In justifying the TSA’s budget increase, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano testified before a House Appropriations Subcommittee that the agency’s costs for screening baggage have increased as airline checked baggage fees have steadily decreased the number of checked bags.

With a dynamic shift in the ratio of checked baggage vs carry on baggage over the past few years, the TSA has not effectively adjusted its operations to reallocate its Transportation Security Officers and its hardware contracts to match the new demands placed on the agency.   With the TSA employing approximately 45,000 Transportation Security Officers, and 71% of its US$$8,115,259,000 2012 budget allocated to Aviation Security, that agency has been slow to effectively match its staffing needs in a manner that best uses the human assets available to them.

Checked baggage will always exist in commercial aviation, however as the number of bags screened decreases, the cost of screening these bags should not increase. The cost to the agency should be kept in checked by adjusting staffing levels as needed or designating more TSOs as “Dual Function Screeners” (DFS), allowing them to free float between baggage screening and passenger screening as needed during their shifts.  Dual tasking TSOs would help reduce staffing strains at peak periods and free up more human assets within the agency.

In airports where checked baggage screening is done in the passenger check in area, private contractor staffing can be reduced as well, for those who cart the bags from the TSA screening area to the baggage belts for delivery to aircraft.

The TSA’s claims its costs of risen significantly since 2002 when the $2.50. Aviation Security Infrastructure Fee was implemented for all airline tickets in the United States … and while costs have increased for the TSA, the agency has also pushed its primary mission into different aspects of transportation that are not equally taxed, placing the burden on airline passengers.

The TSA has an important job, and the TSA has a complex job, however the agency needs to reassess its allocation of resources. A reassessment of the agency’s resources, assets and tasking should allow the TSA to operate not only more effectively, but also in a more fiscally responsible manner.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

The image, created by Korean artist Ho Yeol Ryu, was intended to bring awareness to air traffic congestion’s impact on global warming. As fantastic as this image is … and it really is … the image is not a multiple exposure photograph and many of the aircraft in the image could not have been photographed at Hannover’s airport.

How do we know this wonderful piece of aviation artistry … and it is a wonderful piece of aviation artistry … could not have been photographed at Hannover’s airport? Well let’s find out.

1) The positioning of the aircraft in relation to the terminal behind it, even accounting for telephoto lens compression, would have the aircraft taking off from taxiway beside Runway 27L, rather than the runway itself.

2) The image shows multiple Boeing 747 and 777 variants airborne at a point in the runway where these aircraft would first be lifting their nose off the ground, or still be firmly on the ground before becoming airborne.

3) Many aircraft appear to be flying towards the terminal or away from the terminal; a direction an aircraft would not fly moments after lifting its wheels off the ground.

4) Proportionally aircraft sizes do match size dimensions of real-life aircraft when matched to scale. For example an ATR-72-500 turbo prop never appears larger than Boeing 777-200 wide body jet when viewed from a consistent angle and distance.

5) Many airlines in the image do not service Hannover-Langenhagen Airport and have never flown anywhere near Europe.

6) Many of the airlines and aircraft in the images would never, and have never, crossed paths, such as an Air New Zealand Link ATR-72-500 and JetBlue Airbus A320 …not to mention the U.S. registered Cessna 172S flying through the image.

7) A number of the aircraft depicted in this image can be directly found in the Airliners.net photo archive … including the U.S. registered Cessna 172S. The images are credited to various photographers in various geographic locations ranging from Texas to New Zealand.

So folks, especially you photographers, continue sharing Ho Yeol Ryu’s image as a “Striking Multiple Exposure Shot of Takeoffs at Hannover Airport” considering referring to it as something else.

Click the image below to view a large version of Ho Yeol Ryu work or art.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

Since the TSA implemented its enhanced pat down TSA Transportation Security Officers (TSO) have caught the brunt of travelers frustration, causing significant friction between not only travelers and the TSA, but between some TSOs and the TSA.   When the TSA first implemented its new invasive physical search of travelers, a policy the agency is still unable to show legal standing to undertake, some TSOs felt demoralized by there harsh words hurled at them by travelers, the media and even airline flight crews.

Now, with the public outrage of the TSA’s policy and procedure being handled more in politics than by travelers, some TSOs appear to be taking a new tactic. The new tactic is carrying out an enhanced pat down without actually carryout an enhanced pat down.

Over the past few weeks a quiet minority within the TSA, in at least one cluster of airports, have begun taking matters into their own hands … or out of their own hands as the case may be.

