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Tag: Transportation Security Administration

  • It’s Thanksgiving week. These are expected to be the busiest travel days.

    It’s a busy week for millions of Americans who are traveling for Thanksgiving.

    At the nation’s airports, the TSA expects to screen nearly 18 million people from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to the Tuesday after the holiday, while the FAA expects this will be the busiest Thanksgiving in terms of flights in at least 15 years.

    Most people, however, will be traveling by car.  AAA projects that overall, 81.8 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday period.

    “This year’s domestic travel forecast includes an additional 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, setting a new overall record,” it says.

    Here is a look at the days that are expected to be the busiest for travelers. 

    Busiest days for flying

    Eight of the busiest days in TSA history have been this year, and the Sunday after Thanksgiving could join that list — or set a new record. The agency is planning to screen more than 3 million travelers on Sunday, Nov. 30, alone.

    “We are projecting that the Sunday after Thanksgiving will be one of the busiest travel days in TSA history,” Adam Stahl, senior official performing the duties of deputy TSA administrator, said in a statement.

    Airlines for America, a trade association that represents the airlines based in Washington, D.C., also expects the Sunday after Thanksgiving to be the busiest day of this Thanksgiving travel period, with 3.39 million travelers expected. 

    The group expects the second-busiest day to be Monday, Dec. 1, with 3.09 million travelers, followed by the Friday after Thanksgiving, with 3.06 million travelers.

    Overall, Airlines for America predicts that U.S. airlines will fly a record 31 million passengers from Friday, Nov. 21, through Monday, Dec. 1.

    The FAA says it expects this Thanksgiving holiday travel period to be the busiest in 15 years, with Tuesday, Nov. 25, being the peak travel day. More than 52,000 flights are expected nationwide on Tuesday.

    In the New York area, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey expects that Sunday, Nov. 30, and Monday, Dec. 1, will be the busiest days at the region’s airports: John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia Airport and New York Stewart International.

    The expectations for robust — and possibly record-breaking — travel follow disruptions in air travel nationwide during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Some air traffic controllers called out as they were being asked to work without pay, leading to delays and prompting federal authorities to order flight cuts across the nation.

    Those cutbacks ended last week, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday that “things look good from the air traffic control side. We are back to staffing levels that we had before the shutdown. I believe.”

    “if you can still get a ticket and you can still fly and your family still wants to see you, book that ticket, jump on a flight and don’t be afraid to fly this season,” he said.

    One family traveling to Las Vegas this weekend wasn’t sure what to expect.

    “I was very nervous about it,” Megan Mirka told CBS News at airport baggage claim. “I didn’t want to go, but everyone else did. So we came, and it was good. Whatever changed, I’m glad, ‘cuz this was very different than last month.”

    Busiest days for driving

    Some would-be flyers might be opting to instead drive to their Thanksgiving destinations because of the uncertainty at airports during the shutdown. 

    AAA expects that at least 73 million people will travel this year by car – accounting for nearly 90% of Thanksgiving travelers. 

    That number is 1.3 million more than last year, and “could end up being higher if some air travelers decide to drive instead of fly following recent flight cancellations,” AAA notes.

    The Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons before Thanksgiving are projected to be the most congested for drivers traveling in major metro areas nationwide, according to the transportation analytics firm INRIX. Tuesday from 12-9 p.m. and Wednesday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. are expected to be the “worst” travel times.

    “Travelers returning home on Sunday should expect heavy traffic most of the day,” INRIX says.

    According to AAA, Hertz says Wednesday is expected to be the busiest car-rental pick-up day.

    Thanksgiving week weather 

    Storms this week could impact travel.

    One of two cross-country storm systems is taking shape on Monday, bringing heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms across the South. It is forecast to move into the Ohio Valley and Northeast over the next two days, according to Nikki Nolan, meteorologist for CBS News and Stations.

    A second, more powerful storm system will deliver cold temperatures and snowfall to the northern U.S. and Great Lakes region. Snow totals could reach up to 14 inches near the Canadian border and the storm could bring high winds across parts of the Northern Plains. This system is expected to move across the Great Lakes through the week and bring lake effect snowfall downwind of Lake Erie and Ontario.

    Kris Van Cleave,

    Sarah Ploss and

    Nicole Sganga

    contributed to this report.

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  • Kristi Noem delivers bonus checks to some MSP Airport TSA employees in move union calls

    U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem returned to the Twin Cities on Sunday for the second time in a month.

    Noem stopped at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to deliver bonus checks to select TSA officers.

    “We have just endured the longest government shutdown in American history. It was 43 days where our federal government was shut down,” Noem said.

    In an effort to thank those who continued to work without pay during the shutdown, Noem hand delivered $10,000 bonus checks to 48 TSA employees who work at MSP Airport.

    “Ten-thousand dollars is going to help out a lot,” said TSA officer Jonathan Pringle.

    Alex Garcia has worked for TSA at the airport for 14 years.

    “One of the reasons I continue with the sacrifice is to ensure the safety of the traveling public,” Garcia said. “Ever since my service in the Marine Corp., I was called to something bigger than me.”

    Employee Steven Grubb said he struggled to afford basic needs during the shutdown.

    “The bane of my existence coming here everyday, driving here 45 minutes, was the distance to ’empty’ on my vehicle, and so I’m very grateful to everyone and I’m very grateful for this bonus,” Grubb said.

    Local 899 Airport Screeners Union argues these bonuses are illegal and only rewarded 7% of the MSP workforce. In a statement, union treasurer Neal Gosman said in part: “Nearly every TSO showed up consistently to maintain the security of the travelling public during the shutdown. The process of making these awards completely bypassed local management involvement and participation with the union.”

    WCCO asked Noem why some staff were excluded from the bonus, and she said they went to staff nominated for the reward.

    “Those nominations happen at the local level, where they serve and the individuals that they work with, also their leadership team,” Noem said. “It’s been applied equally across the department.”

