During the partial government shutdown, screeners at two Silicon Valley airports, San Francisco and San Jose International, ushered thousands of people through security checkpoints.

Operations at airports 35 miles apart looked similar — uniformed officers reminding people to take off their shoes and put their laptops in plastic bins — but there was one big difference: Only the officers at the San Francisco airport were paid.

That's because San Francisco International is one of nearly two dozen airports across the country that hires private contractors to conduct its security inspections instead of the Transportation Security Administration.

As the closure stretched from days to weeks, more and more TSA employees stopped showing up. At some point, 10 percent of TSA officers did not report for duty.

The result: isolated staff shortages across the country and anxiety for travelers. Airports in Baltimore, Houston and Miami had to temporarily close checkpoints. TSA officials acknowledged that many officers did not come to work because of the financial hardship that comes with working without pay.

TSA: Financial stress of closure forces officers to stay home

“Operations were normal,” said Doug Yakel, an airport spokesman.

There has long been a debate about whether airport screening should be carried out by the federal government or by private companies. And the latest government shutdown — and the possibility of a repeat if lawmakers can't reach a deal with President Trump by Friday — has some wondering whether concerns about staffing could prompt more airports to consider switching to private contractors.

Before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, airport security was handled by private contractors and paid for by airlines. But after 9/11, those duties were assigned to the newly created TSA, which is responsible for security screening at the vast majority of the nation's 440-plus airports.

But as part of that agreement, Congress also created a voluntary pilot program allowing five airports to use private contractors for security inspections. The program, launched in 2002, was eventually open to all airports. Today, 22 airports participate – including the original five: San Francisco, Kansas City International in Missouri, Greater Rochester International in New York, Jackson Hole in Wyoming and Tupelo Regional in Mississippi.

Proponents of the system say the TSA hasn't made it easy for airports to make the switch. The agency has the final say on whether an airport can choose to use private auditors, and while requests are rarely denied, the process can be time-consuming. Others blame inertia and say some airports are reluctant to tinker with an agreement that works.

“I don’t know why, but it’s just ingrained in our consciousness that this is the only way,” said David Inserra, a homeland security policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation who has long advocated for the shift to using private companies for Screening.

Considerations when an airport applies for the program include the following: The cost of private screeners cannot be greater than the cost that would be incurred if the TSA remained at the airport. If approved, the TSA – not the airport – selects, pays and manages the contractor.

Private contractors must follow the same rules and procedures as their TSA counterparts, but have some latitude in determining checkpoint staffing. The workers wear different uniforms, but their training, salary and benefits are roughly the same. The starting salary for a TSA officer is $37,455, but may be higher in some parts of the country depending on staffing needs and cost of living.

Although the private auditors are contractors, they were paid during the shutdown while other government contractors were not because they were considered essential personnel and not being paid would have violated their contract.

Evaluations of the two programs by outside firms hired by the TSA have found no significant differences between the two systems – either in cost or in the ability to move passengers through checkpoints, TSA officials said.

But studies by the Government Accountability Office show that private contractors' costs were in some cases 2 to 19 percent lower than the TSA's cost estimates for the same work. The GAO also said the TSA's calculations did not take into account costs such as retirement benefits.

A TSA spokeswoman said the agency adjusted its estimates based on GAO recommendations.

The shutdown is putting a strain on the country's aviation system

The external evaluations did not investigate customer complaints or analyze the absenteeism, retention or turnover of auditors working for private companies.

The Heritage Foundation's Inserra contends that private companies are better suited to the job of managing airport security. He said they are more adept at managing and retaining employees and can respond more quickly to an increase in passenger volume.

“TSA’s focus should be on policy – ​​setting standards and developing new technologies,” added Steve Amitay, executive director of the National Association of Security Companies. “A large portion of TSA is dedicated to managing this screener workforce. It’s about doing a job that isn’t necessarily government-related.”

However, a 2004 Congressional Research Service report found that private companies that ran security services in the years before the September 11 attacks suffered from poor morale and high turnover – some of the same problems faced by today's TSA has to fight. However, Amitay claimed that new training and pay standards had improved working conditions and contractor morale.

