Nearly 20 years after the passage of the REAL ID Act, and following multiple postponements of its implementation for air travel, the US Department of Homeland Security wants to finally implement the rule. Eventually.
TSA
TSA tweaks banned items list
Some knives without blades are no longer permitted on planes. That is one of the key updates to the TSA’s prohibited items list, published today. The updates also now account for air-powered firearms, creating standards which allow them to be carried as checked luggage.
Landline takes the bus inside security for American Airlines
Landline’s bus service to and from Philadelphia is now considered secure by the TSA. As of this week American Airlines’ passengers traveling from Atlantic City (ACY) or Allentown/Bethlehem (ABE) will clear security at the out station prior to their ride.
Back in Business: A transcon trip in the American Airlines A321T
Is $50/hour a fair price to pay for upgrading to a business class seat? American Airlines suggested that price to me last week, and after a long couple days of work north of Los Angeles I took the offer. With a transcon flight home ahead, I figured the extra space and comfort would be worthwhile. It was a pleasant and comfortable trip, though the A321T fleet is starting to show its age.
Clear, others, expected to add TSA PreCheck enrollment later this year
Airport biometrics company Clear could be expanding into the TSA PreCheck business by the end of the year. It is one of three companies eligible to enroll travelers in the expedited airport screening program, and the Agency expects that at least one, if not all three, could have their new systems online later this year.
Apple adds TSA-compliant ID capability to iOS Wallet
It was nearly a decade ago that Apple launched Passbook as part of iOS 6. That opened the door to a mobile phone storing digital boarding passes, loyalty program cards, and more. Now the company wants to take an even deeper role in the travel experience: Apple wants the iPhone to be your ID as part of iOS 15.
Guns at the Checkpoint: Diving in to the TSA’s data on firearm incidents
The TSA cannot seize weapons at its checkpoints. But the Agency can enforce civil penalties against violators. For some reason, however, those penalties all but disappeared starting in November 2018.
A Tale of Two Holidays: Memorial Day v Labor Day in US Traffic Numbers
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day the US commercial aviation market saw a 37% rebound in the number of passengers flying. Not surprisingly, however, the distribution of that growth was anything but consistent across the country.
A stalled recovery: Airline traffic retreating
The commecial aviation industry as we once knew it faces a dire situation. And none of the recent data offers much of the way in optimism for the coming months.
Air travel is bouncing back: Can the trend hold??
The restart is on. While the past few weeks have seen offerings and traffic slowly begin to rise this week the pace is clearly shifting, with the US and Europe hitting a number of milestones.