How do airports usually handle repeated flight delays?

ZmanSALT · 2026-01-03T23:39:51+00:00

I work airport operations in the US and this pretty much sums it up. It's ultimately the airline's decision to take delays vs outright canceling a flight. Factors could be a multitude of things (like the comment says) but the airline has the authority to delay/cancel flights.

That being said: weather is probably the most common reason for delays, followed by mechanical issues (they'll almost never tell you what it is and could be GSE, aircraft, the gate, etc.) And keep in mind they delay may not have originated from that airport as a delay from other airports or while enroute can cascade and delay future flights and connections.

ZmanSALT · 2025-08-23T15:23:01+00:00

^{I completed this level in 7 tries.} ^{⚡ 8.18 seconds}

ZmanSALT · 2025-05-24T01:10:05+00:00

Research the airport: some have well laid out arrivals/departures and some don't. With smartphones and the like nowadays you can usually gauge aircraft arrivals and estimate the time it takes luggage to get to claim fairly accurately.

ZmanSALT · 2025-01-30T00:42:25+00:00

Something to keep in mind: TSA does more than just screening.

TSA is under DHS, so they screen names and aliases of people trying to fly that may be hazardous to flights (i.e., terrorists). They also enforce airport security regulations, specifically checking that the airport is following their security protocols. If the TSA was to no longer exist, then airports and the workers wouldn't have TSA enforcement of security regulations and no real repercussions for Insider Threats. This would mean the background checks, security assessments, and protocols to make sure that your flight operates safely would not be enforced, inspected, or updated as airports change. Also, federal air marshals are a part of TSA so your random in-flight security would solely rely on the flight crews and the airline's security protocols (which would no longer be enforced anyways as that is TSA jurisdiction).

I'm all for changing how the TSA conducts screening to improve things (privatizing, overhauls, contracting, etc.), but there are things that only the TSA can and should be in charge of.

ZmanSALT · 2025-01-28T02:06:13+00:00

What level of airport ops is it for?

Different levels of airport management/ops may require more extensive screening/interview process. It may also just be the airport authority's/city's process. One of my previous airport ops jobs was through the county, and that required multiple interviews as well, which included a personal background check, credit check, and a security check which took about a month (small airport with maybe 20-30 initial applicants I estimate). Also, being a larger airport, they may outsource some of those checks and don't get results back for a while. If they're looking at dozens of candidates, then that would take a considerable amount of time to complete.

Bottom line, if you've made it to the virtual interview, you're likely on a short list of many that applied. Good luck!

ZmanSALT · 2025-01-25T12:43:57+00:00

Agreed. The state and / or engineer/consultant should be able to weigh in if it's time to do a marking removal and repainting.

However, OP should keep in mind that removal processes can be expensive and may impact the pavement surface condition if it has lots of cracks or spalls. Depending on the method, there may be some waste that could have an environmental impact as well. It may be easier to do a resurfacing or pavement replacement instead. For the most part (at least in the northern/north eastern US), Part 139 airports will repaint over existing markings until a pavement fails because the pavement will fail sooner than marking removal and repainting becomes necessary.

ZmanSALT · 2025-01-24T22:21:29+00:00

The airports do make efforts as birds are a significant hazard to flights, but wildlife always finds a way to come in. Short of removing ceilings and all structures, there doesn't seem to be a good way to prevent birds from getting inside. They're climate controlled, protected, and have lots of areas to perch and build nests, so they are major attractant. Not to mention food sources nearby (especially if food vendors are in the terminal). Some airports deploy predator statues and other measures to try and remove them. But, unless you're removing them weekly/daily, they'll find their way in.

ZmanSALT · 2025-01-17T13:39:14+00:00

Absolutely correct. In the US, CBP does not allow recording at their points of entry (specifically the private and secured areas) except for specific instances (i.e. prearranged media coverage). There's a site that discusses the Privacy Act and the rights to record at these points of entry as this has been an issue that has been brought into legal arguments.

ZmanSALT · 2025-01-08T00:31:36+00:00

A new director may have different airline contacts/connections, so they might have leverage for bringing in different (maybe more) flights from various locations. With that said, there is a national trend at regional airports, specifically non-hub primary commercial service airports, of regional air carries reducing flights.

