eXpect delaYs Travel Delay Blog

The Secure Flight Program requires travelers to provide personal information when purchasing airline tickets on domestic and international flights

The Secure Flight Program is a program designed to provide more efficient "Watch List" matching of passengers. These lists are the No-Fly List and the Selectee List. Initially domestic flight watch list matching was performed by the airlines, and international watch list matching was performed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection utilizing the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) or by the airlines. Under the  Secure Flight program, all watch list matching will eventually be performed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This will provide a more uniform and efficient system. To aid in accurate matching, some airlines have been asking for, and eventually all will be asking for, additional personal information. This will include birthdate and gender. Travelers will also have to provide their name exactly as it appears on the ID that they will be presenting when checking in at the airport and when passing through airport security. If travelers have been issued a redress number, this must also be provided. This system should allow more accurate matching, and ultimately should help prevent anyone with a name similar to someone on a list to avoid complications at the airport.

 For additional information, the TSA has provided extensive information about the program on their website. A good place to start is the "Secure Flight Program - Layers of Security" page.

US Airways began requesting the additional personal information on October 30, 2009.

Three new airport restaurants open at El Paso International Airport (ELP)

El Paso International Airport (ELP) - October 31, 2009 -- three new El Paso Airport restaurants have opened recently. They are located in the Concourse B food court (post-security) and are Carlos & Mickey's Express, Starbucks Coffee and Pizza Hut. The 12th Fairway Bar & Grill is scheduled to open in mid-2010, also on Concourse B. These new El Paso International Airport restaurants join Burger King, Tortilla Flats Bar and Grill, Franklin Express Snackbar and Lounge and El Paso Vinyards.

Additional information about El Paso International Airport restaurants can be found on the airport website: http://www.elpasointernationalairport.com/2009/t_food.html

Descriptions of the new restaurants from @The Moody Report*

• Carlos & Mickey’s Express – Authentic Mexican cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner is served at Carlos & Mickey’s Express, from traditional menu items such as Burrito a la Mexicana, Chimichangas and Enchilada platters, quesadillas and tacos. Soups, salads, sides and desserts round out the offerings.
• Starbucks Coffee – Coffee accompanied by pastries, sandwiches, salads and snacks that are conveniently packaged for on-the-go consumption.
• Pizza Hut Express – One of the most familiar brands to millions of travelers worldwide. Its fast service concept offers quick and affordable meals.
• The 12th Fairway Bar & Grill is scheduled to open in mid-2010 and will cater to golf aficionados worldwide. The full-service restaurant will offer a selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner items including traditional sandwiches, entrées and salads, plus a full bar specializing in unique Scotch whiskey selections. 

Southwest Airlines begins service from Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) on November 1st 

Events are scheduled to celebrate the new service

Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) - October 31, 2009 - According to a Southwest Airlines press release from June, the airline will begin service at Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) on November 1st with a dozen daily nonstop flights to six destinations: 3 to Baltimore/Washington, 3 to Kansas City, 2 to Las Vegas, 2 to Orlando, 1 to Phoenix, and 1 to Tampa Bay. The fares and schedule are available on www.southwest.com. In addition to the 12 daily nonstop flights, Southwest Airlines' new service out of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport will offer direct (same plane) or connecting service to 49 other destinations throughout the Southwest Network. Southwest Airlines will operate from two gates in Terminal D at Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport.

The following events, from a recent press release, may be of interest to travelers*:

Sunday, November 1, 2009
Southwest's First Customer Flights

    WHO:    Southwest Airlines Customers and Employees

    WHAT:   Southwest Airlines will be celebrating the carrier's very first
            Customer flights from Mitchell Airport.  Southwest will be
            giving away free coffee, pastries, and special surprises for
            the first Customers departing on nonstop flights to its six
            destinations.

            Media Interview Opportunities with Customers, Crew, and
            Employees.  Photo Op to capture the first flight board and
            depart.

    WHEN:   6:45am - Festivities Begin
            7:20am - First Flight Departs

            ***Media arrives in Concession Mall just outside Concourse D
            security checkpoint by 6:30am.  Contact on-site SWA
            Spokesperson Brad Hawkins at 214-792-4413 upon arrival for
            escort to the gate.

