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Transportation Security Administration

Congress Loses VIP Perks Through Major Airline As Shutdown Fuels Airport Chaos Congress Loses VIP Perks Through Major Airline As Shutdown Fuels Airport Chaos
Congress Loses VIP Perks Through Major Airline As Shutdown Fuels Airport Chaos Delta Air Lines said it is suspending special travel services for members of Congress as airports nationwide are gripped by hourslong lines amid the ongoing partial government shutdown. The carrier confirmed the suspension of the perks on Tuesday, March 24. Lawmakers won't receive airport escorts, seat upgrades, and priority rebooking during the pause, although a dedicated reservation phone line will remain available. The move comes as flyers face growing delays at security checkpoints, with more Transportation Security Administration agents quitting or calling out sick. TSA …
800+ Flights Canceled As FAA Orders Huge Cuts During Gov't Shutdown: What To Know 800+ Flights Canceled As FAA Orders Huge Cuts During Gov't Shutdown: What To Know
800+ Flights Canceled As FAA Orders Huge Cuts During Gov't Shutdown: What To Know Airlines began canceling hundreds of flights after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered reductions as the longest federal government shutdown in US history strains air traffic control staffing. According to FlightAware, at least 834 US-based flights were canceled as of 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 7. That's a dramatic increase from the 202 flights that were scrapped on Thursday, Nov. 6. The hubs most affected included Chicago O'Hare, Atlanta, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Phoenix. Around 1,360 US-based flights were also delayed as airports struggle with fewer air traffic controllers and …
Flights Slashed At These DC Airports Amid Gov't Shutdown: See Which Ones Flights Slashed At These DC Airports Amid Gov't Shutdown: See Which Ones
Flights Slashed At These DC Airports Amid Gov't Shutdown: See Which Ones Thousands of flights are expected to be canceled as the Federal Aviation Administration reduces air traffic capacity during the longest government shutdown in US history. The FAA will begin cutting flight capacity by up to 10% at 40 major airports across the country on Friday, Nov. 7. The agency said it would officially announce the airports on Thursday, Nov. 6, but several media outlets obtained the FAA's list. The cuts are expected to start at 4% Friday and gradually reach 10%, ABC News reported. Flights scheduled between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. will be affected by the reduction. Th…
Razor Rules: TSA Tightens Carry-On Guidance Razor Rules: TSA Tightens Carry-On Guidance
Razor Rules: TSA Tightens Carry-On Guidance Airline passengers have long faced confusion over what can and can’t make it through airport security. Now, the Transportation Security Administration is reminding travelers where to draw the line when it comes to razors. In an advisory shared this week, the agency confirmed that disposable razors and cartridges are permitted in carry-on bags.  But safety razors with blades, loose razor blades, and straight razors are prohibited and must be checked. The TSA clarified that travelers may bring the handle of a safety razor in a carry-on only if the blade has been removed. Blades themselv…
TSA Rolls Out New Rule For Checked Luggage TSA Rolls Out New Rule For Checked Luggage
TSA Rolls Out New Rule For Checked Luggage Packing for your next flight just got a little trickier, especially if you’re hoping to bring your favorite cordless curling iron along for the ride. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has just clarified its rules for travelers who want to style on the go: cordless curling irons powered by gas cartridges or butane are now only allowed in carry-on bags, not checked luggage.  Each passenger may bring just one, and it must have a safety cover fitted over the heating element. Spare cartridges remain strictly prohibited. The TSA’s latest update is part of its ongoing effort t…
TSA Announces New Changes At Security Checkpoints TSA Announces New Changes At Security Checkpoints
TSA Announces New Changes At Security Checkpoints Traveling just got a little easier at America’s airports.  The Department of Homeland Security has announced new changes to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.  They are rolling out dedicated lanes for families and military members to streamline the screening process. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem introduced the “Families on the Fly” program at Nashville International Airport on Tuesday, Aug. 5.  She explained that families traveling with children will now have access to special security lanes designed to make the process less stressful. The…
Explosive Fires, Burn Injury Spark Latest Wireless Charger Recall Explosive Fires, Burn Injury Spark Latest Wireless Charger Recall
