Stolen Cessna at Vancouver Airport: Rare, But Not Without Precedent
The recent incident in Vancouver—where an individual reportedly stole a Cessna 172 and flew it around the airport before safely landing—is certainly rare in aviation, but not entirely without precedent. While commercial aviation benefits from multiple layers of...
TSA PreCheck Still Has My Vote—Here’s Why It’s Worth It
With the latest headlines around TSA changing some long-standing procedures—like dropping the shoes-off rule—there’s been a lot of chatter about whether TSA PreCheck is still worth it. For me, the answer is an easy yes. I’ve been a PreCheck member since the program...
Keep Your Shoes On – Maybe It’s a Good Idea, Maybe It Isn’t: Let’s See
The Origin of the Shoe Removal Policy On December 22, 2001, Richard Reid attempted to detonate a bomb concealed in his shoe on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami. An alert flight attendant and several passengers managed to prevent the bombing, but the...
Observation Decks Are Making a Comeback—Here’s How Airports Are Keeping Them Safe
If you’ve been in the aviation world long enough, you probably remember when airport observation decks were common— they were places where families could wave goodbye to loved ones, spotters could photograph aircraft, and travelers could simply enjoy watching the...Unlocking Career Success in Airport Management: Insights on the AAAE Certified Member (C.M.) Program
As a Professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science and owner of Leading Edge Strategies, I have had the privilege of helping many students and professionals prepare for the Certified Member (C.M.) exam...
The Unseen Shield: What We Lose If We Dismantle the TSA
The bill has finally been introduced to abolish the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). On the surface, it’s an appealing soundbite—more efficiency, less government oversight, and the promise of returning to a “simpler time” in aviation. But from where I...
Dangerous Liaisons: Why Abolishing the TSA Would Take Us Backwards in Aviation Security
Recently, two U.S. Senators proposed a sweeping—and deeply misguided—plan to abolish the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), replacing it with privatized screening managed by airports. While the proposal may sound efficient on paper, as someone who has...
Evolving Airport Security Measures: What Passengers Can Expect
As an aviation security specialist with over three decades of experience, I’ve observed firsthand the dynamic nature of airport security protocols. Since the events of 9/11, travelers have adapted to various procedures—removing shoes, limiting liquids, and...
9/11, We Forgot
I finally lived long enough to see us forget about 9/11. Maybe not all of us but at least some politicians and others seem to have forgotten about it. They continue to call for the abolishment of the TSA, seemingly without any reasonable justification or thought about...