    The union says they are donating more than $2,000 across local food shelves in Midwest states where they serve, including Minnesota. They said this donation is to thank TSO employees who worked during the shutdown.

    Marielle Mohs

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  • Thanksgiving travel rush in full swing

    An estimated 82 million Americans are expected to travel over the next week, according to AAA, and 18 million people are expected to fly, the TSA projects. Here’s how to navigate the Thanksgiving rush.

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  • TSA may start charging a fee for travelers without a Real ID or other approved ID

    If you don’t have a Real ID the next time you fly, it could cost you. 

    The Transportation Security Administration has proposed a rule that would charge travelers who lack a Real ID an $18 fee at security checkpoints, according to a notice published Thursday in the Federal Register.

    “This notice serves as a next step in the process in REAL ID compliance, which was signed into law more than 20 years ago and finally implemented by Secretary Noem as of May 2025,” a TSA spokesperson told CBS News, noting that the agency would soon provide additional guidance. “TSA is working with stakeholders and partners to ensure both security and efficiency at our checkpoints.”

    Embracing biometrics

    The TSA is launching a biometric identity verification program at its checkpoints to screen individuals who don’t have a Real ID or other suitable alternative form of identification, such as a passport. 

    Alternative ID verification methods are “time and resource intensive,” the TSA said in proposing the fee.

    “To address the government-incurred costs, individuals who choose to use TSA’s modernized alternative identity verification program will be required to pay an $18 fee,” the agency’s proposed rule states.

    Verifying people’s identity at the nation’s airports “is the first step in the physical screening process at a TSA security checkpoint and the last link in intelligence-based traveler prescreening, ensuring that high-risk travelers are identified. …” the proposal states. 

    The TSA said that biometric verification, which it also refers to as a registered traveler program, will streamline the process of identifying passengers. 

    Passengers will start incurring the $18 fee when the TSA announces that individuals may register for the alternative identity verification program at TSA.gov. 

    Daniel Green, co-founder of Faye Travel Insurance, thinks the fee proposal is reasonable, given that travelers have had ample time to obtain a Real ID. 

    “For years, they’ve been saying either get a Real ID or a passport or don’t travel,” he told CBS News. “So the idea that you can pay $18 and potentially travel anyway isn’t so unreasonable.”

    Check your driver’s license bureau

    The TSA began requiring passengers to present a Real ID or other approved documents in May. The enhanced form of identification can either be a driver’s license, learner’s permit or nondriver ID card.

    “The fact that TSA is floating an identity-verification fee suggests things are tightening,” said Sarah Silbert, a strategist at flight search engine Points Path. “If you haven’t updated your ID yet, it’s smart to take care of it soon, especially with peak travel season adding extra stress for everyone.”

    Requirements vary by state, so the TSA advises people to check their state’s driver’s license bureau website to see what documentation is required to obtain a Real ID.

    Edited by

    Alain Sherter

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  • Airlines are feeding air traffic controllers as they miss their first full paychecks

    Some airlines are stepping in to help feed air traffic controllers and other unpaid federal aviation workers who missed their first full paycheck on Tuesday, Day 28 of the government shutdown. 

    United Airlines told CBS News that it is helping support essential workers who are going unpaid during the stalemate in Washington, D.C.

    “United is donating meals for air traffic controllers and other federal workers whose pay is delayed. We appreciate the hardworking federal employees who are keeping the air travel system running,” the airline said in a statement. 

    United said that it’s feeding workers at the airline’s hubs across the country, including in Chicago; Denver; Houston; Los Angeles; Newark, N.J.; San Francisco; and Washington, D.C. 

    Delta Air Lines also confirmed to CBS News that it has “arranged for a limited number of meals for transportation sector workers,” while noting that it is operating “within the strict rules established for employees of federal government agencies.”

    Additionally, JetBlue said it is working with its federal partners, including local aviation officials, “to offer meals at our airports as a gesture of support.” The airline said it’s working with the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Federal Aviation Administration to coordinate those efforts.

    At a press conference on Tuesday at LaGuardia Airport in New York, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted air traffic controllers’ financial struggles as they go without pay.

    “This is day one,” he said of controllers missing their first full paychecks. “Day two gets harder, [and] day three is harder after that, as expenses continue to roll [in].”

    Duffy also noted that controllers are calling in sick in larger numbers than usual, as some seek side gigs with companies like Uber or DoorDash to make ends meet during the shutdown.

    Speaking at the same event, National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels also emphasized the financial pressure on his members. 

    “Air traffic controllers have to have 100% of focus 100% of the time,” he said. “And I’m watching air traffic controllers going to work. I’m getting the stories. They’re worried about paying for medicine for their daughter. I got a message from a controller that said, ‘I’m running out of money. And if she doesn’t get the medicine she needs, she dies. That’s the end.’”

    On average this year, 5% of flight delays were attributed to air traffic controller shortages, Duffy said. The personnel shortages at some airports were responsible for roughly 44% of the 8,700 flight delays on Sunday, while accounting for 24% of Monday’s delays, according to Duffy. 

    Controllers were planning to gather outside at least 17 airports nationwide on Tuesday to hand out leaflets urging an end to the shutdown, according to The Associated Press.

    “The pressure is real,” air traffic controller Joe Segretto, who works at a regional radar facility that directs planes at airports in the New York area, said at the press conference at LaGuardia. “We have people trying to keep these airplanes safe. We have trainees that are trying to learn a new job that is very fast-paced, very stressful, very complex now having to worry about how they’re going to pay bills.”

    Edited by

    Anne Marie D. Lee

    The Associated Press

    contributed to this report.

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  • Some airports refuse to play Noem video on shutdown impact, saying it’s political

    FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Airports big and small around the country are refusing to play a video with a message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in which she blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown and its impacts on Transportation Security Administration operations.

    Airports in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix, Seattle and more say the video’s political content goes against their policies or regulations prohibiting political messaging in their facilities.