At the TSA Academy, teaching is practice-oriented

But Greg Regan, secretary-treasurer of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, a coalition of 32 unions, argued that safety review is best left to the federal government.

“TSA’s mission is to keep people safe,” he said. “The goal is to detect threats and prevent them from having a negative impact on our system. This is the ultimate mission statement. If you privatize you will introduce another target and that is profit.”

Other union officials argue that the answer lies not in privatization but in a functioning federal government that can pay its workers and its bills on time.

“I don't think throwing up your hands and turning to private security companies is the solution here,” said J. David Cox Sr., national president of the American Federation of Government Employees. “The federal government must do its job to provide the screening services.”

Union says TSA officers can't afford to staff checkpoints without paychecks

Mary Schiavo, a former U.S. Department of Transportation inspector general and aviation expert, added: “We must never say that our TSA employees are not important enough to be federal employees.”

She noted that the September 11 attacks occurred at a time when checkpoints were operated by private companies.

Some of the country's largest airports have toyed with the idea of ​​switching to private contractors. After the understaffed TSA struggled to keep up with record numbers of travelers in 2016, airport officials in Chicago, New York and Atlanta threatened to hire private contractors.

TSA officials blamed years of cuts for the backups, which forced the agency to reduce its 45,000 airport workforce by 12 percent. The furor died down after TSA officials promised changes and convinced Congress to increase its staff. The TSA has 51,000 screeners and about 33,000 are on duty daily.

Atlantic City International Airport recently switched to private screeners after growing frustration over TSA staffing that failed to account for flight delays.

Stephen F. Dougherty, executive director of the South Jersey Transportation Authority, said the TSA will regularly close the airport checkpoint at specific times, regardless of whether flights are delayed. As a result, hundreds of passengers missed their flights because there was no one to escort them through security.

“[Atlantic City International] “prides itself on being a much more convenient and passenger-friendly airport than the larger airports in the region, and this change went against basic operating principles,” he said.

After complaints about long wait times, the TSA is rushing to personnel checkpoints

Some Republican lawmakers have pushed legislation to make it easier for airports to switch to private screeners. A bill introduced last year by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) sought, among other changes, to shorten the time it takes airports to receive TSA approval for the switch. Lee is updating his bill and plans to reintroduce it this year, his spokesman said. However, a provision passed last year to fund the Federal Aviation Administration requires the TSA to make a decision on any application within 60 days. The authority previously had 120 days to make a decision.

Christopher Bidwell, vice president of security for Airports Council International-North America, a group that advocates for the nation's airports, said it supports programs that give airports the flexibility they need to best serve travelers.

“Our position up [SPP]is that it should remain a viable program for any airport that wants to participate.”

The shutdown is putting a strain on the country's aviation safety system

Air traffic controllers receive their first paycheck for the shutdown: $0.00

The TSA is considering eliminating security checkpoints at 150 small airports

The post At San Francisco Worldwide Airport, personal contractors deal with safety screening. Is it the airport of the longer term? appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

LAS VEGAS, February 01, 2023–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Plumbing Manufacturers International’s leadership and staff are leading a crusade for safe, clean water for future generations. Their latest stop is the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) 2023, where they are working this week to persuade policymakers and potential allies about the urgency of the association’s PMI’s Rethink Water initiative.

“All across the globe, we all need to rethink how we use water every day,” says Kerry Stackpole, PMI’s CEO and executive director. “Not only how do we use it, but how do we save as much as possible and make it safe for those who will need it in the future. Of all the facets of climate change, its impact on water may be the most profound. “

The enormousness of the challenge makes it somewhat intimidating to address. Where does one begin? Looking at it from the perspective of plumbing manufacturing, Stackpole said he believes you start with your strengths. “For more than 15 years, our industry has been making toilets, showerheads, faucets and other plumbing products that use water more efficiently than the older products most people still have in their homes. We simply need to install more of these WaterSense products, and the water savings will be substantial,” he explains.

That’s why PMI’s first Rethink Water project is legacy product replacement – replacing older, inefficient products with new, more-efficient WaterSense models. At KBIS, PMI hosted a Power Break and Briefing today to inform members, policymakers, other guests and media about the urgency of this project and the need to establish a robust public-private partnership to accomplish it.

