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JetBlue flight attendant held without bail in LAX cocaine smuggling case -- A JetBlue Airways flight attendant accused of trying to smuggle nearly 60 pounds of cocaine in her carry-on luggage and fleeing when she was pulled aside for a random baggage search at Los Angeles International Airport was ordered jailed without bail Friday pending trial. Earlier in the day, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Marsha Gay Reynolds, 31, on a single felony count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, which carries a 10-year mandatory minimum prison sentence, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Fred Shuster/City News Service
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Brussels airport bombings bring new security measures in U.S. -- Expected to pass through airports in near-record numbers this summer, Americans can expect to be sniffed by more dogs, scrutinized by more armed police officers and faced with longer security lines. The reason, in a word: Brussels. A plane carrying Transportation Security Administration head Peter Neffenger was nosing up to an arrival gate in Brussels on March 22 when the first of two bombs that killed 16 people exploded in the terminal. A third went off a short time later in a subway, also killing 16. Ashley Halsey III/Washington Post
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Airlines fear TSA staffing woes will mean a long, weary summer -- It happened in just five minutes on a chilly, rainy Thursday morning at O'Hare International Airport - from 5:30 a.m. to 5:35 a.m., the security line at the American Airlines terminal jumped from four lanes of travelers to 10. Passengers at the end of the line began to show signs of panic - shaking their heads, rolling their eyes, checking the time on their phones and muttering to their companions. Would they make it? Mary Wisniewski /Chicago Tribune
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Grand theft duffle bag? LAX arrestee 'constantly looking behind him' -- A man was facing a possible grand theft charge Friday for allegedly stealing a piece of luggage at Los Angeles International Airport. The theft occurred in Terminal 4 on Wednesday morning, when Los Angeles Airport Police Officer Julio Perez, who was undercover, saw the man "acting suspiciously in the baggage claim area," Airport Police spokesman Rob Pedregon said. My News LA
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Police investigate vandalism of three planes at Van Nuys Airport -- Los Angeles airport police are investigating the vandalism of three aircraft and at least one vehicle at Van Nuys Airport, the latest in a series of security breaches at the airfield. The latest incident occurred about 9:20 p.m. April 2, when a man scaled the perimeter fence and made his way to the airplanes. Authorities say the man tore off antennas and wires from the planes and tore a side mirror from a vehicle parked near a hangar. Ruben Vives/Los Angeles Times
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Dozens punished by TSA for whistle-blowing are later exonerated --Dozens of Transportation Security Administration employees in recent years have been reassigned, demoted, investigated or fired for reporting lapses or misconduct by senior managers, charges that were later upheld by whistle-blower protection agencies, records show. Even as the TSA, under renewed scrutiny after the terrorist attacks in Belgium, works to assure the public that airports in the United States are safe, a review of federal records and interviews with current and former employees show the agency is troubled by internal problems. Ron Nixon/New York Times
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TSA shortening security lines with dogs, Precheck -- Fielding more bomb-sniffing dogs and recruiting more participants for expedited screening are key ways to reduce long checkpoint lines in the aftermath of the Brussels airport bombing, the head of the Transportation Security Administration said Friday. TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger has acknowledged that wait times nearly doubled from last year, as screeners scrutinize travelers and their carry-on bags more thoroughly after critical watchdog reports. Bart Jansen/USA Today
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Chicago aviation police chief resigns -- The embattled police chief who oversees aviation officers at Chicago's two airports is stepping down. Richard Edgeworth, the subject of a CNN investigation into why his officers could not carry guns or respond to an active shooter, will leave the Chicago Department of Aviation on April 15, according to his resignation letter. "It has truly been an honor and privilege to serve," the letter says. "As a team, we have demonstrated day-in and day-out why our Chicago Airport System is the best. You are the 'A team.' " Scott Zamost/CNN
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Gatto questions need for hiring branding firm to rename Bob Hope Airport -- Bob Hope Airport officials are seriously considering adopting a new branding name to attract more passengers to the Burbank airfield. However, one state legislator is questioning the method by which the name is developed. Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale) said that he disagrees with the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Authority's decision to contract with South Pasadena branding firm Anyone Collective to come up with a branding name to get the attention of travelers living east of the Colorado Rockies. Anthony Clark Carpio/Burbank Leader