    Various government agencies, in emails to workers and on websites, have adopted language that blames Democrats for the shutdown. Some experts argue it could be in violation of the 1939 Hatch Act, which restricts certain political activities by federal employees.

    The shutdown has disrupted routine operations at some airports, leading to flight delays. Democrats say any deal to reopen the government has to address their health care demands, and Republicans say they won’t negotiate until they agree to fund the government. Some medical insurance premiums would double if Congress fails to renew the subsidy payments that expire Dec. 31.

    In the video, Noem says the TSA’s “top priority” is to help make travel pleasant and efficient while keeping passengers safe.

    “However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” she continues.

    The TSA falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Roughly 61,000 of the agency’s 64,130 employees are required to continue working during the shutdown.

    A spokesperson for DHS responded to a request for comment restating some of the message from Noem’s video.

    “It’s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship. Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government,” spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said.

    DHS said Friday that the video is being rolled out to airports across the country.

    In Columbus, Ohio, the video was not being aired at John Glenn International Airport as of Tuesday. Spokesperson Breann Almos said it is under legal review but did not provide a timeline.

    The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, said it would not air the videos, citing rules against “politically partisan messages.”

    Near the border with Canada, travelers won’t see the video at Buffalo Niagara International Airport or Niagara Falls International Airport. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority said its “long-standing” policy and regulations prohibit “partisan messaging” in its facilities.

    The Chicago Department of Aviation said advertising and public service announcements must follow guidelines that “prohibit content that endorses or opposes any named political party.” In Florida, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport said it has a policy that doesn’t allow political messaging to be displayed in its facility. Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas said it had to “remain mindful of the Hatch Act’s restrictions.”

    “Per airport regulations, the terminals and surrounding areas are not designated public forums, and the airport’s intent is to avoid the use of the facility for political or religious advocacy,” the airport’s statement said.

    Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said the county north of New York City won’t play the video at its local airport. In a statement, he called the video “inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials,” and said its tone is “unnecessarily alarmist” as it relates to operations at Westchester County Airport.

    “At a time when we should be focused on ensuring stability, collaboration and preparedness, this type of messaging only distracts from the real issues, and undermines public trust,” he said.

    Even in red states, airports weren’t showing the video for various reasons. Salt Lake City International Airport wasn’t playing it because state law prohibits using city-owned property for political purposes, said airport spokesperson Nancy Volmer.

    The airport in Billings, Montana, “politely declined” even though it has screens that could show the video with audio, assistant aviation director Paul Khera said Tuesday.

    “We don’t want to get in the middle of partisan politics,” Khera said. “We like to stay middle of the road, we didn’t want to play that video.” ___

    Yamat reported from Las Vegas. Associated Press writers Mead Gruver in Fort Collins, Colorado; Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio; and Claire Rush in Portland contributed to this report.

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  • The government shutdown is putting a renewed spotlight on the cracks in the US aviation system

    By RIO YAMAT, Associated Press Airlines and Travel Reporter

    A startling message came over the radio from an air traffic control tower near Los Angeles less than a week into the federal government shutdown: “The tower is closed due to staffing.”

    Without enough air traffic controllers to guide planes into and out of Hollywood Burbank Airport, the tower went dark for almost six hours on Oct. 6, leaving pilots to coordinate their movements among themselves. Flight delays averaged two-and-a-half hours in one of the first visible signs that the shutdown was already taking a toll on the nation’s aviation system.

    Associated Press

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  • Flight delays persist at major U.S. airports as government shutdown continues

    Travelers planning to fly into or out of U.S. airports could feel the impact of staffing issues, which continue to build as the government shutdown reached its 10th day Friday.

    The “national picture today looks a little messy,” CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave said from Los Angeles International Airport on Friday. 

    Across the U.S., roughly 52,000 flights are scheduled ahead of the Columbus Day weekend, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

    Tasked with keeping travelers safe on the ground and in the air, TSA officers and air traffic controllers are deemed essential by the government, requiring them to keep working during the shutdown without immediate pay. 

    However, an uptick in workers calling out sick has led to sporadic flight delays and cancellations, raising concerns over staffing shortages. The scheduling irregularities come as potential weather disruptions are expected across the East Coast and in Phoenix.

    “On top top that you have uncertainty that’s been injected into basically everyone’s travels because of the staffing situation that we’re seeing pop up sporadically throughout the air traffic control system,” Van Cleave said. 

    Typically, air traffic controller shortages drive about 5% of all flight delays. That figure is currently 53%, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox Business. 

    “It doesn’t look like its a coordinated or targeted sick out per se, but you’re seeing more sick calls than you would normally see, and so, everyday, particularly as we get into the afternoon and evening hours, multiple FAA facilities have what are called staffing triggers, where they are short-staffed basically,” Van Cleave said. 

    “And some of those don’t result in a whole lot of disruption, and we’ve seen others that have been pretty disruptive,” he added. 

    For example, at Nashville International Airport in Tennessee on Thursday, roughly 40,000 flyers were inconvenienced by an air traffic controller shortage. “So it’s not nothing, even if the vast majority off air traffic controllers are working,” Van Cleave said. 

    Air traffic controllers who violate agency sick leave policies will face repercussions, Secretary Duffy said this week. 

    The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the union representing such workers, said in a statement on its website that it does not condone their members taking actions that would compromise the safety of the nation’s airspace. The union also urged workers to keep showing up on the job, despite not being paid on schedule. 

    “At this critical juncture, it is more important than ever that we rise to the occasion and continue delivering the consistent, high-level of public service we provide every day,” tNATCA stated. 

    Still, the impact of staffing shortages on flights so far has been minimal, reported Van Cleave, but delays could worsen as staffing shortages continue.

    “While delays and cancellations have been within historic norms this week, and the vast majority of fights are leaving on time, the amount of delays because of air traffic controllers staffing is up,” he said. 

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  • Travelers ranked these airports the best in North America




































    Best airport rankings



    These airports were ranked the best in North America. Here’s why.

