Aviation Security Risks During Global Conflict and Government Disruptions
How do government shutdowns or funding disruptions affect the aviation security workforce, particularly TSA officers, and what risks could that create for the system? Periods of global conflict can increase the risk of retaliatory violence and opportunistic attacks at...
Serial Stowaway and Washington Post Rebuttal
With the serial stowaway back at work and a Washington Post op-ed making the rounds, the hue and cry will likely rise again to eliminate TSA altogether. The Post article promotes a return to airline managed privatized security at screening checkpoints, essentially...
The Hidden Toll: How a Government Shutdown Strains TSA and Air Traveler Confidence
Question: “How does a government shutdown affect air travel and airport security?” When Congress fails to fund the federal government, the impact reaches far beyond Washington. One of the first and most visible consequences is at America’s airports. During a shutdown,...
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...
