"Information indicates that extremists abroad are anticipating near-term attacks that they believe will rival or exceed the scope and impact of those we experienced in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania more than two years ago." Those words came from Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge Sunday, as he raised the threat assessment level from yellow to orange. It was the first time since May 20th that the government's terror threat indicator has been so high.

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) announced it has heightened alertness and increased security at its airports in response to the US Homeland Security Department's raising the national treat level to high ("Orange"). Airport Police are working with the Transportation Security Administration, local law enforcement officials and air carriers to implement a range of security enhancements appropriate to the heightened security alert.

Veteran Virgin Atlantic pilot Richard George Harwell is scheduled to be arraigned Monday on charges he tried to fly 383 passengerse from Dulles International Airport (VA) to London while drunk. Harwell, an American who's 14-year record with Virgin is described by the company as "spotless," is accused of being the first-ever Virgin pilot accused of trying to fly while intoxictated. "He was suspended with immediate effect pending an internal investigation," said John Riordan, a Virgin Atlantic spokesman.

On the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 9, Mexicana Airlines flight MX819 bound for Chicago O'Hare (ORD) airport from Guadalajara/Morelia was in violation of safety standards established by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) by flying too closely to another aircraft upon its final approach to the airport. The airline says, contrary to published reports, the aircraft's pilot, Capt. Enrique Guadarrama, was immediately alerted to the issue by the anti-collision system of the A319 aircraft and subsequently implemented the proper evasion maneuvers specifically designed for such cases. The pilot landed the plane safely at 6:45 p.m. CST, and neither the passengers nor the crew were injured.

The head of the Air Line Pilots Association Friday blasted what it called "an administration attempt to gut the pension bill" now in the Senate. "They are making a last-ditch, desperate push to torpedo the short-term relief provisions in the Senate bill for pension reform. They've sent a letter to the Senate leadership, packed with mischaracterization and outright falsehoods," said Capt. Duane E. Woerth, ALPA president.

Remember the old aviation saw, "We're the FAA. We're not happy until you're not happy"? We can joke about it, but the truth is, the FAA is here to help. The National Air Transport Association (NATA) is now accepting applications for the 2004 FAA Customer Service Excellence Award.  This award recognizes the FAA office that demonstrates the highest degree of customer service.  The Association wants to encourage the FAA’s efforts to foster industry-government relations and, through this recognition, NATA hopes to assist the FAA in advancing the its customer service goals.