    02:11

    J.D. Power has released its annual rankings for the best airports in North America.

    The findings are based on more than 30,000 flyer surveys from U.S. or Canadian residents.

    Key metrics included in the survey were:

    • How easy it is to travel through an airport
    • Level of trust or confidence in an airport
    • Facilities
    • Airport staff
    • Departure and arrival experiences
    • Food and retail

    Airports that incorporate food and local brands to create a “genuine sense of location” see a big boost in their scores and how much people spend while they are there, according to J.D. Power’s rankings report.

    Best airport winners

    The survey divided the airport rankings based on number of travelers. 

    The biggest airports – ones called “mega” airports – are defined as those with at least 33 million passengers per year. Large airports have between 10 and 32.9 million passengers per year and medium airports have 4.5 to 9.9 million passengers per year.

    Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was the top scoring mega airport for the second consecutive year, followed by Detroit and Phoenix.

    In the large airport category, John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, beat out Tampa International Airport and Dallas Love Field.

    Among medium airports, for the fourth year in a row, Indianapolis International Airport ranks highest. Indianapolis is routinely ranked as one of the best airports in the U.S. 

    It is followed by Southern California’s Ontario International and Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

    Overall, mega airports tend to lag behind smaller ones because passengers are more likely to hit longer wait times and experience bigger crowds.

    Kris Van Cleave

    Emmy Award-winning journalist Kris Van Cleave is the senior transportation correspondent for CBS News based in Phoenix, Arizona, where he also serves as a national correspondent reporting for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms.

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  • Travelers no longer have to remove their shoes during security screenings at US airports

    Travelers racing to catch a flight at U.S. airports no longer are required to remove their shoes during security screenings, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Tuesday.

    Noem said the end of the ritual put in place almost 20 years ago was immediately effective nationwide. She said a pilot program showed the Transportation Security Administration had the equipment needed to keep airports and aircraft safe while allowing people to keep their shoes on.

    In this Aug. 3, 2011 photo, an experienced airline passenger holds his shoes and has an unloosened belt while waiting to go through the Transportation Security Administration security checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser, File)

    “I think most Americans will be very excited to see they will be able to keep their shoes on, and it will be a much more streamlined process,” Noem said.

    While shoe removal no longer is standard procedure at airport security checkpoints, some travelers still may be asked to take off their footwear “if we think additional layers of screening are necessary,” she added.

    The travel newsletter Gate Access first reported that the TSA planned to make the security screening change soon.

    Security screening sans shoes became a requirement in 2006, several years after “shoe bomber” Richard Reid’s failed attempt to take down a flight from Paris to Miami in late 2001.

    In this Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, file photo, a belt and shoes sit in a trays with advertising that is being used in the safety screening of travelers done by the Transportation Security Administration, at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ann Johansson, File)

    In this Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, file photo, a belt and shoes sit in a trays with advertising that is being used in the safety screening of travelers done by the Transportation Security Administration, at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ann Johansson, File)

    All passengers between the ages of 12 and 75 were required to remove their shoes, which were scanned along with carry-on bags and other separated items such as outerwear.

    Travelers previously were able to skirt the requirement if they participated in the TSA PreCheck program, which costs around $80 for five years. The program allows airline passengers to get through the screening process without taking off their shoes, belts or light jackets, and without having to take their laptops and bagged toiletries out.

    PreCheck will remain the easier option for the time being since people going through regular screening stations still will have to put items besides shoes on a conveyor belt for scanning, Noem said.

    TSA plans to review other rules and procedures to see how airport screenings can be simplified and expedited, she said. The agency is testing separate lanes for military personnel and families with young children, and expects to pilot other changes in the next six to eight months, Noem said.

    In recent years, federal authorities have explored facial recognition technology and implemented Real ID requirements as a way to verify the identities of passengers.

    A Transportation Security Administration agent signals for the next airline passenger in line at a security checkpoint in Chicago's O'Hare International Airport Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

    A Transportation Security Administration agent signals for the next airline passenger in line at a security checkpoint in Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

    The Transportation Security Administration began in 2001 when President George W. Bush signed legislation for its creation two months after the 9/11 attacks. TSA hired federal employees as agents to replace the workers for private companies that airlines had used to handle security.

    Although regular air travelers are familiar with the intricacies of going through airport security, long lines during busy times and bags getting pulled aside for infractions such as forgotten water bottles can make the process fraught.

    President Donald Trump’s transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, asked the public in an April social media post what would make travel more seamless. The following day, Duffy posted on X that, “It’s clear that TSA is the #1 travel complaint. That falls under the Department of Homeland Security. I’ll discuss this with @Sec_Noem.”

    Trump fired TSA Administrator David Pekoske in January in the middle of a second five-year term. Trump had appointed Pekoske during his first term in the White House, and President Joe Biden reappointed him.

    No reason was given for Pekoske’s departure. The administrator position remains vacant, according to the TSA website.

    ___

    Lisa Leff contributed from Sonoma, California.

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  • Battery-powered devices are overheating more often on planes and raising alarm

    Battery-powered devices are overheating more often on planes and raising alarm

    Devices powered by lithium-ion batteries are overheating more often during airline flights and passengers often put them in checked bags that go into the cargo hold, where a fire might not be detected as quickly.

    Overheating incidents rose 28% from 2019 to 2023, although such events remain relatively rare, UL Standards & Engagement said in a report released Monday.

    E-cigarettes overheated more often than any other device, according to the report.

    In 60% of the cases, the overheating — called thermal runaway — happened near the seat of the passenger who brought the device on board.

    In July, a smoking laptop in a passenger’s bag led to the evacuation of a plane awaiting takeoff at San Francisco International Airport. Last year, a flight from Dallas to Orlando, Florida, made an emergency landing in Jacksonville, Florida, after a battery caught fire in an overhead bin.

    More than one-quarter of passengers surveyed for the study said they put vaping cigarettes and portable chargers in checked bags. That is against federal rules.