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'The Young Turks' host booted from plane after huge delay -- "The Young Turks" host Cenk Uygur was removed from a flight by cops after he says an airline left him stranded for hours. Uygur live streamed from LAX Friday night as he waited for an American Air flight to Miami. Cenk says passengers were stranded for more than four hours without a plane at their gate and with no real explanation as to what was going on. TMZ
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As airport unveils new logo, it defends itself over choice of businesses --The Allegheny County Airport Authority unveiled a brand new logo and a new direction Friday. But a Stanton Heights businessman urged it not to leave behind small and minority owned businesses seeking work at Pittsburgh International Airport. Andre L. Young, president of Salutations Inc., a retail business, asked board members "not to forget about the community and the small businesses that are in the community that can be part of this airport as well." Mark Belko/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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Southwest expands gates at Lambert; airport continues push for Europe flights -- Gone is the maroon carpet that covered walls near the chapel in Terminal 2. It was a remnant of the days when Lambert-St. Louis International Airport served as a Trans World Airlines hub, giving St. Louis an abundance of direct destinations. The new look - including new chairs, plenty of outlets, paint and equipment - is that of Southwest Airlines, which dominates airport traffic these days and is adding flights - so much so that two new gates are expected to open this week. Leah Thorsen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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Senate to continue consideration of FAA Reauthorization Act -- On Monday, the Senate will resume floor consideration of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016. Over 100 amendments to the bill have been filed, but it is unclear how many will be offered on the floor this week. Additionally, Senate Leadership and the Finance Committee Chairman and Ranking Member are working on a revenue title that will likely include extensions to several renewable energy tax credits, which could impact the bill's prospects in the House. Lexology
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Delta said to near jet order as planemakers scrap for deal -- Delta Air Lines Inc is nearing a decision on upgrading its single-aisle fleet as four planemakers bid furiously to win the order, people familiar with the matter said. Airbus Group SE, Boeing Co, Bombardier Inc and Embraer SA are competing for the sale as the second-largest US carrier seeks to replace its McDonnell Douglas MD-88 workhorse jets for shorter domestic flights, three people said. Delta could make a decision as early as this month, two people said. Bloomberg
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What happens when a pilot is too drunk to fly -- At about 6 a.m. on March 26, when American Airlines pilot John F. Maguire arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport to fly an Embraer E190 to Philadelphia, a Transportation Security Administration officer noticed his face was flush, his eyes bloodshot, and his breath smelled of alcohol. The officer asked the plane's captain if everything was all right. "He put himself in the hot seat," the captain replied, according to the police report. "Take him." Brian Sumers/Conde Nast Traveler
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Celebrity Attorney Gloria Allred spearheading lawsuit against Spirit Airlines -- Several weeks ago I wrote about a boombox brawl which erupted on a Spirit Airlines flight between Baltimore and Los Angeles. On this particular flight passengers were apparently loudly playing music from a boombox (I didn't realize those were still a thing), which was annoying other passengers. When other passengers asked them to turn down the music, a melee erupted. Lucky/One Mile at a Time
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Fliers beware: Airline rule change could cost hundreds extra -- The three largest U.S. airlines have changed the way they price multi-city trips, forcing those who book such itineraries to pay hundreds of extra dollars in airfare. Most fliers buy simple round-trip tickets and won't be affected. But travelers visiting several cities on one trip, especially those flying for business, are seeing airfares six or seven times the normal price. Many might not know of the new policy or that there is a way to avoid the higher fares. Scott Mayerowitz/AP
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Alaska Air's Virgin America deal threatens to return airline M&A to losing form -- The airline business for years had a notoriously woeful M&A track record, with a history littered with transactions that mostly destroyed value and helped breed toxic labor relations. Recent deals have largely reversed this trend, but there is reason to worry Alaska Air Group might be hard pressed to keep that winning streak going. Lou Whiteman/The Deal
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United reports slower passenger traffic, more on-time flights in March -- A strong U.S. dollar and lower surcharges are taking a toll on United Airlines' revenues, the company said Friday. The Chicago-based airline said miles traveled by paying passengers in March were down 1.5 percent compared with last year. So far this year, revenue passenger miles are up 0.3 percent compared with the same period a year ago. United said it now expects first-quarter 2016 passenger revenue to decline between 7.25 and 7.75 percent year-over-year. Lauren Zumbach/Chicago Tribune