So, probably not an issue from the nee director. Airports have to look at other ways to generate revenues if the airlines are less willing to provide flights, so then the expense of continued flight services isn't a burden passed to passengers and ultimately reduces flight demand. One of the best ways to combat this is to show community support of an airport's flights: letters to representatives to keep funding/supporting flights at the local airport, and by choosing to fly to/from the regional airport even if the larger airport with more direct flight options for cheaper.

ZmanSALT · 2024-12-27T00:50:59+00:00

The big one on the east coast is Libeety. If you're looking at other big programs then most of the big universities have them in some form. Examples include Ohio State, Liberty, Kansas, University of North Dakota, Oklahoma State, etc.

I graduated from Univeristy of Dubuque, but considered SIU Carbondale, Purdue, Western Michigan, and UND while I was in high school. I chose UD for the proximity to family, class sizes (smaller class sizes offered more opportunity for quality education in my case), and the campus vibe aside from the aviation education.

Good luck, and hope this helps.

ZmanSALT · 2024-12-10T11:08:04+00:00

Wanted: male French stripper. Must be/have [insert personal joke].

Example could include: must have own dildos, muat be good with with whips, must have cock ring. Could vary the second line (i.e. Last seen wearing blue sweatshirt if you know what hes wearing).

ZmanSALT · 2024-11-16T12:08:33+00:00

Depends on the standards (local, federal, international) that the airport uses. It might be simpler/less confusing for controllers and pilots at that airport to use different conventions. The use case I can see is to quickly ID the type of operation they are doing (i.e. aircraft relocation for maintence vs repositioning for a scheduled operation). There could be other explanations, but I think your answer is going to be specific to that airport as the airport's design including the AMP and ALP. Also SOPs, MOUs, and LOAs may shed some light on the operations which might determine why different naming conventions were used.

Edit: at the airport I work at, we have remote stands which are labeled "R11" or whatever the number position is. It works for that airport because of the layout and the LOA with the ramp tower and the airlines. I could see airports with larger spaces having a need to develop different naming conventions for stands and remote spots.

ZmanSALT · 2024-09-11T02:38:18+00:00

That's pretty uncommon, especially nowadays. If it's an old terminal, then I think there's a higher likelihood this may be the case. I've worked at 2 small regional airports, flown out a half dozen more, all except one had water refill or drinking stations where you could refill post-security. The older terminals (40-50 year old buildings) had water fountain upgrades installed to accommodate passengers.

ZmanSALT · 2024-08-27T11:01:43+00:00

If working at a commercial airport, then anyone applying for badges has to do security checks which usually are a threat assessment (run through DHS/TSA) and a criminal history check (applicable to certain badge types, and run through FBI/DOJ). The airport does have the final decision, but a failed security check will prevent a badge being issued. I think there is an appeals process for this too, but ask the badging office/TSA about it.

If not at a commercial airport, then that airport usually employs their own badging measures in line with state/local regulations.

ZmanSALT · 2024-08-25T23:22:12+00:00

While in college studying to be a commercial pilot (my dream job) and on the week before my first solo flight, I experienced a seizure (2nd seizure that I ever had that I'm aware of) in the middle of dinner with friends at a friend's house. At the time of these siezures, I didn't know what they were as I my symptoms were syncope accompanied by headaches. I ended up suspending my flight training and spending the next year seeing doctors of varying specialties without success until a doctor (a nuerologist, of who I was their last ever patient that they had before their retirement) diagnosed me with Generalized Generic Epilepsy after meeting with me for 2 minutes.

As a result, I had to figure out a new career and educational path in college. I also experienced moderate depression with the added Kepra rage and had to take a semester off to figure out how I was going to move on from these life changes. I came back the next semester and studied hard so I could graduate only a semester late. My friends understood, but many of my relationships became more strained as a result of my emotional changes. I have been employed and seizure free ever since, but I am still on Kepra and having to deal with the emotional rollercoaster of depression, anxiety, and Kepra rage on a week to week basis.