    The Transportation Security Administration prohibits e-cigarettes and chargers and power banks with lithium-ion batteries in checked bags but allows them in carry-on bags. The rule exists precisely because fires in the cargo hold might be harder to detect and extinguish.

    UL Standards & Engagement, part of a safety-science company once known as Underwriters Laboratories, said it based its findings on data from 35 passenger and cargo airlines including nine of the 10 leading U.S. passenger carriers.

    The Federal Aviation Administration reports 37 thermal-runaway incidents on planes this year, through Aug. 15. There were 77 reports last year, a 71% increase over 2019, according to the FAA numbers.

    Considering that airlines operate about 180,000 U.S. flights each week, incidents in the air are relatively uncommon, and lithium batteries can overheat anywhere.

    “We also know that one of these thermal-runaway incidents at 40,000 feet does present unique risks,” said UL’s David Wroth.

    Those risks have been known for many years.

    After cargo planes carrying loads of lithium-ion batteries crashed in 2010 and 2011, the United Nations’ aviation organization considered restricting such shipments but rejected tougher standards. Opponents, including airlines, argued that the decision on whether to accept battery shipments should be left up to the carriers, and some no longer take bulk battery shipments.

    The most common lithium-ion-powered devices on planes are phones, laptops, wireless headphones and tablets. About 35% of reported overheating incidents involved e-cigarettes, and 16% involved power banks.

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  • Maryland TSA official shares personal connection to 9/11 attacks – WTOP News

    Maryland TSA official shares personal connection to 9/11 attacks – WTOP News

    A TSA official in Maryland recalls being in New York City near the base of the World Trade Center complex when the first plane hit on 9/11.

    Tom Battillo shows a tattoo on his arm that includes the World Trade Center towers in front of an American flag and the words “Never Forget.”(WTOP/Nick Iannelli)

    As Americans look back on 9/11 over the coming week, an official with the Transportation Security Administration in Maryland recalls being in New York City near the base of the North Tower at the World Trade Center complex when the first plane hit.

    “The plane went right over my head and went into the north building,” Tom Battillo said.

    Battillo, who worked on Wall Street at the time, was supposed to be in a meeting at the top of that building.

    It just so happened that his son called him, so he decided to stay outside and talk to him on the phone.

    His colleagues who went into the building did not survive.

    “Good friends of ours didn’t make it because they went upstairs,” Battillo said. “We went to a lot of memorial services without closure. It takes a lot of time to get over what you would call survivor’s guilt.”

    He added that “days, weeks and months after that we were just trying to get ourselves back together.”

    Wednesday marks 23 years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

    Nearly 3,000 people were killed when hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field.

    “Around this time of year, things are a little tough,” Battillo said. “It just brings back everything that happened.”

    “When people were jumping — these are sounds that never leave your mind. You can still hear it,” he said. “You can still smell jet fuel burning.”

    Battillo works at BWI Marshall Airport as the assistant federal security director for mission support with the Transportation Security Administration, the agency that was created as a response to 9/11.

    The job itself provides some closure and holds deep meaning for Battillo, especially around the time of the anniversary.

    “There’s been a lot of healing just being able to work with people who every day come and support the mission,” he said.

    Battillo has a tattoo on his arm showing the World Trade Center towers in front of an American flag, along with the words, “Never Forget.”

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    Nick Iannelli

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  • Travelers are getting a head start on the long Labor Day weekend

    Travelers are getting a head start on the long Labor Day weekend

    Labor Day weekend is upon us, which means lots of people will be traveling. Here’s what to do if your flight gets canceled or delayed.

    Airports, highways, beaches and theme parks are expected to be packed across the U.S. this Labor Day weekend as a lot Americans mark the unofficial end of summer the same way they celebrated the season’s unofficial start: by traveling.

    After what’s already been a record-breaking summer for air travel, the Transportation Security Administration predicted its agents would screen more than 17 million people during a holiday period that started Thursday and runs through next Wednesday, about 8% more than last year.

    The TSA anticipates Friday being the busiest day. In a sign the summer travel season really is winding down, however, the agency said that fewer than 2 million passengers passed through airport security checkpoints one day this week — the first time that has happened since early March.

    If you plan to be part of the crowds heading out of town to enjoy one last blast of summer, here is a rundown of what you need to know.

    AP correspondent Julie Walker reports on Labor Day travel.

    How is holiday travel going so far?

    Busy, as expected, and flight delays were common.

    Airlines had canceled more than 200 U.S. flights as of late afternoon on the East Coast, a modest number by current standards. However, more than 4,500 other flights were delayed, led by Southwest and American, according to tracking service FlightAware.

    Plenty of people appeared to have heeded experts’ advice to get away as early as possible on Friday.

    Lines of cars and passengers appeared at Los Angeles International Airport before the sun was up. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport was buzzing early but slowed by midmorning, and parking spaces were still available.

    Why travel over a holiday weekend?

    Boston resident Dani Fleming flew across the country to visit her son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. She got to the airport at 4:30 a.m. for her departing flight and was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the lines moved both there and at San Francisco International Airport.

    “The flight was easy. (I) napped for a little bit, watched movies,” Fleming said. “This was a breeze.”

    Benjamin Schmeiser and his wife and 16-year-old daughter planned to fly from Chicago to San Diego to attend a concert of 1970s rock bands. It was the family’s first flight together since COVID-19 hit.

    “We have been looking forward to this trip for quite some time, and I’m happy that we can get the whole family in on the trip,” Schmeiser said while waiting at O’Hare International Airport. “A lot of us are huge live music fans, and we love sports. Now that travel is open, it’s much more affordable, we’re able to travel a lot more.”

    Where are the potential trouble spots?

    Weather is the leading cause of flight delays. Forecasts call for rain and maybe scattered thunderstorms from Texas to New England plus parts of Florida over the weekend, spreading over more of the Southeast on Monday.

    Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was still working to restore all services after what airport officials described as a possible cyberattack last weekend. Flights have been running normally all week, but the airport told passengers to arrive extra early and to avoid checking bags, especially on smaller airlines, because of problems with the bag-sorting system.