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HNA agrees to buy airline caterer Gategroup for $1.5 billion -- Chinese conglomerate HNA Group Co. agreed to buy Swiss airline catering company Gategroup Holding AG for 1.4 billion francs ($1.5 billion), as billionaire Chairman Chen Feng continues on an acquisition spree of aviation-related assets around the world. Gategroup shares jumped the most in almost seven years. Shareholders would get 53 francs a share as well as the previously declared 30 centimes per share dividend, HNA said in a statement Monday. Bloomberg Cranky Flier: HNA Group is challenging Etihad as the patron saint of failing airlines
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State releases new details on possible bullet train routes -- The California rail authority released four voluminous reports Friday on proposed alternatives for bullet train routes from Bakersfield to Anaheim - providing new details on how the train would traverse the Southern California mountains, cut through downtown Los Angeles, enter Union Station and reach Orange County. The roughly 164 miles of track from the Central Valley to Anaheim will be the most technically complex, environmentally sensitive and financially taxing part of the $64-billion project to connect San Francisco to Southern California by 2029. Ralph Vartabedian/Los Angeles Times
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Marriott, Starwood Hotels stockholders approve deal -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc and Marriott International Inc said on Friday the stockholders of the companies voted to approve Marriott's acquisition of Starwood to create the world's largest hotel company. Holders of more than 97 percent of Marriott shares and over 95 percent of Starwood shares voted in favor of the cash-and-stock deal, which was valued at $12.41 billion as of Thursday. China's Anbang Insurance Group Co last week abandoned its $14 billion offer for Starwood Hotels, clearing the way for Marriott to buy the owner of Sheraton and Westin hotel brands. Reuters
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Big investments in Potter world and other attractions will pay off for the Southland economy -- The new Harry Potter attraction is off to a smashing start, but it is only one of several new big-ticket expansions that are expected to boost Southern California's $44-billion tourism industry. From Disneyland in Anaheim to Legoland California in Carlsbad, theme parks and tourist attractions have launched multimillion-dollar expansion and renovation projects over the last year. Hugo Martin/Los Angeles Times
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Last flight-qualified space shuttle fuel tank in existence begins its journey to L.A. -- The journey began early Sunday when crews delicately pushed the 15-story space shuttle fuel tank from its outdoor perch outside NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility onto an ocean barge bound for Los Angeles. The tank - the last flight-qualified external tank in existence - will travel by barge, traverse the Panama Canal, dock in Marina del Rey and drive along Los Angeles streets before arriving next month at the California Science Center, where it will be permanently displayed with the shuttle Endeavour. Hailey Branson-Potts/Los Angeles Times
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New state ridesharing rules could derail local firm -- The California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) will vote April 21 on a measure that could upend the business model of Evercar, an eight month-old Culver City firm providing low-income drivers access to electric vehicles for rideshare and delivery purposes. The measure stipulates that a driver working for a rideshare company such as Lyft and Uber must either own the vehicle outright or have a lease agreement that exceeds four months. It is one component of sweeping rideshare industry reforms being undertaken by the commission. Elyse Glickman/Los Angeles Business Journal
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Outrage after big labor crafts law paying their members less than non-union workers -- When Los Angeles City Council members voted two years ago to give hotel workers a raise, Bill Martinez was the type of worker they said they wanted to help. Martinez, a 53-year-old bellhop, has hauled tourists' luggage across the flagstone plaza of the Sheraton Universal in Studio City for two decades. He said he was excited after the council's vote to raise the minimum hourly wage at large hotels to $15.37, which he expected to boost his paycheck by 71%. He soon found out he wouldn't be getting a raise after all. Peter Jamison/Los Angeles Times
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'Jedis' may prove positive force for city of L.A. -- Will the force be strong for business in Los Angeles? That's the hope of city officials, who are now considering setting up several "Jedi zones" throughout the city for business incentives. For those still thinking about Luke Skywalker and lightsabers, Jedi in this case stands for Jobs and Economic Development Incentive; the acronym first surfaced in a motion two years ago from Councilman Paul Krekorian. Howard Fine/Los Angeles Business Journal
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'Airport' movie trailer - 1970
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