Fake bomb threat leads to probation

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Mark Randall Rayborn will be on probation for the next four years. He was accused of telling an off-duty Northwest Airlines pilot that he had five pounds of explosives in his carry-on.

The plane was pulling back from the gate at Denver International Airport last year when Rayborn broke the news to the man sitting next to him while grabbing his bag. As a result of this episode, the flight was delayed for four hours while bomb-sniffing dogs searched the plane. All 140 passengers were screened again.

The 56-year-old gump responsible for making air travel even more difficult will celebrate his 60th birthday with the thought that he’s repaid his debt to society. Somehow, it doesn’t seem like enough.

Denver International Airport wants to offer carbon offsets to passengers

by Anna Brones on

Carbon offsets are a hot item these days, especially for travelers. In terms of travel methods, flying is one of the biggest producers of CO2. But sometimes opting for a long train ride is out of the question and we are forced to hop on an airplane. This is when the eco-conscious traveler finds a good carbon offsets program and pays to have a carbon neutral footprint.

The Denver International Airport is currently trying to facilitate that process and institute a program which would allow passengers to buy carbon offsets in its concourses. The offsets would pay for renewable energy and power-saving projects that help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Currently the airport is looking for a carbon offset provider by soliciting proposals for a 3 year non-exclusive contract to offer the carbon offsets to passengers. Initiating a program such as this one would make it one of the first airports in the country to do so.

“Airports and airlines are under more and more scrutiny regarding greenhouse gas emissions and how they can offset climate change. . . This offers a small step in the right direction to raise awareness and let people know that airports want to do the right thing,” stated Janelle Barrilleaux, the airport’s director of environmental programs.

Denver hopes the program will be running by August, but not only out of goodwill; the airport expects to reap a percentage of the profits, according to the Rocky Mountain News. You can read more about it here.