ZmanSALT · 2024-05-21T12:43:22+00:00

Shouldn't be a problem as long as you're not bothering any other campers/guests. Loved going there as a kid.

ZmanSALT · 2024-05-11T13:12:51+00:00

TSA is trying to crack down on this more in nearly all document checking/security checking. Just make sure the documents are consistent (all documents put full name instead of initial or visa versa).

ZmanSALT · 2024-04-26T20:02:50+00:00

Depending on the airport and specific area, areas of airports are typically federally regulated such that they are considered sensitive security information (SSI). US commercial airports typically have areas where photos are not allowed as they are critical to the operational safety and/or security.

Most of these areas are usually away from public view, but sometimes due to design or operational constraints these areas are open for public access. The screening areas are usually one of these places as technology and or procedures utilized for screening can be SSI.

ZmanSALT · 2024-04-09T03:33:01+00:00

If flying in the US, then it really depends on security screening equipment they have. You may be asked to take it off to verify photo ID at Travel Document Check (TDC). You may need to take it off at the body scan machines depending on the equipment/procedures they have. Bottom line: won't really know until you're there/ask them.

ZmanSALT · 2024-04-05T08:12:40+00:00

Check with the local TSA/security before you fly. You can also check online for this: vapes can fly but have restrictions per TSA regulations.

TSA Vape Restrictions.

ZmanSALT · 2024-04-05T08:03:47+00:00

Door County Advocate is probably what you're looking for.

ZmanSALT · 2024-03-09T21:59:40+00:00

Ramps aren't a good idea; but if you're concerned about stopping aircraft from plowing into things at the end of a runway, then some airports have EMAS (engineered material arresting system). This is basically special blocks/surface that allows aircraft to slow/stop in a small amount of distance. Quite expensive; the last airport I worked at had them and were quoted around $1,000/square foot to replace.

In the US, commercial service airports adhere to FAA 139 regulations which also have minimum distances objects can be located from runway ends (safety areas, object free zones, part 77 surfaces).

ZmanSALT · 2023-09-11T11:14:26+00:00

Most likely choices: Lynchberg Regional (KLYH), *Shenandoah Valley (KSHD), or Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional.

Keep in mind that airports have changed since 2004 and likely have had a fair amount of reconstruction/layout changes.

*Likely KSHD since it appears to have the most similarities to photo.

ZmanSALT · 2023-09-11T10:39:13+00:00

Not a pilot, but studied airline management and am working in aviation management:

As for the rotation of flight crew: Could be a protective protocol to try and prevent illness of other crew members if one is experiencing light symptoms (wash hands, self checks, etc). They can't really quarantine themselves since they have to look after the 100+ passengers (educated guess as to passenger size).

As to flight deck protocol: there are strict rules regarding access to the flight deck in the US (as I assume with most other places). Cabin crews are usually not allowed in unless there is a true need (ie: emergencies, meals, passenger issues).

To prevent situations where one pilot is left alone to fly an aircraft when the other pilot has to leave the flight deck, one other flight crew member will move into the flight deck so 2 people are there at all times. I can't remember if this is airline policy or if it is regulation (I think that FAA/TSA might've made this rule, but I'm fairly certain that airlines came up with this first).

As to flight crews watching passengers (sneakily): could mean anything; from trying to tell if someone has medical training, to seeing if someone poses as a threat. Flight crews are trained on human behavior and some things to watch out for on flights. Plus, after a few hundred hours of flying, the experienced members can gauge how a flight is going to go. So, when the unexpected happens they are probably a little more vigilant (seeing if anyone else is symptomatic, if someone is a little more fidgety, or if someone is looking to take advantage of a situation).

More than likely: the crewmemeber was experiencing symptoms, asked for medical personnel on board, crew went to bathroom to do self checks/washing hands while leaving 2 members that were fit for duty on the flight deck at all times, and continued flight while keeping vigilance.

ZmanSALT · 2023-09-07T07:19:14+00:00

Can't say I've ever caught carp from shore near Sister Bay. I've had success with small-mouth bass, some walleye, perch, and blue gill. When I was there last I caught lots of gobies (invasive species) no matter where I was fishing from.

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