American Airlines has revealed that select flights served by buses from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) will only transport passengers which have been security screened. The airline is working to enhance its shuttle service that has replaced select short-haul flights amid the growing pilot shortage. Airline representatives hope that the attraction of being security cleared throughout the journey will encourage more passengers to simply accept the bus option.
Sterile transit service
When American Airlines first announced that it could replace select short-haul routes with a bus service operated by Landline, it told the general public that passengers would board the buses after passing through security and be taken to the sterile side of the terminal at their next airport. While this looked great on paper, implementation proved difficult because it took time before the service could receive approval.
Having recently received approval from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), American has begun offering airside bus services between PHL and Allentown, Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), together with Recent Jersey’s Atlantic City International Airport (ACY).
Photo: American Airlines
Landline and American Airlines must follow strict protocols to maintain these bus operations sterile and in accordance with TSA guidelines. TSA’s Federal Security Director at Philadelphia International Airport, Gerardo Spero, stated,
“We have now put in quite a few security requirements for the bus operators and all airline personnel to make sure robust security protocols are followed in any respect times.”
Despite these regulations, airline executives have thanked TSA for approving its services. American Airlines’ Vice President of Corporate Security, Gary Tomasulo, shared the next,
“We’re thankful to the TSA, our regulatory and airport partners, and Landline for the collective partnership and work to attain this first-of-its-kind milestone. We’re excited to supply customers a more convenient experience to clear security at their local airport and arrive airside at our Philadelphia hub with a seamless connection to our global network.”
American Airlines hopes that the rise in sterile bus services will increase the recognition of this service. It would make connecting to other flights more convenient and take away the stress of going through security upon arriving at the subsequent destination. All these bus operations are done at a gate on Concourse E at PHL, enabling passengers to hook up with other flights conveniently.
The answer to a growing problem
American Airlines introduced this bus service to assist combat the continuing pilot shortage. While American has suffered from the deficit, the regional carriers operating short-haul flights on its behalf have taken the largest hit. For this reason, the airline has been forced to ground dozens of regional jets. Despite the shortage of pilots, demand for air travel continues to rise, forcing airlines to get creative of their operations.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Easy Flying
Airline executives selected to launch the bus service on routes lower than 200 miles to cut back the variety of regional routes while also decreasing operating costs and carbon emissions output. Landline claims that these two routes are only the start because it foresees bus services replacing nearly all of the domestic routes under 200 miles within the US.
The co-founder and CEO of Landline, David Sunde, stated,
“Airside service from ABE and ACY is a glimpse at the long run of travel that Landline is creating, by which ground transportation is fully integrated into the travel day,”
What do you’re thinking that of those sterile bus services? Have you ever traveled on an American Airlines shuttle? Tell us within the comments below.