In a series of emails from a Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (STSO) it was revealed that,

“Some TSOs are fed up with being required to carry out extensive hand searches of certain passengers who clearly are not a threat to aviation security. These TSOs are now quietly going through the facade of an extensive hand search. To an onlooker a thorough search is being conducted when the reality of it is that the TSO is skimming the surface so they do not cause the passenger embarrassment or discomfort.”

Presently it is unknown if this quiet shift in TSOs choosing to implement their own judgment, while not outwardly defying TSA policy and procedure, is wide spread. What is known is these new ‘lighter pat downs” are being performed done by more than a dozen TSOs and STSOs stationed at three sizeable airports in a close geographic region.

What is the impact of such a small group of TSA screeners? Right now, it is minimal, but it will be interesting to see if this shift spreads or others quietly let it be known that they are acting in a similar manner.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

As the airline industry has grown closer together through the creation of airline alliances, El Al has found itself unsuccessfully looking for a chair during the industry game of musical chairs.  While there are many factors as to why El Al is not currently attractive to an alliance, the reason El Al’s CEO, Eliezer Shkedi, stated to Israel’s Knesset Economic Affairs Committee today seems to be focused on creating a divide than bridging a path.

Today as Mr. Shkedi addressed the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee on economic factors impacting El Al he stated “We are unable to join any alliance because we’re Jews, not due to any economic reason.”

Mr. Shkedi blaming Anti-Semitizam for El Al’s lack of alliance ties negates a number of important factors.    Aside from the deep-rooted geo-political issues impacting Israel regionally, overall the airline has no place in the three global airline alliances.   Star Alliance has Egyptair, which serves Tel Aviv via its Air Sinai subsidiary; One World has Royal Jordanian, which serves Tel Aviv; Sky Team has Saudi Arabian Airlines joining shortly and is able to serve Tel Aviv through multiple points of entry.    El Al geographic position would have it directly competing with airlines from neighboring nations.

Aside from El Al’s inability to fit into an airline alliance, the airline has a small fleet of 40 aircraft and a relatively small route network.   Despite the airline’s location in the Middle East, El Al only serves one foreign destination in the region, Cairo.

El Al’s CEO claiming the airline cannot join an alliance because “we’re Jews” … makes for a great show stopping line, but it leaves out many important factors.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

JetBlue, the largest airline at Boston’s Logan International Airport and Official Airline of the Boston Red Sox, revealed the new Red Sox livery just two days before Truck Day at Fenway Park , and a few days before the Red Sox begin their spring training in Fort Meyers Florida … playing in JetBlue Park at Fenway South.  The new JetBlue Red Sox livery also displays the logo of the 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park, the stadium the Red Sox have called home since 1912.

Previously the JetBlue Airbus A320-232, N605JB, carried the name Blue Yorker.

Photo of JetBlue’s new Red Sox aircraft livery are below and are courtesy of the JetBlue.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

For full disclosure, while my birth certificate comes from the City of New York and I was raised at the end of a runway at New York’s JFK International Airport, I am a life long Red Sox fan. Let’s Go Red Sox!

Well now rather than just complain about an airline, the British comedy Fascinating Aïda has put passengers frustration to music.

The video below speaks for itself …

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

Click here to view the embedded video.

Back on the 30th of April 1981, only a few years after airlines were deregulated in the United States, the original People Express Airlines began service as a low cost, no frills, airline based at Newark International Airport’s North Terminal.   People Express Airlines, generally written as PeoplExpress, launched with three routes, from Newark, Columbus, Buffalo and Norfolk, before expanding into international routes and being sold to the Texas Air Corporation, then absorbed into Continental Airlines in 1987.

Now with the announcement of PeoplExpress’ return to the skies, 25 years after it disappeared from existence, the airline is returning to familiar territory, Southeastern Virginia, and Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport.   The new PeoplExpress’ home base is a mere 23 miles from its original route to Norfolk, yet its first route is essentially the same, between Newport News and Newark, New Jersey, along with Pittsburgh and West Palm Beach.

The new PeoplExpress’ executive staff comes from an extensive industry background, including roots in the original PeoplExpress, as well as United, Continental, JetBlue and other carriers, yet the airline’s initial routes and its choice of a home airport are puzzling.   The airline’s plans are to bring service to airports that other airlines have left and serve these cities with limited flights with Boeing 737 aircraft.  In order to attract passengers, PeoplExpress plans to create a simplified booking process, where all fees are included in a passengers ticket cost, although they do not state if ancillary purchase options will be made available in flight.

