menu

Contributor:

Greg Principato

Greg Principato blogs primarily on aviation and transportation security. His involvement in aviation and transportation infrastructure spans more than thirty years. He previously served as President of Airports Council International – North American from 2005 to 2013, where he oversaw the leading association of airports and airport-related businesses in North America, which enplane nearly all of the domestic and international airline passenger and cargo traffic on the continent. ACI-NA is the largest of the five worldwide regions of Airports Council International.

Prior to joining ACI-NA, Principato was a Trade and Transportation Specialist for the Law Firm of Hunton & Williams where he worked on a variety of issues including the negotiation of international air service agreements and alliances and the development of a new global standard for aircraft noise.

In 1993, as Executive Director of the National Commission to Ensure a Strong Competitive Airline Industry, Principato was responsible for the high profile work of a commission composed of 15 leaders from airlines, airports, manufacturers, general aviation, labor and the financial community. The Commission tackled important issues such as air traffic control reform, capacity enhancement, federal funding, international air service rights and foreign investment.

From 1979 to 1986, Principato worked on transportation issues for Senators J. Bennett Johnson (LA) and Joseph R. Biden (DE). After leaving the Senate, he went to work in the administration of Virginia Governor Gerald L. Baliles. The Baliles administration was nationally known for a commitment to transportation infrastructure.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Principato earned an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Chicago.

Words of Wisdom for Next TSA Administrator

|
February 4, 2015

In recent weeks, I have been asked by many people, from friends and family all the way to the Secretary of Homeland Security, what kind of person I think should be nominated to head the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). So, what kind of person should be nominated?

▾ Read More

Media Ebola Hype Misses Important Information

|
October 17, 2014

You can’t turn on CNN, in particular, without wall-to-wall Ebola coverage. Avert your eyes from the All Ebola All The Time coverage and focus on something that is a real threat to you—and go get a flu shot.

▾ Read More

A Fee, a Tax and an Opportunity

|
August 12, 2014

TSA is implementing the increased security fee mandated by Congress. There is some controversy over the way it is being done and some debate about whether it is a fee or a tax. This is an opportunity for government or industry leadership to bring together all parties to take a good, hard look at the entire system by which we fund aviation in this country.

▾ Read More

The Stupid Reporting on Security Threats

|
July 11, 2014

Recent reporting has reached new levels of stupidity, threatening public confidence and understanding and perhaps even the very security of the traveling public. Terrorists will always try to find ways around aviation security, but media headlines continue to report this as breaking news – when it is not.

▾ Read More

Rep. Jim Oberstar – Good Friend, Great American

|
May 21, 2014

A couple of Fridays ago, I was scheduled to have a call with former U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar. I was shocked to learn the next morning that he had passed away in his sleep. I will always remember this about Jim Oberstar: whenever a change to our aviation system was proposed, the lens he would use to examine it was, we have the safest, most secure system in the world, and we need to keep it that way.

▾ Read More

What Works, What Doesn’t – Improving Aviation Security

|
March 31, 2014

Ronald Reagan once said that there are plenty of simple solutions, they are just not easy. There are often problems that really vex us. In such situations, we tend to overthink, ignoring solutions that are right in front of us. Another way to put it is this: how do we best use and apply common sense? Here are two ideas for strengthening aviation security.

▾ Read More

At Sports Events, Some Security Tactics Drive Cynicism, Risk

|
February 10, 2014

Security is high for the Sochi Olympics, but the TSA’s ban on toothpaste and other gels on flights to Russia is not so much a deterrent as it is an insurance policy against blame should something happen. Meanwhile, metal detectors will be in use at Major League Baseball stadiums come 2015. For both Sochi and U.S. baseball, I am worried we are creating bigger problems down the road in terms of public cynicism and policies that actually increase risk.

▾ Read More

On Putin, Pot and Public Security in 2014

|
January 3, 2014

As 2014 begins, it is tempting to comment on trends and things one hopes will happen, or do not happen. A few things have occurred that have me thinking overtime on the latter – such as hesitancy to attend the Olympics given terrorism fears or TSA looking for marijuana from Colorado.

▾ Read More

U.S. Lacking Competitive Customs, Immigration Policy

|
November 11, 2013

For all the talk and clichés about a global market and a global economy, the talk and clichés have morphed into truth. How do we stack up in the United States? Not so good. We are hampered by our out-of-date approach to customs and immigration. Unless we make some changes, the United States will remain on the sidelines of a global hub system. And if you are not a hub, you are a spoke.

▾ Read More