    WHERE:  Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
            Concourse D - Concession Mall security checkpoint



Sunday, November 1, 2009
Southwest Tailgate Party

    WHO:    Southwest Airlines Employees, Officers and Customers
            Green Bay Packers fans

    WHAT:   TOUCHDOWN IN MILWAUKEE!

            Southwest Airlines and 1,000 of its newest friends will be
            celebrating the airline's first day of Milwaukee service with a
            free tailgate party at McKinley Park!  Milwaukeeans have the
            opportunity to join in the fun as the carrier broadcasts the
            Packers game live!  Southwest's CEO Gary Kelly will be mixing
            and mingling with guests and the airline will be giving away
            airline tickets and prizes every time the Packers score.  Come
            check out the food, revelry, and the Southwest Spirit as the
            crowd cheers on their hometown team!

    WHEN:   3pm - 7pm
            ***Media should contact on-site Southwest Spokesperson Whitney
            Eichinger at 214-914-0982

    WHERE:  McKinley Park Marina
            1750 N Lincoln Memorial Drive

*Source: Reuters - http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS213253+30-Oct-2009+PRN20091030

 Panini's Bar and Grill is the latest airport restaurant to open at the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) -- October 2009 - Panini's Bar and Grill, which serves overstuffed sandwiches, appetizers, salads, wraps, pizzas, wings and burgers, as well as breakfast items, opened on October 2nd at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. It is the newest addition to the new AIRMALL.  The new Cleveland airport restaurant has opened on Concourse C. Panini's Bar and Grill, which originated in Cleveland, has restaurants throughout Ohio and specializes in overstuffed sandwiches. Learn more about Panini's Bar and Grill from their website at http://www.paninisgrill.com/. You can even check out the menu and other information at this page specifically for the Cleveland airport Panini's Bar and Grill.

Panini's Bar and Grill joins these other Cleveland airport restaurants:

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Restaurant and Bar Descriptions (from the Cleveland Airport web site)
Prime-1 Slider Company - serving tasty baby burgers with their own special sauce.
Mia Nonna Pizzeria - which in English means “My Grandma’s Pizza.”  Expect superior-tasting pizza made with the freshest ingredients and served by the slice.
Caffè Siena - serving travelers Royal Cup Coffee, the brand featured by Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Intercontinental Hotel Group.  Choose from a distinctive blend of specially selected beans offered in gourmet espresso, Italian roast and decaffeinated.
5300 Boulevard - a contemporary metropolitan bar and grill with tasty American fare and top-shelf beverages.
Cantina El Agave - serving authentic Mexican and Southwestern food in a colorful and fun atmosphere.
Home Field - a classic sports bar with pub favorites that also pays homage to Cleveland’s sports heritage.
Brewer’s Alley - pouring a fine selection of local, national and imported beer on tap and in bottles.
West Side Provisions - offering grab-and-go food and a wide array of baked goods.

Cleveland Airport Restaurant and Bar Locations
5300 Boulevard  --------  Main Concourse
Cantina El Agave -------- Concourse C
Altitude Lounge  -------  Concourse A
Banjoe’s Café  ---------- Concourse C
Ben & Jerry’s  ---------- Concourses B & Main
Brewer’s Alley  --------- Concourse C
Caffe Siena ------------  Concourse D, Ticketing & Main
Cinnabon Café  ---------- Concourses A, B & Main
Cleveland Gourmet ------- Concourse A
Cleveland Fruit & Nut  -- Main Concourse
Freshens ---------------- Concourses D & Main
Great American Bagel ---- Concourses C, D & Main
Great Lakes Brewing Co.-- Concourse A
Home Field  ------------  Concourse D
Manchu Wok  ------------  Main Concourse
Max & Erma’s  ----------  Concourses B & C
Mia Nonna Pizzeria ------ Concourse C
Panini's Bar and Grill ----- Concourse C
Pizza Hut  -------------  Concourses A & D
Prime-1 Slider Company -- Main Concourse
West Side Provisions ---- Concourse B

Sources:
PRNewswire: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sandwiches-piled-high-from-local-favorite-paninis-bar-and-grill-arrive-at-the-airmallr-at-cleveland-hopkins-international-airport-63530062.html
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Web Site: http://www.clevelandairport.com