    Michael Novick got to SeaTac 30 minutes earlier than usual and checked three bags for his American Airlines flight to Dallas on Friday. “I was a little concerned about what things might look like, but it was absolutely seamless,” he said. “It was a normal day.”

    The only thing out of the ordinary: gate agents checked boarding passes manually, Novick said.

    What are prices like?

    Motorists are getting a break on gasoline. The nationwide average Friday was $3.35 per gallon, compared to $3.83 a year ago, according to AAA.

    For electric vehicles, the average price for a kilowatt of power at an L2 commercial charging station is about 34 cents. The average is under 25 cents in Kansas and Missouri but tops 40 cents in several states, including New Hampshire, Tennessee and Kentucky. Hawaii is the costliest, at 56 cents.

    Average airfares in July were down 7.1% from June and 2.8% from July 2023, according to the government’s consumer price index. Steve Hafner, CEO of the travel metasearch site Kayak, said airfares are dropping as the peak summer-vacation season ends.

    When is the best time to hit the road?

    Early morning or late evening. Transportation-data provider INRIX says traffic will be heaviest between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, when people head home.

    When will airports be busiest?

    The TSA expects to screen 2.86 million people Friday. That’s impressive, but it won’t rank among TSA’s top 15 days — 14 of which were this year. The single-day record of 3.01 million was set July 7, the Sunday after Independence Day.

    TSA says it has enough screeners to keep the time it takes to get through regular lines to 30 minutes or less and to no more than 10 minutes for PreCheck lines.

    American Airlines expects to operate 6,400 flights Friday, the same as Thursday, and 6,300 on Labor Day itself.

    What should I do if my flight is delayed or canceled?

    Check your flight’s status before leaving for the airport. It’s better to be stuck at home than stranded at the airport.

    If your flight is canceled, the airline might automatically rebook you. That might not be the best option.

    “Get on the phone (to the airline’s help center), get in front of an agent, reach out to the airline via social media if you have to, but find out what the other options are,” says Julian Kheel, the founder and CEO of Points Path, a browser extension that lets users compare fares with deals available using frequent-flyer points.

    Kheel said agents at the airport have more leeway to help but might be overwhelmed by the number of passengers needing help. DIY rebooking on the airline website or app might be faster, he said.

    Phone tip: If the airline has international help numbers, call one of those to get through more quickly.

    What about refunds and reimbursement?

    Airlines are required to provide refunds — including for extra fees paid — to passengers whose flights are canceled for any reason. However, they are not required to pay cash compensation, and no major U.S. airlines do. Only Alaska, Southwest and JetBlue even promise travel vouchers if the cancellation is their fault.

    If you’re stuck overnight, ask the airline about paying for a hotel, meals and ground transportation. All major U.S. airlines except Frontier promise to help with all three for “controllable” disruptions, according to the Transportation Department’s airline-policy dashboard.

    Keep receipts for all out-of-pocket expenses in case you can file a claim later.

    A few final tips

    — Leave early. Everything will take longer than you expect, including getting through airport security.

    — Watch the weather. Even if skies are clear at home, there could be storms at your flight’s destination or along your road route. Have a backup route.

    — Don’t check a bag. About one in every 170 checked bags was lost, damaged or stolen in May, the latest month covered by government figures.

    — Be nice. “Go with the flow. You don’t need to hate on the customer-service people. They’re doing the best they can,” said Shannon Beddingfield of Texas as she prepared to board a flight to Orlando, Florida.

    __

    Teresa Crawford in Chicago, Mat Otero in Dallas, Haven Daley in San Francisco and Jae C. Hong in Los Angeles contributed reporting.

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  • Even the kitchen sink: Snakes and other strange items intercepted at TSA checkpoints

    Even the kitchen sink: Snakes and other strange items intercepted at TSA checkpoints

    The Transportation Security Administration said it expects a record number of travelers at U.S. airports on Sunday as the agency braces for what is projected to be a crush at security checkpoints. More than 32 million people are forecast to pass through TSA screening between June 27 and July 8, according to the agency, a 5.4% increase from the same period last year. 

    With that tidal wave of travelers, TSA officials also expect to see a higher volume of banned items on conveyor belts.

    “We’ve seen anything from chainsaws on carry-on baggage [and] we’ve seen larger power tools and saws,” Michael Duretto, deputy federal security director for Los Angeles International Airport, told CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave. “Recently, we saw a hobby rocket — but it was a large rocket — that came to our checked baggage.”


    Tips for booking summer travel as TSA records 2nd busiest travel day of the year

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    “You can say that people will try to pack the kitchen sink if they could,” he added.

    And try they have, said Martin Garcia, a TSA officer in Los Angeles, who told Van Cleave that he has seen someone try to carry on a kitchen sink, while another passenger attempted to bring deer antlers on board. Other strange things TSA agents have intercepted so far this year include:

    • Throwing knives, such as those used by ninjas
    • Samurai sword
    • Machetes
    • Bag of snakes
    • Tasers
    • Replica hand grenade
    • Electric sander
    • Fireworks

    Bottles of water and firearms are the most frequently stopped items by TSA officials. TSA agents discovered a record 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints last year — most of them loaded. In the first quarter of 2024, the agency intercepted more than 1,500 firearms at airport checkpoints.


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    TSA also routinely intercepts more conventional items. In one recent incident, for example, Rep. Victoria Spartz, an Indiana Republican, received a citation for an unloaded handgun found in her luggage at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Although it is legal for airline passengers to travel with unloaded guns, the weapons must be locked in a hard-sided case and declared to the airline and placed in the passengers’ checked baggage, according to the TSA.

    TSA doesn’t confiscate firearms. When a gun is detected at a checkpoint, the agent must summon local law enforcement to take possession of the weapon. It is up to the law enforcement officer to arrest or cite the passenger in accordance with local law, but the TSA can impose a civil penalty of up to almost $15,000, according to the agency. 