Explosive Fires, Burn Injury Spark Latest Wireless Charger Recall Thousands of portable phone chargers sold online and at airport vending machines are being recalled after reports of fires, explosions, and a burn injury. The recall affects about 8,520 iStore Magnetic Wireless Power Banks sold in the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, July 18. About 6,400 of the portable chargers were purchased in Canada. Lithium-ion batteries inside the power banks can overheat while charging and catch fire, according to the CPSC. Three fire incidents have been reported, including one person who suffered a minor arm burn and about …
Rule Involving Status Of Popular Carry-On Item Spelled Out By TSA Rule Involving Status Of Popular Carry-On Item Spelled Out By TSA
Rule Involving Status Of Popular Carry-On Item Spelled Out By TSA Before you zip up your suitcase, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wants you to rethink where you stash one of the most-used travel gadgets of the smartphone era. The agency has issued a summer reminder about portable power banks — those pocket-size lithium-ion battery packs that keep phones and tablets alive on long flights. The bottom line: they are allowed only in carry-on luggage, never in checked bags. TSA’s rule is explicit: Carry-On Bags: Yes Checked Bags: No "Portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags," th…
TSA To End Shoes-Off Policy At Airport Security Checkpoints, Report Says TSA To End Shoes-Off Policy At Airport Security Checkpoints, Report Says
TSA To End Shoes-Off Policy At Airport Security Checkpoints, Report Says It may soon be time to leave your shoes on at the airport. After nearly two decades of making travelers remove footwear at security checkpoints, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reportedly phasing out the long-standing policy at many major airports across the country. Passengers in general screening lanes — not just those with TSA PreCheck — will no longer need to remove their shoes at dozens of high-volume US airports, according to an internal agency memo obtained by ABC News. The change will roll out gradually nationwide, with more airports adopting the new approach ov…
Beware Of These Airport Mistakes, TSA Says Beware Of These Airport Mistakes, TSA Says
Beware Of These Airport Mistakes, TSA Says Think twice before you plug in or log on at the airport. Travelers who rely on free Wi-Fi or public charging stations could be putting their personal data at serious risk, federal officials say. In a warning aimed at cyber-safety during peak travel season, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) flagged two common behaviors that could make travelers targets for hackers: Avoid USB charging stations. Hackers can install malware at public ports — a method known as “juice jacking” or “port jacking.” Instead, use a TSA-compliant power bank or wall charger. Don’t trust public Wi-Fi. Ne…
Southwest's New Carry-On Rule Targets Fire Risks: Here's What's Changing Southwest's New Carry-On Rule Targets Fire Risks: Here's What's Changing
Southwest's New Carry-On Rule Targets Fire Risks: Here's What's Changing Passengers flying on Southwest Airlines will soon have to take their portable chargers out of their bags if they want to use them in the air. Southwest will begin a new policy requiring portable charging devices to be kept in plain sight on Wednesday, May 28. Power banks in use during flights can't be stashed in carry-ons or overhead bins. The rule aims to reduce the risk of mid-air fires caused by overheating battery packs, which have become a growing concern for airlines. "Southwest will introduce a first-in-industry safety policy on May 28 requiring customers to keep portable …
REAL ID ‘Deadline’ Not So Real? TSA Still Allowing Some To Fly Without It REAL ID ‘Deadline’ Not So Real? TSA Still Allowing Some To Fly Without It
Real ID ‘Deadline’ Not So Real? TSA Still Allowing Some To Fly Without It The federal REAL ID deadline is officially here — but travelers say enforcement may not be as strict as advertised. Beginning Wednesday, May 7, TSA started enforcing the long-postponed REAL ID Act, which requires a REAL ID-compliant license or federally approved ID to board domestic flights. But social media users and TSA say passengers without one are still being allowed to fly — after undergoing extra screening. If you have a non-compliant state ID or driver’s license and do not have another acceptable form of ID, you'll be notified of your noncompliance (see photo below), and you may …
Enforcement Starts For REAL ID Nationwide: Here's What To Know Enforcement Starts For REAL ID Nationwide: Here's What To Know
Enforcement Starts For Real ID Nationwide: Here's What To Know Travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license — or another approved form of identification — to board commercial flights and access federal facilities under updated security requirements starting this week. Enforcement begins Wednesday, May 7. Passed in 2005 in response to 9/11 Commission recommendations, the REAL ID Act established tougher security standards for state-issued licenses and ID cards. REAL ID credentials will be essential for domestic air travel, entering federal buildings, and accessing certain restricted facilities. REAL ID-compliant licenses are available in al…