EPA’s successful WaterSense program has proved its ability to save water

An Environmental Protection Agency program started in 2006, WaterSense has so far saved 6.4 trillion gallons of water, including 1.1 trillion in the last year counted alone, according to the program’s latest accomplishments report. To be certified to bear the WaterSense label, a plumbing product must use at least 20% less water than a product meeting federal standards established in 1994 by the Energy Policy Act (EPAct).

Story continues

American households use about 10 trillion gallons of water each year – which means last year, WaterSense products saved an amount equal to 11% of the total amount used by US households. That’s no easy achievement, but it’s nowhere near the potential of the WaterSense program. That’s because many households still don’t have WaterSense plumbing products installed.

A 2022 GMP Research study commissioned by PMI found that only 23% of California residences have toilets meeting WaterSense standards. More than half of these residences have WaterSense showerheads and faucets, but a strong minority does not, the study found. An earlier GMP study commissioned by PMI found that most states have WaterSense statistics similar to California’s.

PMI estimates that up to 326 billion gallons of water can be saved over 30 years in California by replacing the 26.1 million toilets not up to WaterSense standards with WaterSense toilets. By accelerating the replacement of these toilets, 65.3 billion gallons can be saved within five years, and 95.7 billion gallons within 10 years. Achieving similar savings in all 50 states can increase the gallons saved into the trillions.

But numerical estimates do not reflect the current situation. Because water-efficiency standards are currently set by states, PMI and its allies have started advocating state-by-state for robust legacy product replacement programs, starting with California and other western states having water supplies hit hard by the drought. PMI California government affairs consultant Jerry Desmond and PMI technical director Kyle Thompson have broached legacy product replacement with California water officials, with the hopes of building the idea into a bill this year.

Legacy product replacement isn’t a new idea

In California, toilet replacement or rebate programs have been implemented in Southern California, San Francisco, and other regions and municipalities.

San Antonio, Texas, had a decade-long program that delivered and replaced toilets free of charge until virtually no inefficient toilets were left to replace. Programs replacing toilets free of charge or via rebates have been implemented throughout the nation, primarily at the county or municipal level, in places including Dallas/Fort Worth, Maui, New York City, Seattle, and Tucson. Some of the programs have low income requirements.

Because these programs save water, PMI would like to see legacy product replacement scaled up into statewide programs through which the total savings would be immense. “Part of our challenge is to get policymakers and allies comfortable with audacious, bold solutions,” Stackpole stated. Compared to other water-related solutions on the drawing board, such as desalination and rainwater catchment, legacy product replacement on a larger scale is relatively modest, he explained. “Half-way solutions won’t solve the water crisis. We have to think bigger.”

PMI Board of Directors President Sal Gattone of LIXIL is working closely with Stackpole and the PMI board members on the legacy product replacement challenge. “During this time of climate change and uncertainty, we all need to acquire the role of a conservationist,” Gattone stated. “Modern life relies on the easy availability of water. This access assures our health and safety and our very survival. Hence, we need to collectively respond to water crises and actively work together on sustainable solutions.”

About Plumbing Manufacturers International

Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) is the trade association of plumbing product manufacturers that produce more than 90% of the United States’ plumbing products, represent more than 150 iconic brands, and develop safe, reliable and innovative water-efficient plumbing technologies. PMI members contribute more than 464,000 jobs and $85.5 billion in economic impact to America’s economy.

With a vision of safe, responsible plumbing – always, PMI advocates for plumbing product performance contributing to water efficiency and savings, sustainability, public health and safety, and consumer satisfaction through its Rethink Water initiative and other programs. PMI members manufacture water-efficient toilets, urinals, faucets, showerheads and other products at more than 70 locations across the country and market them online and in more than 24,000 home improvement stores, hardware stores and showrooms in all 50 states. For more information on PMI, contact the organization at 1750 Tysons Blvd., Ste. 1500, McLean, Va., 22102; phone: 847-481-5500; fax: 847-481-5501. safeplumbing.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230201005140/en/

Contacts

Ray Valek, ray@valekco.com, 708-352-8695

The post At KBIS, Plumbing Producers Worldwide Promotes Rethink Water Initiative – A Campaign for Protected, Clear Water for Future Generations appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

San Francisco International Airport Reaches New Heights in Sustainable Project Delivery | Engineering News Record

This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.