    Khristopher J. Brooks

    Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. He previously worked as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, Newsday and the Florida Times-Union. His reporting primarily focuses on the U.S. housing market, the business of sports and bankruptcy.

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  • Are you traveling for July Fourth? Here’s how to beat the travel rush.

    Are you traveling for July Fourth? Here’s how to beat the travel rush.

    Fourth of July travel is coming up. AAA has some tips on what to expect


    Fourth of July travel is coming up. AAA has some tips on what to expect

    02:52

    The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and the travel rush is already heating up.

    Millions of Americans are preparing to get out of town sometime in the coming holiday week. That will likely mean busy roads, as well as packed airports and train stations.

    Motor club AAA projects that some 70.9 million travelers will head 50 miles (80 kilometers) or more from their homes over a nine-day Independence Day travel period — surpassing pre-pandemic numbers for the U.S. holiday. And the Transportation Security Administration expects to screen over 32 million individuals in airports from this Thursday through July 8, up 5.4% from last year’s numbers.

    Are you traveling for the Fourth? Here’s a rundown of what you need to know.

    Smooth sailing for travel around any holiday is never a given. But avoiding the most hectic times, when others are rushing out of town, is a good way to start.

    Car

    If you’re traveling by car for the Fourth of July, it’s best to hit the road in the morning, according to transportation data and insights provider INRIX. Peak traffic congestion varies by location, INRIX data published by AAA shows, but the worst times to drive on, or leading up to, the holiday are generally between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Either way, be prepared for the roads to be jammed.


    FAA administrator talks safety during busy travel season

    05:13

    “Road trips over the holiday week could take up to 67% longer than normal,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a prepared statement.

    July Fourth falls on a Thursday this year, and many travelers will likely take Friday July 5th off to extend their trip into a four-day weekend. Drivers in large metro areas can expect the biggest delays on Wednesday July 3 and Sunday July 7 — as travelers leave and return to town, Pishue added.

    And if you’re renting a car ahead of July Fourth, the busiest pickup days will be Friday, Saturday and Wednesday before the holiday, AAA notes.

    Plane

    Airports will also likely be packed all week long — but the TSA expects most people will take to the skies on Friday.

    It anticipates that it will screen more than 3 million individuals Friday. That would surpass the agency’s current record for most people screened on a single day, which reached just under 3 million last Sunday.

    “We expect this summer to be our busiest ever,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said, adding that travel typical peaks around Independence Day.


    Hot dogs are an American tradition. So’s wolfing them down in summer.

    02:14

    Last year, the busiest day for Fourth of July air travel was also the Friday ahead of the holiday, TSA data shows. If past trends hold, travel will likely be higher on the days before and after the Fourth — particularly closer to the weekend. In 2023, for example, more than 2 million people were screened on the Fourth, which landed on a Tuesday last year, down from 2.88 million the Friday before.

    Flights can be delayed or canceled for an array of reasons — from plane-specific mechanical problems to major storms impacting popular travel paths.

    If your flight is canceled, airlines are required to provide refunds for customers, even if the cancellation is due to weather. Delays are trickier, because they typically have to meet certain criteria for relief, such as refunds or compensation — but carriers will often give customers to chance to switch to alternative flights, if available, at no cost.

    In April, the Biden administration issued final rules that include requiring airlines to provide automatic cash refunds within a few days for canceled flights and “significant” delays. Those rules are set to take effect over the next two years, but the Department of Transportation has a site that lets consumers see the commitments each airline has made for refunds and covering other expenses when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.

    It’s better to be stuck at home than locked in hourslong traffic or stranded in an airport terminal. Before heading out the door this holiday week, do yourself a favor and check the status of your travel plans.

    Was your flight, train or bus ride delayed? Are there are traffic incidents set to disrupt your drive? And what about the weather? A quick look through your itinerary — such as trip updates on a carrier’s website — checking weather forecasts and monitoring traffic safety through services like the 511 hotline or your phone’s navigation apps can go a long way toward avoiding travel misery.


    SoCal fire departments preach firework safety ahead of the Fourth of July

    02:41

    More tips

    Here are a few more tips to keep in mind:

    — Leave early: There are more people everywhere during a holiday week, so lines will be longer and roads will be busier. Give yourself more time to get to your destination or to make your way through airport security.

    — Keep an eye on the weather — and not just for your destination: Look at the weather for your entire travel path. Even if it’s sunny skies both at home and the place you’re headed, it’s important to keep an eye out for any storms in between. You may need to do some rerouting.

    — Be kind: A trip delay or cancellation can be really frustrating — but if you’re running into disruptions, chances are others are too. Customer service agents have a lot on their plate at this time of year, and it’s important to be patient and respectful as they try to help you.

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  • How facial recognition technology is transforming travel efficiency and security

    How facial recognition technology is transforming travel efficiency and security

    Technology is transforming how travelers pass through airports as biometrics, including facial recognition, are becoming more common. Advocates say it will lead to improved security and faster processing times.

    “It’s the future because it’s so much more effective than a manual comparison. This is better for security,” TSA administrator David Pekoske told “CBS Mornings.” “It will be better for efficiency.”

    Delta and United Airlines are currently testing biometric bag check systems. At United, it checks a person’s face against their passport photo, which that passenger stored in the airline’s app. The airline says the images are not retained.

    “The future of travel is definitely biometrics. You know, it is a time saver,” said David Terry, who oversees Los Angeles International Airport for United Airlines. “We want to do everything we can to use technology, to get you from this ticket counter to the gate as quickly and as seamlessly as possible.”

    At LAX, flyers have already come face-to-face with the new tech.

    “I think it works pretty well,” said Maggie Burdge who used her face to check her bag.

    Grant Kretchik also tried out the system to check his bag before a recent flight to New York.

    “It’s seamless,” he said, adding that he isn’t worried about facial recognition. “It doesn’t bother me. I guess anything that sort of moves it along.”

