New Terminal, More Screeners, and ShoeBomber II

The Back Bay MBTA stop was taken over by Jet Blue ads last week. They’re expanding their routes from the MassPort operated Logan International Airport, and taking the lease on Delta’s spot for Terminal C. Delta will move their service into the $475 Million renovation of Terminal A. With more gates and a brand new terminal Bostonist hopes two things happen: fewer delays and cheaper flights. The new terminal at Logan was designed and built with the new security regulations, stemming from the 9-11 attacks, in place.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been approved to hire 125 more screeners to meet the demands of the new terminal and increased gates at Logan. Screeners are leaving the Logan TSA assignments with great rapidity, greater than 25% leave annually. With flights hijacked originating from Logan our airport receives a lot more attention than other terminals around the country. Remember Richard Reid? The "Shoe Bomber" who couldn’t get his matches lit to set off a plastic bomb embedded in his shoe in 2001. A collaborator and near copycat, Saajid Badat, pled guilty to terrorism charges in the UK yesterday. Bostonist is glad we’re getting another 125 screeners and we don’t really mind taking our shoes off to travel, it’s the guy with stinky feet in front of us that makes that a hassle.