This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. LearnMore
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.

The post San Francisco Worldwide Airport Reaches New Heights in Sustainable Mission Supply appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

The San Francisco Air Mail Center — the post office within the San Francisco International Airport — will close for good Thursday following the non-renewal of the site’s lease by the airport.

US Postal Service spokesperson Evelina Ramirez confirmed March 31 will be the last day of operation for the location at 660 W. Field Road that dates back to the 1960’s. The Postal Service issued a letter in January indicating it might suspend service at the location, and another last week verifying the closure.

The decision to not renew the lease on the airport-owned property was made in August 2020, at which time the Postal Service was notified, according to SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel, who said the lease expires in August this year.

He said the airport plans to use the site for “future facility development,” likely a mix of cargo facilities and aircraft parking. While the Airport Commission awards leases and their extensions, it does not hear lease expirations or decisions not to renew leases, he said.

Ramirez said the Postal Service preferred to remain at the location but was “basically told we needed to leave.”

Mail service at the location will be transferred to the post office at 820 Stanton Road in Burlingame. Those with PO boxes at the airport location will be accommodated in Burlingame beginning April 2, and the transfer of service will be completed April 6, according to the Postal Service.

The Burlingame location is open 10:30 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm Monday to Friday, and closed on weekends.

The post San Francisco Worldwide Airport publish workplace completely closes | Native Information appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

Ron Galatolo

Former San Mateo Community College District Chancellor Ron Galatolo was arrested at the San Francisco International Airport Tuesday following his return from vacation, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office said.

The DA’s Office said Galatolo declined to give any statements and would instead be communicating through his lawyer.

Galatolo faces 21 felony charges for alleged mismanagement of community college district contracts and other financial improprieties. He is accused of alleging fraudulent reporting of charitable donations, steering district construction projects as chancellor, failure to disclose gifts from construction firms who had business with the district, and underreporting the purchase price of luxury cars to the California DMV.

Galatolo allegedly directed district construction project contracts to people he received valuable gifts from and with whom he shared financial interests. Gifts included tickets for concerts, sporting events and international travel. He is also accused of falsely reporting on his 2017 state income tax return a $10,000 charitable donation to the Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation Fire Relief Fund for students and staff recovering from the Tubbs fire. The DA’s Office said the donation was made by the San Mateo County Community College District Foundation.

He could face more than 10 years in jail for the crimes if convicted. Charges were originally announced last week.

The arrest resulted from a multiyear investigation after a whistleblower complaint in 2019. The district operates three colleges in San Mateo County; Cañada College, College of San Mateo and Skyline College. Galatolo began as chancellor in 2001 and resigned suddenly in 2019 amid revelations about the investigation and after the district board offered him an emeritus title to use while exploring ways to create a four-year program at the district.

The post Ex-chancellor is arrested at San Francisco Worldwide Airport | Native Information appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today American Express (NYSE:AXP) reopened the newly expanded Centurion Lounge at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). At 16,000 square feet the lounge is now nearly double in size and features more seating, an additional bar with specialty wine flights curated by sommelier and Centurion Lounge Wine Director Anthony Giglio, and a new menu from San Francisco’s Liholiho Yacht Club Executive Chef Ravi Kapur.

“We’re excited to head into the new year with the opening of our Centurion Lounge at San Francisco International Airport,” stated Pablo Rivero, Vice President & General Manager, Global Lounge Experiences. “With exceptional food, wine and art inspired by Northern California, this well-appointed lounge is designed to leave Card Members feeling refreshed and ready for their travels.”

The Centurion Lounge at SFO will now have more space for eligible Card Members to enjoy, including two wine bars and café areas, additional restrooms, private phone rooms, several private workspaces, and more. The lounge is located in Terminal 3 on the mezzanine level.