TSA Rolls Out New Rules For Carry-On, Checked Bags TSA Rolls Out New Rules For Carry-On, Checked Bags
TSA Rolls Out New Rules For Carry-On, Checked Bags Travelers flying through select US airports will now face new rules on what they can — and can’t — bring aboard or stow beneath. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has rolled out revised security guidelines that simultaneously relax some long-standing restrictions on carry-on items while tightening rules on checked baggage. What’s Changing For Carry-Ons? At select airports, including Atlanta (ATL), John F. Kennedy (JFK), and Los Angeles International (LAX), new CT scanners are making it easier for passengers to keep items in their bags during screening. The advanced imaging …
Need A REAL ID Fast? Here’s Who Qualifies For NJ’s Emergency Appointment Program Need A REAL ID Fast? Here’s Who Qualifies For NJ’s Emergency Appointment Program
Need A Real ID Fast? Here’s Who Qualifies For NJ’s Emergency Appointment Program The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) is rolling out an emergency REAL ID program for travelers facing urgent or life-or-death situations just weeks before federal enforcement begins, officials announced on Monday, April 21. The move comes ahead of the May 7, TSA deadline requiring REAL ID-compliant identification for domestic air travel. “Anticipating the recent increase in demand... we have made many additional accommodations to service as many customers with REAL ID as possible,” Acting NJMVC Chief Administrator Latrecia Littles-Floyd said. The program is only for customers wh…
REAL ID Deadline Nears: What To Expect If You’re Not Compliant REAL ID Deadline Nears: What To Expect If You’re Not Compliant
Real ID Deadline Nears: What To Expect If You’re Not Compliant A major change affecting millions of travelers at airport checkpoints is about to take effect, and those who aren't prepared could run into trouble. Once enforcement begins on Wednesday, May 7, travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued credential or another acceptable form of ID can expect delays when they arrive at the TSA security checkpoint. A Real ID will also be needed to access federal facilities under updated security requirements Earlier report - REAL ID Enforcement Set To Start Nationwide: Here's When According to the Transportation Security Administration (T…
Loaded Handgun Found In Carry-On Bag At Westchester County Airport: CT Man Arrested Loaded Handgun Found In Carry-On Bag At Westchester County Airport: CT Man Arrested
Loaded Handgun Found In Carry-On Bag At Westchester County Airport: CT Man Arrested A Fairfield County man was arrested at Westchester County Airport after TSA officers discovered a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag at the security checkpoint, officials said.  The incident occurred on Sunday, March 30, and marks the first firearm intercepted at the airport this year, according to the Transportation Security Administration.  TSA officers detected the 9mm handgun, which was packed with a magazine containing 10 bullets, during routine screening. The Westchester County Police Department was immediately contacted and responded quickly to confiscate the weapon and arr…
REAL ID Enforcement Set To Start Nationwide: Here's When REAL ID Enforcement Set To Start Nationwide: Here's When
Real ID Enforcement Set To Start Nationwide: Here's When Travelers will soon need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license—or another approved form of identification—to board commercial flights and access federal facilities under updated security requirements. Enforcement begins Wednesday, May 7. Passed in 2005 in response to 9/11 Commission recommendations, the REAL ID Act established tougher security standards for state-issued licenses and ID cards. REAL ID credentials will be essential for domestic air travel, entering federal buildings, and accessing certain restricted facilities. TSA Administrator David Pekoske said, “Identity verification is …
TSA PreCheck May Not Save You Much Time But Could Help Your Sanity, New Survey Says TSA PreCheck May Not Save You Much Time But Could Help Your Sanity, New Survey Says
TSA PreCheck May Not Save You Much Time But Could Help Your Sanity, New Survey Says Despite its fast-lane promise, TSA PreCheck may not save flyers much time but does make the airport experience less stressful, a new survey said. TSA PreCheck members save just seven minutes in security lines on average, according to the survey released by travel website Upgraded Points on Tuesday, Mar. 25. The PreCheck respondents did report feeling far less stressed than other travelers. More than 1,500 people were polled earlier in March. The survey compared wait times, stress levels, and satisfaction among those with and without TSA PreCheck.  The program, which launched…
