Archive for ‘Airports’

More TSA Stupidity

by Lewis Derkins
July 24th, 2008, 7:13 pm


My favorite anti-heroes, the Terribly Stupid Administration, are at it again. It seems that screeners are getting a little “overzealous” in their searches. In Chicago, Robert Perry, a 71-year-old wheelchair-bound man, was searched in public view in a see through room ... more

Posted in Airports, Government Workers, Security | 2 Comments »

TSA Keeps the Change

by Lewis Derkins
June 24th, 2008, 10:25 pm


How much can I possibly hate the Totally Stupid Administration? Every time I start to think that I’ve hit rock bottom with this agency, and there’s nowhere to go but up, I hear about another moronic program or initiative that ... more

Posted in Airports, Government Workers | 2 Comments »

Another Boondoggle: Variable Speed Limit Signs

by Judd Wiley
June 20th, 2008, 5:09 pm


When you refuse to increase highway capacity at the rate of population growth, all sorts of hair-brained schemes to reduce traffic congestion emerge. Here’s the latest. The Virginia Department of Transportation (V-DOT) is erecting new speed limit signs with digital readouts. ... more

Posted in Airports, Gas Prices, Government Workers, Highways, Politics, Spending, Technology, Traffic Congestion, Variable Speed Limit Signs | 1 Comment »

Airlines Cutting Back on Flights

by Lewis Derkins
June 16th, 2008, 6:07 pm


Today the business section of the San Diego Union-Tribune ran a piece on U.S. airlines cutting back on domestic flights. The article laments this and tries to portray the development as bad for consumers. Just as air travelers were beginning to ... more

Posted in Airlines, Airports, Uncategorized Rage | 6 Comments »

Rwanda Trip Review: Does Rwanda’s Transportation Infrastructure Stomp Us?

by Lewis Derkins
June 14th, 2008, 2:10 pm


At last, I’m back from Rwanda. I had a very enjoyable trip, but it’s good to be home. The Rwandans were very hospitable and friendly, and they have a beautiful country. As most of you know, I spent some time ... more

Posted in Airports, Highways, Light Rail, Railroads, Spending, Third World Hellholes, Traffic Accidents, Traffic Congestion | 3 Comments »

TSA Fails to Discover Huge Drug Ring

by Lewis Derkins
June 3rd, 2008, 8:26 pm


Today, the Totally Stupid Administration proved yet again how utterly worthless it is when it was revealed that a suburban New Jersey couple had been smuggling millions of dollars worth of cocaine and cash into and out of the country ... more

Posted in Airports, Government Workers | 1 Comment »

TSA Foils Diabolical Plot by 10-Year Old Runaway – Well, Sort Of

by Lewis Derkins
May 28th, 2008, 5:15 pm


Today, ten-year old Semaj Booker was detained at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport while trying to run away to Dallas. An alert employee stopped him at the gate before he could board a Southwest Airlines flight to Sacremento. Apparently this isn’t his first ... more

Posted in Airlines, Airports, Government Workers | No Comments »

Denver TSA Behavior Detection Officers – Surprisingly Not Standing Around Picking Noses

by Lewis Derkins
May 20th, 2008, 6:00 pm


As many of our loyal readers have probably guessed, I’m not a big fan of the Totally Stupid Administration, or TSA. In general, I think this entire agency smacks of the worst in government incompetence. They’re always implementing new measures designed ... more

Posted in Airports, Government Workers | 1 Comment »

Board By Rows, Please

by Judd Wiley
May 19th, 2008, 10:50 pm


Missing your connecting flight is its own special category of commuter outrage. Unlike traffic and subway delays, it can lead to days of misery and wretchedness. Here’s the classic nightmare scenario. You arrive at your gate one minute late, and ... more

Posted in Airlines, Airports, Uncategorized Rage | 3 Comments »

Federal Flight Auctions

by Lewis Derkins
May 17th, 2008, 2:13 pm


Today, the New York Times reports that the Department of Transportation will begin auctioning landing slots at JFK and Newark airports to help alleviate congestion. Together the changes are meant to untangle the metropolitan skies and to make it easier for ... more

Posted in Airlines, Airports, Government Workers | No Comments »

Long Immigration Lines? Bypass U.S. Customs!

by Judd Wiley
May 15th, 2008, 3:00 pm


When I read this AP headline - "Airport Program Could Allow Bypass of Customs" - I instinctively checked the date on my computer to make sure it wasn't April Fools Day. Here's the whole story: Travelers who love going abroad - but ... more

Posted in Airports, Security | 3 Comments »

With Rodriguez, Chicago O’Hare Gets Priorities Straight

by Judd Wiley
May 13th, 2008, 11:06 pm


The newly appointed aviation commissioner of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Richard Rodriguez, is hell bent on fixing ... the concession stands. Yes, where you get your food and drink. At his city council confirmation hearing, Rodriguez said he thinks Chicago can do ... more

Posted in Airports, Government Workers, Spending | 3 Comments »

JetBlue: Toilet Seats Now Available

by Lewis Derkins
May 13th, 2008, 1:38 pm


JetBlue, whose motto is “happy jetting,” happily sentenced Mr. Gokhan Mutlu to a three hour toilet seat ride on Feb 23rd. While a seemingly amusing story on the face, it points to larger problems with the airline industry. How hard ... more

Posted in Airlines, Airports, Congress, Government Workers | No Comments »

Newark: New Takeoff Pattern Leads to Confusion, Incidents

by Judd Wiley
May 12th, 2008, 10:48 am


The NY Post reports: A new takeoff pattern aimed at easing congestion at Newark Airport has confused pilots and led to incidents in which planes turned in the wrong direction. Three of the incidents occurred in the last nine days, said Ray ... more

Posted in Air Traffic Controllers, Airports, Government Workers | No Comments »

Buffoonery: “Diamond Lane Self Select Program”

by Judd Wiley
May 11th, 2008, 4:23 pm


The stupid idiots at the Transportation Security Administration have created a new system to speed up airport security lines, the “Diamond Lane Self-Select Program.” The system allows passengers to select which security lane they think is most appropriate to their traveling ... more

Posted in Airports, Security | No Comments »