PeoplExpress intends to initiate its service this summer and is negotiating with airlines and lessors to acquire Boeing 737-400 aircraft. Presently the airline does not possess any aircraft,  employ a chief pilot or have a maintenance chief. These basic airline necessities will prevent the airline from being an FAA CFR  Part 121 airline, instead placing the airline in the role of being a “shell carrier” operating other carriers’ aircraft, with pilots from the airlines they lease their aircraft from.

Can a new airline with PeoplExpress’ business model of serving non-major cities, hubbed in a minor out of the way airport, and all-in pricing survive?  Only time will tell … but for many industry experts on the outside looking in, the answer is no.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

Under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Publicly Available Social Media Monitoring and Situational Awareness Initiative, compliant with Section 515 of the Homeland Security Act (6 U.S.C. § 321d(b)(1)), the agency scours social media chatter seeking information related to threats against the United States. In the process of reviewing millions of Twitter comments, public Facebook pages, blogs, Tumblr pages, Youtube channels, tweets posted by Leigh Van Bryan on the 3rd of January were flagged.

Mr. Van Bryan’s tweets that were flagged by the DHS stated “Free this week for a quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America?” followed by a tweet stating “3 weeks today, we’re totally in LA pissing people off on Hollywood Blvd and diggin’ Marilyn Monroe up!”

Mr. Van Bryan’s tweets, which were frivolous, laced in slang phrases and referencing the Fox TV Show The Family Guy were taken literally, rather than read in context or analyzed to determine their potential to constitute a legitimate threat to U.S. national security.

Had DHS analysts reviewed the tweets, grasping Mr. Van Bryan’s colloquial usage of the word “destroy,” maybe this situation would have avoided, although the second tweet by Mr. Van Bryan stating he’d be digging up Marilyn Monroe’s grave is really where the DHS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (US CBP) literal interpretation of the tweeted comments really comes off the rail (and by coming off the rails, I don’t mean that literally, I mean it in the sense that what occurred is absurd).

When Mr. Van Bryan and his travel companion, Emily Bunting, were questioned by US CBP upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport they were questioned extensively about their intent to dig up Marilyn Monroe’s grave. US CBP was so focused on this intent, which is of no threat to national security, that the travelers’ bags were searched for shovels.

Had the DHS of US CBP spent less than 20 seconds researching “we’re totally in LA pissing people off on Hollywood Blvd and diggin’ Marilyn Monroe up!” they would have discovered the tweet is not only a quote from The Family Guy, but that Ms. Monroe’s body is entombed in a mausoleum at the Westwood Village Memorial Park, which is off of Wilshire Blvd and the crypt is more than two feet above ground.

Rather than DHS and US CBP agents using logic, reasoning and human analysis or Mr. Van Bryan’s tweets, the agency has proven the dangers of relying on an automated keyword scraping system, trolling social media sites, without human intervention. The DHS’s predilection for using technology that is not analyzed before reaching the front lines wastes the agencies resources and for Mr. Van Bryan and Ms. Bunting, landed two innocent tourists in a U.S. Customs and Border Protection central holding facility, before being deported the next day.

As a final “Welcome To America” parting gift, the two were informed they must now seek visas from the U.S. Embassy before travel to the United States.

National Security is serious business, and the job of Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents is challenging. Somewhere in the challenges security agents face in determining legitimate threats, agents must exercise their own common sense. If a message found while seeking threats through situational awareness keyword searches of social media chatter, agents must seek context before reacting. Should a threat be deemed worthy of further investigation, agents must have the ability to clear a threat after interview and search of detailed parties … because without the interjection of common logic and human intervention in keyword searches for threats, there is bound to be a massive amount of misinterpreted comments that will needlessly be investigated.

Happy Flying!

@flyingwithfish

My father’s passing was not a shock, as I had been down to Manhattan see him in the intensive care unit two weeks ago, and spent three days with him in the intensive care unit this week, but there is still not much comfort in the facts you know in your head when your phone rings.

My father is an unlikely catalyst for world travelers, but somehow he was.  Growing up in Brooklyn, the furthest he had traveled outside of the United States was Canada, while in the Army.  Later in life he took cruises and saw the Caribbean, but he always encouraged his three sons to travel.  He understood the world, and many facets that made the world a global environment without ever having crossed an ocean.