Constipated NJ Jewish Man Yanked From Plane Toilet With Pants Down As NY Pal Watched: Lawsuit Constipated NJ Jewish Man Yanked From Plane Toilet With Pants Down As NY Pal Watched: Lawsuit
Constipated NJ Jewish Man Yanked From Plane Toilet With Pants Down As NY Pal Watched: Lawsuit Two Jewish men from New York and New Jersey say they were humiliated, handcuffed, and searched after a bathroom break during a United Airlines flight led to them being removed by federal agents, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan. Yisroel Liebb, of New Jersey, says he was using the bathroom on United Flight 1601 from Tulum, Mexico to Houston on Jan. 28, when the pilot allegedly ripped open the door and pulled him out—with his pants still down and his genitals exposed to other passengers and crew, the suit says. Liebb had told a flight attendant he was experiencing co…
Shell-Shocked! TSA Finds Live Turtle In Man’s Pants At Newark Airport Shell-Shocked! TSA Finds Live Turtle In Man’s Pants At Newark Airport
Shell-Shocked! TSA Finds Live Turtle In Man’s Pants At Newark Airport A Pennsylvania man was caught with a turtle concealed in his pants when a Transportation Security Administration body scanner triggered an alarm near his groin on Friday, March 7 at Newark Liberty International Airport, the TSA said in a release. A pat down by an officer revealed there was something concealed in the man’s groin, the TSA said. When asked if there was something hidden in his pants, the man, a resident of East Stroudsburg, ,reached down the front of his pants and pulled out a live turtle that was wrapped in a small blue towel. The turtle was estimated to be about 5-inches in le…
Myerstown Musician Busted With Loaded Gun At Airport Checkpoint: TSA Myerstown Musician Busted With Loaded Gun At Airport Checkpoint: TSA
Myerstown Musician Busted With Loaded Gun At Airport Checkpoint: TSA A Pennsylvania musician’s trip through Lehigh Valley International Airport took a shocking turn when TSA officers caught him with a loaded gun at security, officials said Friday, Feb. 21. The Myerstown man, who wasn’t even scheduled to fly, had a “gate pass” to enter the secure area for a performance on Thursday, Feb. 20, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said. But as he emptied his pockets at the checkpoint, he suddenly realized he was still carrying his loaded .380 caliber handgun. TSA officers immediately sounded the alarm, and Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority police s…
REAL ID Enforcement Set To Begin Nationwide: Here's When REAL ID Enforcement Set To Begin Nationwide: Here's When
Real ID Enforcement Set To Begin Nationwide: Here's When Travelers and those accessing federal facilities will soon need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another approved form of identification under new security requirements. The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005 in response to 9/11 Commission recommendations, requires stricter security standards for state-issued licenses and ID cards.  These credentials will be essential for boarding commercial flights, entering federal buildings, and accessing certain restricted facilities. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske emphasized the importance of compliance, …
PA Man Had Loaded Gun In Carry-On Bag At Newark Airport: TSA PA Man Had Loaded Gun In Carry-On Bag At Newark Airport: TSA
PA Man Had Loaded Gun In Carry-On Bag At Newark Airport: TSA A Pennsylvania man was arrested after he had a gun in his carry-on bag while going through security at Newark Liberty International Airport on Wednesday, Dec. 18, authorities said. The Bensalem man was arrested by Port Authority Police after the .380 caliber gun, which was loaded with six bullets, was caught by the Transportation Security Administration, they said in a release. Twelve additional accessible bullets were also detected in the man’s carry-on bag in two additional gun magazines, the TSA said. The man said he did not realize he had his loaded gun with him, the TSA said. Thi…
Loaded Guns Found At Two PA Airport Checkpoints On Same Day: TSA Loaded Guns Found At Two PA Airport Checkpoints On Same Day: TSA
Loaded Guns Found At Two PA Airport Checkpoints On Same Day: TSA TSA officers intercepted loaded firearms at Harrisburg International Airport and Pittsburgh International Airport on Monday, Dec. 16, delaying travelers at both checkpoints, officials announced. At Harrisburg International Airport, a Lancaster man was caught with a loaded 9mm handgun containing 13 bullets in his carry-on bag. TSA officers halted the screening process until police arrived, removed the weapon, and cited the man on a weapons charge. The firearm was returned to the passenger’s vehicle before he resumed his travels, TSA said. Meanwhile, at Pittsburgh International Airport, TSA o…