    Terry explained the system is optional. 

    “It’s gonna use facial recognition, be printing your bag tags within 15 to 20 seconds and have you on your way,” he said.

    At the checkpoint, both TSA and Clear, an optional service travelers pay to join, offer a growing number of facial recognition lanes aimed at cutting down time spent in line.

    “It is becoming ubiquitous. It is additive to the efficiency of the entire checkpoint, and it is clear we’re on the side of the American traveler, and we believe that anything that enhances efficiency is good for everybody,” said Ken Cornic, the co-founder and president of Clear.

    International departures are increasingly using biometric technology and facial recognition for boarding and flyers using Global Entry experience facial recognition as part of the expedited customs process coming back to the U.S.

    According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, it has “processed more than 490 million travelers using biometric facial comparison technology and prevented more than 1,900 imposters from entry to the U.S.”

    But, not everyone is a fan of facial recognition. A push in Congress to restrict the TSA’s use of biometrics failed earlier this month. There remain questions about how well facial recognition works on people of color and privacy advocates remain concerned.

    “The use of that sort of information needs to come with really robust protections,” said Cody Venzke, senior policy counsel with the ACLU. “And that’s really crucial when you’re talking about your facial imprint because unlike a social security number or a telephone number, you can’t get a new face.”

    To those who are critical, Pekoske stressed privacy is at the forefront.

    “We don’t retain the data that you provide for more than a few seconds. We have no plans to surveil and the technology is not capable of surveillance. So our use case is to verify identity full stop, that’s it.”

    On the TSA website, passengers are reminded that while they can opt-in to these programs they do still currently need a physical ID on hand.

    Kris Van Cleave


    headshot-600-kris-van-cleave.jpg

    Emmy Award-winning journalist Kris Van Cleave is the senior transportation correspondent for CBS News based in Phoenix, Arizona, where he also serves as a national correspondent reporting for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms.

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  • Flying out of Denver for Memorial Day weekend? Expect to spend extra hours at the airport with record number of travelers

    Flying out of Denver for Memorial Day weekend? Expect to spend extra hours at the airport with record number of travelers

    Denver International Airport is gearing up for a record number of Memorial Day weekend passengers, meaning travelers can expect a busy trip and long waits, airport officials said Tuesday.

    Between Thursday and Tuesday, airport officials expect nearly 450,000 passengers to pass through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints, according to a news release from DIA. This is a 9% increase from the same holiday travel period last year.

    Thursday and Friday alone will each see more than 80,000 travelers moving through TSA screening areas, with additional foot traffic coming in from flight connections inside the airport, DIA officials said.

    Airport officials said holiday travelers should arrive inside the airport at least two hours before their scheduled boarding time and should have plans for parking and making it through security checkpoints.

    Parking

    Parking lots fill up quickly during the holidays and officials encourage flyers to take the Regional Transportation District’s A-Line to the airport.

    Those committed to parking on-site should avoid the Pike Peaks lot due to construction and park at the Landslide parking lot — 6975 Valley Head Street.

    The Pikes Peak and Longs Peak shuttle parking lots will close on Friday at 3 a.m. and re-open by 5 p.m., according to Tuesday’s release. The Landslide lot will be open for overflow parking at 3 a.m. Friday and will remain open until full.

    Regular shuttle service will be available from all parking lots to and from the airport terminal.

    Lauren Penington

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  • Texas man used photo of another passenger’s boarding pass to get on flight, officials say

    Texas man used photo of another passenger’s boarding pass to get on flight, officials say

    Texas man used photo of another passenger’s boarding pass to get on flight, officials say – CBS News


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    Newly obtained airport security video shows a suspected airplane stowaway taking a photo of another passenger’s boarding pass in Salt Lake City, which authorities say he used to board a Southwest flight last weekend. Kris Van Cleave has details.

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  • TSA unveils new self-screening program

    TSA unveils new self-screening program

    TSA unveils new self-screening program – CBS News


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    Imagine breezing through airport security as smoothly as a grocery store checkout. That’s the vision behind a new TSA pilot program launching Wednesday in Las Vegas. With cutting-edge technology under real-world testing, Carter Evans offers a sneak peek into how this could transform the safety and efficiency of airport screenings.

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  • TSA finds bullets

    TSA finds bullets

    Record number of guns seized by TSA in 2022


    Record number of guns seized by TSA in 2022

    01:53

    New York City TSA agents found 17 bullets “artfully concealed” in a clean, disposable diaper that a man was trying to bring on a plane at LaGuardia Airport, the agency announced Wednesday. 

    The officers found the surprising cargo on Wednesday morning, according to a TSA news release. The man’s bag triggered an alarm in an X-ray unit at a security checkpoint. When officers searched the man’s bag, they found the diaper, which had 17 9-millimeter bullets wrapped inside. 

    The man, a resident of Arkansas who has not been identified, first told TSA officials that he didn’t know how the diaper ended up in his bag. Later, he said his girlfriend must have placed it in the bag. 

    lga-diaper-and-bullets-12-20-23.jpg
    Bullets were wrapped in the diaper found by TSA officers.

    Transportation Security Administration


    The TSA did not state if the man had a weapon or if he was traveling with any other people. 

    The Port Authority Police cited the man with unlawful posession of the ammunition. 

    “Apparently this guy needs a bullet-proof plan for packing his carry-on bag before heading to the airport for his next flight,” the TSA said. 

    TSA agents routinely find unsual items at airport security checkpoints across the country. Earlier this year, a plastic skull being brought to a trade show halted operations at Salt Lake City International Airport. The item resembled an improvised explosive device, and it took two hours to confirm that there was no threat. 

    In January, the agency released a list of the strangest things they had confiscated from passengers in 2022. That included an inert grenade found at Milwaukee’s Mitchell International airport, cattle prods tucked inside a guitar case that was being carried on at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, and a hair scrunchie filled with drugs that a passenger tried to bring aboard a plane at Idaho’s Boise Airport. 

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