Aiports landscape with artificial turf

by Anna Brones on

No, it’s not an attempt to make airports seem more like sport stadiums; artificial turf is being used on tarmacs at airports around the country because it is easier and less expensive to maintain that the real green stuff. Baltimore/Washington is the latest airport to green its tarmac, joining other major hubs like New York’s John F. Kennedy, Atlanta, Detroit, Boston, Toronto, Chicago Midway and Chicago O’Hare.

Artificial turf is ideal for unpaved areas near the tarmac as regular grass and soil often hide foreign debris that can cause safety hazards if it makes its way onto the runway. The two types approved by the FAA are AvTurf and Airfieldturf, and they aren’t just being used for the runway; it’s also replacing the painted green and yellow X signs used to help pilots figure out which taxiways are open. At night, painted asphalt can be difficult to see and the paint wears away more easily than the durable artificial turf. What’s next? Artificial green stuff in the security line?

Missing a laptop? Baggage handlers arrested with stolen goods

by Jamie Rhein on

As far as I can tell, I haven’t had anything stolen from baggage in my travels. I’ve had it opened with an official notice left inside that it’s been searched. As we’ve found out by messages about baggage handlers posted on Gadling–this post has 276 comments–others have not been so fortunate. Some people, though, may get their stolen goods back–not necessarily those who have told us of their woes, but other people.

According to this article at abcActionNews.com, three baggage handlers, employees of Delta Global Services that were contracted by Continental Airlines, were arrested at the Tampa International Airport for stealing goods. From my understanding, it sounds like the police suspected baggage handling funny business because a laptop in bag that was to go to Houston was rigged. The computer didn’t make it to Houston. Instead it was sold. When the new owner turned the computer on, it transmitted a signal so it could be traced. By back-tracking from the woman who bought the computer, the police were able to find out who stole it. Good deal!

Now comes the business of finding the people so they can be reunited with their belongings. Some belongings were still in the thieves’ possession. In case you’re wonder what your electronics are worth to the person who steals them:

  • laptops: $60
  • digital cameras: $50
  • iPods: $10

Heathrow Terminal 5 mess: Delayed? Know what compensation could come your way

by Jeffrey White on

While the United States still struggles to pass a Passenger Bill of Rights, it’s nice to know that American travelers are covered under the European Union’s Air Passenger Compensation Requirements, which went into affect three years ago.

With thousands of passengers delayed or waylaid over at Heathrow’s new Terminal 5, now seems to be the perfect time to review just what kind of compensation you’re entitled to when flying within the EU.

The Guardian newspaper has this handy guide to the EU’s APCR. In many respects, the regs are not that different than the ones U.S. airplanes are ostensibly held to. Yet the EU’s somehow seem a little more straight forward.

If you are flying a European carrier within the EU, and your flight is delayed, here is the approximate financial compensation you’re entitled to, according to the Guardian:

  • $200 for a journey up to 1,500km that’s delayed up to two hours
  • $375 on a journey up to 1,500km delayed more than two hours
  • $300 on a journey of 1,500km-3,500km delayed up to three hours
  • $600 on a journey of 1,500km-3,500km delayed more than three hours
  • $450 on a journey of more than 3,500km delayed up to four hours
  • $900 on a journey of more than 3,500km delayed more than four hours

The Guardian points out that airlines have big incentives to pay up if you process a claim that falls under the regulations; they face fines of nearly $10,000 from the EU if they don’t.

So, just because you’re flying out of the U.S. doesn’t mean you forfeit your rights as a passenger. If any of you have been caught up in the Heathrow mess this week, maybe you should get something for your troubles.

A third day of Heathrow misery. Terminal case continues

by Iva Skoch on

Things are not working out so well at London Heathrow’s new Terminal 5. Since the terminal opened three days ago, it has been nothing but baggage problems, cancellations and misery, BBC reports. One fifth of flights from the new terminal were scrapped today: 67 out of the 330 scheduled. 37 flights have been canceled for Sunday.

A total of 208 flights in and out of the terminal were canceled during the first three days so far. Some elevators are not working. People cannot locate their bags. Sounds like a nightmare.

The cancellations also created an unexpected heavy demand for hotel rooms. An average airport hotel room, normally around $150, went up to $500 for a double room on Thursday. After many complaints, the airlines have scrapped its $200 limit for delayed passengers’ hotels.

Plane strikes dog at Bangalore airport, skids off runway.

by Grant Martin on

Enough namby pambying about how Heathrow’s T5 has fallen short of all expectations and fostered disappointment worldwide. In the grand scheme of things, Britain, you’ve got things pretty nice. London Heathrow is one of the heaviest trafficked airports in the world — T5, the largest indoor structure, and once they get it working correctly the security and logistics should be among the most efficient in the world.

Still complaining? Try commuting out of India’s Bangalore airport instead. Their airport has become so overrun with stray dogs that a Kingfisher Airways flight nailed one during take-off this week, destroying the landing gear and sending it careening off the runway.

Four people were hurt and the airplane is a complete mess, while we can only assume that the dog is in worse condition.

So next time you’re fired up because the Airport Starbucks put 2% instead of skim in your extra-skinny-non-fat-mocha-latte with an extra shot of espresso, two shots of almond and extra foam, put yourself in perspective. Your aircraft and airline could be much, much worse.