Ronnie Garrett, Author at Airport Improvement

O’Hare Int’l Completes Final Phase of Northeast Cargo Expansion

by Ronnie Garrett | Mar 21, 2025 | Cargo

Two things have been making headlines about Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) lately: cargo operations and sustainability efforts.

Los Angeles Int’l Adds Automated Screening Lanes at Tom Bradley International Terminal

by Ronnie Garrett | Jun 1, 2018 | Security

With a whopping 85.5 million annual passengers, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is considered the second-busiest airport in the United States. But at the end of March, the bustling facility ranked first in the nation for the number of automated screening lanes (ASLs) it has in place.

Fort Lauderdale Int’l Shares Lessons Learned From 2017 Active Shooter Tragedy

by Ronnie Garrett | Apr 1, 2018 | Emergency Operations

Early last year, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Broward County, FL, experienced the deadliest airport shooting in U.S. history when a passenger killed five people and sent six others to the hospital with injuries. More than 50 others were hospitalized for chest pains, low blood sugar, broken bones, etc. incurred while fleeing the scene and during a subsequent stampede triggered by false reports of another shooting.

Delta Opens New Cargo Control Center to Track Shipments

by Ronnie Garrett | Apr 1, 2018 | Cargo

When cargo flights are delayed or diverted, it not only affects customers expecting freight, it also impacts airports handling the traffic. Sometimes it takes a domino effect of gate shifts to accommodate off-schedule or unexpected cargo flights.

Houston Airport System Improves Incident Response With Mobile Command Center

by Ronnie Garrett | Jan 1, 2018 | Emergency Operations

“Be prepared’ isn’t only the motto for Boy Scouts. The Houston Airport System follows the same philosophy for providing emergency services at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Field (EFD). The timeless wisdom of its approach was demonstrated last June, when an F-16 crashed at EFD’ a three-runway airport that serves a variety of military, NASA and general aviation operations.

Bult Field Puts Drone Technology to the Test for Wildlife Management

by Ronnie Garrett | Oct 1, 2017 | Ground Support

“Why did the chicken cross the road'” is always good for some giggles on the schoolyard. But it’s no laughing matter when a deer, coyote or goose crosses a runway or flightpath to get to the other side. In the most serious cases, it can be a matter of life or death.

Charlotte Douglas Int’l Institutes Clear Bag Policy at Employee Checkpoints

by Ronnie Garrett | Sep 1, 2017 | Security

In February, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) began requiring workers to carry their personal items in clear bags when passing through security checkpoints on their way to work. The new policy began just as the House Homeland Security Committee released a report titled America’s Airports: The Threat from Within, which highlighted a lack of employee screening and vetting at U.S. airports.

Miami Int’l Adds New Layers to Employee Screening Checkpoint

by Ronnie Garrett | Jul 1, 2017 | Security

As the federal government considers getting tougher on employee screening at U.S. airports, Miami International (MIA) is already exploring ways to make that happen. Its strategy’ Deploying familiar technologies traditionally used to screen passengers and checked baggage.

Portland Int’l Installs Automated Exit Lane Breach Control System

by Ronnie Garrett | May 1, 2017 | Security

Creating a security system is a lot like constructing a new building-it needs to be built properly to be strong, stable and function as intended.

In the last issue of Airport Improvement, we covered various foundational elements of the recent $53 million security system upgrade at Portland International Airport (PDX): a new identity management system and card readers, perimeter security upgrades, additional cameras, etc. This issue, we examine the relocation and automation of PDX’s exit lanes-the roof that tops off the security system construction to protect the airport’s workers and 20 million annual passengers.

Portland Int’l Assembles Pieces of $53 Million Security System Upgrade

by Ronnie Garrett | Mar 1, 2017 | Security

Airport security is like a vexing jigsaw puzzle: There are many unique pieces, and all must fit together seamlessly to achieve a cohesive overall design.

New Software Helps Los Angeles Int’l Prepare for Future Interline Baggage Handling Requirements

by Ronnie Garrett | Nov 1, 2016 | Baggage

Mishandled bags cost the airlines money-lots of it. According to SITA’s most recent annual Baggage Report, there are approximately 6.5 mishandled bags per every 1,000 passengers, for a total of 23.1 million mishandled bags annually. Skift Magazine reports that baggage snafus cost the airlines an estimated $2.3 billion in 2015.

FedEx & Cryotech Partner to Develop Greener Deicing Fluid for Cargo Ops at Memphis Int’l

by Ronnie Garrett | Oct 1, 2016 | Environmental

Some say it takes a village to raise a child. Along the same lines, it took an airport, a product manufacturer and a delivery service giant to decrease the environmental impact of aircraft deicing operations at the busiest cargo airport in the United States.

Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport Updates 50+-year-old Hangar

by Ronnie Garrett | Sep 1, 2016 | Hangars

There comes a time in every airport’s life when the focus has to become “out with the old and in with the new.” Sometimes that means building entirely new facilities. More often, it involves breathing new life into existing facilities by adding modern updates and conveniences. Such was the case when Abraham Lincoln Capital (SPI), a commercial air service airport in Springfield, IL, recently updated its hangars.

New Software Adds Mobile Connection for Ops Personnel at Los Angeles Int’l

by Ronnie Garrett | Jul 1, 2016 | Emergency Operations

Although the 2013 shooting incident at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was resolved in just three minutes, six people were wounded and a TSA officer lost his life. The tragic event left permanent scars on the airport…and also prompted an extensive review of response operations at the facility that serves more than 70 million people annually.