Growing up next to JFK International Airport,  the global gateway to the United States, my brothers and I always had airplanes overhead, which encouraged our desire to travel, and this was encouraged by our Dad. My father, without seeing the world first hand, sent two of his sons to visit the Soviet Union, a son to study in Australia, let a son pick up head off to London for a few months … all while we were still in high school.  Since then, my Dad’s kids have collectively set foot on every continent, and found ourselves curious about the world we live in, and very comfortable to just pick up and go anywhere, encountering situations that would make my father laugh even though he could never experience them.   One experience sticks out in my mind, involving my brother and I meeting up at Hong Kong International Airport, I was arriving and my brother was departing. I stood in the lower level immigrations arrival area, before passport control, as my brother stood in the upper level departures area and we shouted back and forth, chatting normally. A seemingly normal conversation thousands of miles from home, because somewhere along the way we were encouraged to go out and be part of the world.

My Dad was not an airplane person, but while he never openly encouraged my love of planes, he sure did a lot to assist my airplane fascination.  Saturday mornings in my house meant one thing as a kid, a trip to the flea market. My Dad was a consummate flee market expert, going every Saturday to the flee market near our house, always followed by a trip to McDonalds for breakfast afterwards if I was with him. After breakfast, the drive home frequently went the long way, driving home up Rockaway Blvd, which runs parallel to the north side perimeter of JFK International Airport.   Every now and again the drive home included a spin through the terminals at the airport.

Every summer was spent at the Atlantic Beach, where it overlaps with The Rockaways, right under the approach and departure waypoints for JFK Airport’s Runways 13R/31L and 13L/31R.  As a kid going to the beach meant watching the Concorde more than once a day, often arriving then departing, as well as planes from all over the world. At the beach my Dad would often take walks down the jetty, and would ask me what airlines were overhead. While my Dad often didn’t know the answer, he knew I usually did, or if I didn’t I’d be determined to find out.

My Dad and I rarely agreed on many things, and almost never saw eye to eye, which is probably not uncommon, but he pushed my brothers and I to find out who we were, and know why we were who we were.  My Dad pushed us to think of others rather than ourselves. My Dad pushed us to think beyond common conventional thinking … although he’d deny it vehemently.

This morning, as I sat in the dark before my kids were awake, absorbing the news I glanced over at a National Geographic Magazine sitting on the floor, that had been knocked off the night stand, and thought of something I heard many times from my Father when I’d ask questions about the world, he’d look at me and say “Go get a National Geographic.” Funny … I always have gone and read National Geographic.

As I ponder the difficult task of telling my kids that Grandpa is no longer with us, and reconcile everything that I think everyone probably reconciles while dealing with a situation such as this I leave you with this.    As a kid my Dad used to tell me to sit behind the wing, because if you could see the wing attached to the plane outside the window you knew everything was OK.   To this day I always try and find a window seat right behind the wing when possible.

Happy Flying Dad!

@flyingwithfish

As far as airline engagement with social media is concerned, JetBlue is generally considered to be towards the top of the list. They were an early adopter and have built out a sizable official team to handle the @JetBlue account. Somewhat more interesting, however, is the participation in Twitter of so many senior executives of the company, right up to the CEO. And following the tweets of @DavidJBarger you never know what you’ll see.

The content of the tweets ranges widely, from his die-hard Detroit sports fan comments to notes about work travel (lots of trips to Orlando for new hire orientation) to bits about supporting non-profits that the airline partners with. The past few days, however, have seen a much different tone. Following a tweet from the main company account about following along as the boss visits various airports:

Apparently that unleashed a flood of new route/destination requests to the CEO. That, or he just decided to finally respond to all the queries outstanding. Either way, the past few days have seen many tweets on route planning, including some interesting insight on what destinations might be coming and which probably will not.

In the northeast there were discussions on Providence, RI:

Long Island’s Islip got a mention:

And Massachusetts’ Worcester actually got some action, including confirmation of an upcoming visit from the company. Hard to believe that Worcester is a serious option right now, but they’re taking a look at least.

New Haven, Connecticut also got a mention, but probably not the news the locals were hoping to hear:

Nashville used to be a station served by JetBlue and their Embraer aircraft still see maintenance done there on a regular basis, but no commercial service. That doesn’t seem like it is going to change any time soon:

And down in Florida there are some interesting indicators on which markets have potential and which don’t. Nothing particularly surprising, but still some interesting insights:

On the international front, it looks like the company is holding to its current plan of avoiding long-haul service on their own, choosing partners instead. Hopefully more of those partnerships will develop along the lines of the recent
Hawaiian Airlines deal making them actual partnerships, not just interline connections for customers.

Doesn’t mean that all international expansion is off the table though:

None of this is insider information, to be sure. Little of it is even surprising. Still, it is great to see the boss getting involved and taking such an interest in customer inquiries. Well, I suppose it is great unless you run the Corporate Communications group:

Oopsie.