- When it comes to clearing pilots for takeoff, the Federal Aviation Administration uses regular medical exams to make sure they're fit to fly. But the process may not be fair for everyone in the cockpit. Every time Jessica Zacharias starts the engine of a plane, she's fulfilling a childhood dream. "I remember in grade 3 creating a poster showing me and what my career goal was for the future and I said commercial airline pilot," Zacharias said. Zacharias wound up with a tech career and a pilot's license on the side. Juliette Goodrich/CBS SF Bay Area
People
TSA deputy administrator retiring after 13 years with agency -- Florida is a popular spot for retirement, but in the case of Transportation Security Administration Deputy Administrator Mark Hatfield, he's headed to the Sunshine State for his next gig. In an email to transportation colleagues, which Federal News Radio obtained, TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger congratulated Hatfield on his pending retirement from TSA at the end of November, and new role as the chief security officer for Miami International Airport. Meredith Somers/Federal News Radio
Hilkevitch leaving Chicago Tribune -- Veteran aviation/transportation writer Jon Hilkevitch is among dozens of Chicago Tribune reporters who reportedly have opted for buyouts under Tribune Publishing's voluntary staff reduction plan. The buyout offer includes up to one year's pay along with extended health insurance benefits. Applicants are expected to be officially notified of their acceptance by Thursday. Robert Feder Blog
Travel
Why shopping getaways are on the rise -- Whether it's a trip to the stylish stores of New York City, the venerable chains along Chicago's Magnificent Mile or the luxury boutiques in Newport Beach, California, a growing number of travelers are embarking on shopping sprees. In La Jolla, California, for example, 47 percent of visitors reported traveling to the area to shop, falling just behind other popular activities, such as visiting the beach and frequenting the area's restaurants and clubs, according to a 2013 study conducted by the San Diego Tourism Authority. Lyn Mettler/U.S. News & World Report
Airplanes
The latest buyer of 747-8s is ... Boeing -- Boeing added two 747-8s to its order book this week. The good news is that this reduces to four the number of so-called "white tail" 747 jets - aircraft already built but now without a buyer. The less good news is that although Air Bridge Cargo of Russia took delivery of the two jumbo jets, it's still Boeing that owns them. Boeing did not identify the airline taking the jets, but according to people with knowledge of the details, the planes were the two 747-8s that Air Bridge Cargo flew away to Moscow on Monday. Dominic Gates/Seattle Times
Aviation Data & Analysis
US Airports On-Time Performance and Taxi Times - September 2015
Courtesy Oliver Wyman PlaneStats
High-Speed Rail
Project to link Vegas and California with train gets boost -- A project to link Las Vegas and Southern California with a high-speed train got a boost last week when the newly formed Nevada High-Speed Rail Authority approved an exclusive relationship with long-suffering XpressWest. The panel's move Wednesday to select the company as a franchisee - and sideline other futuristic yet far-fetched transportation concepts floated to the group - adds a layer of government legitimacy to the endeavor that could help it attract investors and get closer to breaking ground. But with no state dollars attached, the decision doesn't directly address the project's most glaring missing link - billions of dollars. Michelle Rindels/AP
City Government
Hollywood debate is trial run for city growth fight -- The Palladium project is, in many ways, just what elected leaders at Los Angeles City Hall say they want. Under the proposal two 30-story residential towers, would go up a block from a Hollywood Boulevard subway station. It would add 731 homes in the middle of a housing crunch. Nevertheless, the push to approve the Palladium Residences has found a powerful foe in the project's next-door neighbor, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which says the development is too big for its surroundings. David Zahniser/Los Angeles Times
As crime rises in Los Angeles, police, community take action -- In the nation's second-largest city, murders are up 12 percent this year and shooting victims have increased 20 percent. The city is also on the cusp of recording its 1,000th shooting victim of the year. The increases come as redevelopment of the city's downtown and nearby neighborhoods has attracted trendy new bars and restaurants, thousands of new residents and megaprojects that include a $1 billion mixed-use hotel tower that will be the tallest in the West. Amanda Lee Myers/AP
Monday at the Memories
Vin Scully for Continental Airlines - 1970
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