Paul Saffo forwards comments from a senior carrier pilot on the airport security morass:

In consideration of the change in flight crew procedural response, armed pilots, air marshalls, and especially the reinforced flight deck door, there is no reason to screen passengers for anything other than explosives, and we do not have the effective means to do that. Screening for nail clippers, scissors, and any other portable implements including guns is meaningless

We in Madison are generally fortunate that the security lines at MSN are nothing like those at SFO, LAX, CVG, LGA (Friday night!) or other major airports.

Mike Ivey nicely summarizes the current state of Madison Air Service. The Northwest Airlines request for Wisconsin subsidies is humorous – They’ve received extensive subsidies in Minnesota. Perhaps the Gopher state will subsidize Air Wisconsin and Midwest Air…

My father and I drove, rather started and stopped numerous times last week, as we attempted to navigate our way around Chicago. We slowed to a stop about 20 miles east of Illinois on I-90, routed around the stalled traffic on a combination of Indiania 912, US 41/12, the Chicago Skyway (also under construction), State Street, Lake Shore Drive, then finally back to 90…. I’ve never seen it worse than last Thursday. Larry Sandler discusses the gory details of driving around Chicago. Lake Express is an option….

A smart idea:

To encourage drivers to take more frequent breaks, the Texas Department of Transportation wants to set up free wireless Internet access at rest stops and travel information centers.

Mike Ivey updates us on Madison’s Air Service (and the possible entry of Southwest):

Livingston said Southwest Airlines has expressed some interest in coming into this market but said the low-cost carrier hasn’t committed to anything. Southwest is one of the few airlines that has remained profitable despite the fallout from the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the slow economy and soaring jet fuel prices.
“They aren’t telling us much, only that Madison is one of 350 cities they are looking at,” he said.

Southwest makes a great deal of sense for Madison, both from a cultural and service perspective.

Marv Balousek writes that Northwest may add some non stop flights from Madison (to destinations other than their fortress hubs in Detroit, Minneapolis and Memphis):

Northwest’s Jim Cron said the growing popularity of regional jets also could inspire a competitor to begin offering more nonstop flights from Madison. He said leisure destinations like Florida and Las Vegas might be the most successful.
Brad Livingston, Dane County Regional Airport director, said he plans to meet next month with airline scheduling officials, including Northwest, to talk about improving service to Madison. He said the number of Dane County Airport passengers rose 13.6 percent in April over March and is 6 percent higher this year than in 2003.

I would be very surprised if they did this. The only reason they’ve added non stop flights in Milwaukee is to kill off Midwest airlines. Like other major airlines, once the competition is gone, we’re back to connecting via the fortress hubs.
On the other hand, this is possibly good news. However, the announcement smells like a request for local airline subsidies. I still think the best approach for MSN is to do everything possible to bring Southwest to town.
UPDATE: Northwest doesn’t like Wisconsin’s tax subsidies for Midwest Airlines and Air Wisconsin (I don’t either). Keep in mind that NWA has benefited greatly from Minnesota subsidies.