Shotgun Shell Containing Meth Found On Man At Philadelphia Airport: TSA Shotgun Shell Containing Meth Found On Man At Philadelphia Airport: TSA
Shotgun Shell Containing Meth Found On Man At Philadelphia Airport: TSA A Pennsylvania was caught with an altered shotgun shell containing methamphetamine while moving through a security checkpoint at the Philadelphia International Airport on Monday, Sept. 30, according to the Transportation Security Administration. As the man moved through the checkpoint, a scanner alarmed in his groin area where the shotgun shell was found under his clothing, TSA said.  The white powder found inside the modified shell was tested and found to be methamphetamine. The man, who was not named but identified as an Orangeville, PA resident, was arrested by Philadelphia police,…
Loaded Gun In Carry-On Bag At LaGuardia Will Mean 'Stiff' Fine For Halesite Man, TSA Says Loaded Gun In Carry-On Bag At LaGuardia Will Mean 'Stiff' Fine For Halesite Man, TSA Says
Loaded Gun In Carry-On Bag At LaGuardia Will Mean 'Stiff' Fine For Halesite Man, TSA Says A major airport no-no could cost a Long Island traveler thousands of dollars. The Suffolk County man, of Halesite, was found with a loaded gun in his carry-on bag during a security screening at LaGuardia Airport on Thursday, Sept. 5, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said. When the bag was identified by TSA as possibly containing a firearm, it was automatically diverted to a different conveyor belt for closer inspection. That’s when agents found the 9mm handgun loaded with nine bullets, including one in the chamber. Police allowed the man to return the gun to his vehicle. He…
All-New NY Mobile ID Off To Great Start With Tens Of Thousands Of Users: 'Key Step' All-New NY Mobile ID Off To Great Start With Tens Of Thousands Of Users: 'Key Step'
All-New NY Mobile ID Off To Great Start With Tens Of Thousands Of Users: 'Key Step' Tens of thousands of New Yorkers are embracing the future by using a digital version of their state-issued driver's license or identification on their smartphones, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced.  Hochul just revealed that over 100,000 New York residents have finished their enrollment for a New York Mobile ID on their phones.  Earlier Report - Brand-New Mobile ID Launches In NY, Promises 'Convenience, Security' The voluntary product, available for iOS and Android, was designed for "convenience and security" and can be downloaded by anyone with a valid, New York state-issued dri…
France-Bound Passenger Found With Loaded Magazine, Handgun At Newark Airport: TSA France-Bound Passenger Found With Loaded Magazine, Handgun At Newark Airport: TSA
France-Bound Passenger Found With Loaded Magazine, Handgun At Newark Airport: TSA A Westchester County, NY man traveling to France was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport on Tuesday, Aug. 6 after he had a gun and ammunition in his carry-on bag, authorities said. The man had a ticket to Nice, France and was arrested by Port Authority Police at Terminal B after his handgun was flagged in the checkpoint X-ray machine, the Transportation Security Administration said.  He also had a magazine loaded with five bullets, the TSA said. The federal penalty for bringing a weapon to a TSA checkpoint can cost as much as $15,000.
Brand-New Mobile ID Launches In NY, Promises 'Convenience, Security' Brand-New Mobile ID Launches In NY, Promises 'Convenience, Security'
Brand-New Mobile ID Launches In NY, Promises 'Convenience, Security' Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that New Yorkers can now have a digital version of their state-issued driver's license or identification right on their smartphones. Hochul and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles announced on Tuesday, June 11 that the new program, New York Mobile ID, was now available to all New Yorkers. Available to anyone with a smartphone, New York Mobile ID (or MiD) is a highly secure digital version of a state-issued driver's license, learner’s permit, or non-driver identification card that can be used at nearly 30 TSA security checkpoints across the country. …
'Possible Insider Threat' Involving BWI Airport Employee Averted At Checkpoint: TSA 'Possible Insider Threat' Involving BWI Airport Employee Averted At Checkpoint: TSA
'Possible Insider Threat' Involving BWI Airport Employee Averted At Checkpoint: TSA TSA officers at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) intercepted a loaded handgun over the holiday weekend that was in the possession of a retail shop employee who works there, officials say. The employee - who now faces serious consequences - was caught with a 9mm handgun that was loaded with eight bullets when it was found in his belongings as he was screened at the checkpoint on the way to work. Police investigators at the airport were contacted, responded to the checkpoint and confiscated the weapon. The Baltimore man was cited on firearm charges and h…