Monterey Regional Adds Runway Safety Areas Amid Perfect Storm

by Ronnie Garrett | May 1, 2016 | Runway/Ramp

Sometimes, the phrase “perfect storm” refers to a rare combination of events that leads to disaster. Other times, it describes similarly unusual circumstances that create an amazing outcome. Surprisingly, a recent runway safety area project at Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) met both definitions at various points.

Restoration & Renovation Lambert Rebuilds After Suffering Direct Tornado Strike

by Ronnie Garrett | Jul 1, 2012 | Terminals

Last April, the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL) took a hard shot to the chin when an EF4 tornado ripped through its historic domed concrete terminal, leaving a mass of destruction in its wake. But what could have been a knockout punch instead inspired a...

Airports Use Carts & Kiosks to Boost Concession Revenues

by Ronnie Garrett | May 1, 2012 | Concessions / Retail

The movie Field of Dreams popularized the notion that "If you build it, they will come." But some airports are taking the corollary approach - not building additional concessions space - and customers and vendors still continue to come. How are they leveling...

TSA Pilot Programs Aim to Speed Screening Without Compromising Security

by Ronnie Garrett | Mar 1, 2012 | Security

A select group of travelers began whizzing through airport security checkpoints last fall at Miami International, Dallas/Fort Worth International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Detroit Metropolitan as TSA launched the TSA Prev(tm) pilot program. Some...

Business Booms When Landside Development is Done Right

by Ronnie Garrett | Jan 1, 2012 | Landside Development

Although they’re thousands of miles apart, the landside developments at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) have a lot in common.

McCarran Int’l Boosts Fuel Storage Capacity to Keep Pace With Traffic Growth

by Ronnie Garrett | Oct 1, 2011 | Fuel Operations

factsfigures Project: East Side Fuel Farm Complex Location: McCarran Int'l Airport (Las Vegas) Cost: $25 million Funding: Airline Consortium Loan Capacity: 65,000 barrels Completed: Oct. 31, 2011 Engineering & Design: Pond & Co. General & Mechanical...

Quad City Int’l Assumes Refueling Responsibility & Builds New Fuel Farm

by Ronnie Garrett | Sep 1, 2011 | Fuel Operations

When Quad City International Airport (MLI) in Moline, IL, lost one of its six air carriers in 2003, it gained a new profit center in the process. Trans States Airlines opened the door for the airport to assume its refueling operations when the airline decided to...

Austin-Bergstrom Int’l Teams with American Airlines & TSA in Self-Tag Pilot

by Ronnie Garrett | Jul 1, 2011 | Baggage

factsfigures Project: Baggage Self-Tagging Pilot Location: Austin-Bergstrom Int'l Airport Project Partners: American Airlines; TSA Kiosk Manufacturer: NCR Kinetics Number of Kiosks: 9 Future Expansion: Additional airlines and airports are expected to join the pilot...

Explosives Detection Goes to the Dogs

by Ronnie Garrett | May 1, 2011 | Security

A dog's sense of smell is said to be 1,000 times more sensitive than that of humans. And Chief Steve Heim of the Nashville International Airport (BNA) Department of Public Safety has witnessed it in action. Not only do BNA's dogs detect explosives to keep the airports...

Airport Movies Take Flight

by Ronnie Garrett | Mar 1, 2011 | Operations

The movie begins with inspirational music and a single bubble. Soon, the bubble gives way to a bird taking flight, a hot air balloon rising and eventually an aircraft soaring through the air. The footage could be the opening for a feature film, but it actually heralds...

“Train-to-Plane” Rail Connection Expected to Reclaim Marketshare for Oakland Int’l

by Ronnie Garrett | Jan 1, 2011 | Passenger Transport

Reliability has long been a shining star for Oakland International Airport (OAK) in Northern California. Among the 40 largest airports in the nation, nearly 5 million passengers depart OAK each year to destinations worldwide, and they consistently give it top marks...

Author

O’Hare Int’l Completes Final Phase of Northeast Cargo Expansion

Los Angeles Int’l Adds Automated Screening Lanes at Tom Bradley International Terminal

Fort Lauderdale Int’l Shares Lessons Learned From 2017 Active Shooter Tragedy

Delta Opens New Cargo Control Center to Track Shipments

Houston Airport System Improves Incident Response With Mobile Command Center

Bult Field Puts Drone Technology to the Test for Wildlife Management

Charlotte Douglas Int’l Institutes Clear Bag Policy at Employee Checkpoints

Miami Int’l Adds New Layers to Employee Screening Checkpoint

Portland Int’l Installs Automated Exit Lane Breach Control System

Portland Int’l Assembles Pieces of $53 Million Security System Upgrade

New Software Helps Los Angeles Int’l Prepare for Future Interline Baggage Handling Requirements

FedEx & Cryotech Partner to Develop Greener Deicing Fluid for Cargo Ops at Memphis Int’l

Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport Updates 50+-year-old Hangar

New Software Adds Mobile Connection for Ops Personnel at Los Angeles Int’l

Monterey Regional Adds Runway Safety Areas Amid Perfect Storm

Restoration & Renovation Lambert Rebuilds After Suffering Direct Tornado Strike

Airports Use Carts & Kiosks to Boost Concession Revenues

TSA Pilot Programs Aim to Speed Screening Without Compromising Security

Business Booms When Landside Development is Done Right

McCarran Int’l Boosts Fuel Storage Capacity to Keep Pace With Traffic Growth

Quad City Int’l Assumes Refueling Responsibility & Builds New Fuel Farm

Austin-Bergstrom Int’l Teams with American Airlines & TSA in Self-Tag Pilot

Explosives Detection Goes to the Dogs

Airport Movies Take Flight

“Train-to-Plane” Rail Connection Expected to Reclaim Marketshare for Oakland Int’l

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