LOCALLY SOURCED WINE1

The lounge will feature a new bar where guests can enjoy specialty wine flights highlighting four regional wines curated by renowned wine authority Anthony Giglio. The new bar complements the existing wine wall where guests can sample wines from across California. The wine flights will rotate seasonally, starting today with a Sonoma Chardonnay flight and a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon flight:

Sonoma Chardonnay Flight

• Gundlach Bundschu Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2020

• Head High Sonoma County Chardonnay 2021

• Sonoma Cutrer Les Pierres Sonoma Valley Chardonnay 2019

• Walt Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2019

Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Flight

• Emblem Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

• Miner Emily’s Cuvee Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

• The Critic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

• Twenty Rows Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

“As San Francisco is globally known for its world-class wine, the wine menu in the Centurion Lounge at San Francisco International Airport is fully dedicated to highlighting local California grapes,” said Anthony Giglio, sommelier and Centurion Lounge Wine Director. “For our first-ever wine flight experience, I’m thrilled to feature two of America’s most famous and established wine regions – Sonoma and Napa Valley.”

ELEVATED DINING AND DESIGN

The lounge will offer a new seasonal menu that celebrates Bay Area purveyors from Liholiho Yacht Club Executive Chef Ravi Kapur. The Hawaiian-born, James Beard Award-nominated chef will continue to bring his unique flair to the Centurion Lounge at SFO with dishes inspired by his lineage and family memories including, Kochujang marinated chicken thighs, wild rice and coconut soup, and black vinegar and Honey glazed baby carrots.

Consumers appreciate premium dining options when traveling through airport lounges. A recent Amex Trendex* survey found that a majority of respondents (64%) said that premium food and beverage offerings are their favorite parts of airport lounges.

The lounge will showcase two custom floor-to-ceiling wallcoverings by abstract artist Tracie Cheng, and new interior design that takes cues from the local vineyards, landscape, and the iconic San Francisco fog to give guests a sense of relaxation.

UNPARALLELED ACCESS

With more lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market and the only credit card issuer with a proprietary lounge at SFO, the American Express Global Lounge Collection is just one of the many ways American Express supports Card Members through their travels. American Express continues to enhance the Centurion Lounge network through new locations and expanding existing lounges. American Express has announced plans to open new lounge locations at the Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, DC and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL) in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

*AMEX TRENDEX METHODOLOGY

This Amex Trendex online poll was conducted between November 4th – November 7th, 2022, among a sample of 2000 Adults with an HHI> 70k+ who travel by plane at least once a year. The interviews were conducted online. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points

ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS

American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products, services and corporate sustainability information: personal cards, business cards and services, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, Accertify, Kabbage, Resy, corporate card, business travel, diversity and inclusion, corporate sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance reports.

ABOUT THE CENTURION LOUNGE

The Centurion Lounge is the signature lounge program within the broader American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes access to American Express Centurion Lounges, international American Express lounges, Delta Sky Club® for Card Members flying on Delta, Priority Pass Select Lounges upon enrollment, Airspace Lounges, MAG US Escape Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges–a total of more than 1,400 lounges across 140 countries and counting.

Eligible Card Members can find a lounge at the Global Lounge Collection website or by using the American Express® App. They can also check into select Centurion Lounges through the mobile check-in tool within the American Express® App.

ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

SFO is excited to welcome travelers back to the skies with an airport experience featuring seamless access, thoughtful amenities, sustainable design and inspiring artwork and exhibits.

For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit www.flysfo.com. Follow us on twitter.com/flysfo and facebook.com/flysfo.

Source: American Express Company

Location: U.S

1 Must be of legal age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.

The post American Categorical Opens 16,000 Sq. Foot Centurion Lounge at San Francisco Worldwide Airport appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

A knife attack at San Francisco International Airport that left three people injured Friday has resulted in the arrest of Karamjit Singh, 33, of Yuba City, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office said.

Singh is accused of entering SFO on Friday at around 6 pm and attacking two people waiting in line at the ticket counter with a 2-foot-long machete. He then slashed a third person waiting in line at a food court, the DA’s Office said.

The incident occurred before security checks, with his machete hidden in his backpack. The three victims suffered only minor injuries. While a motive has not been determined, he allegedly dropped papers with 9/11 conspiracies, the DA’s Office said. He was arrested within minutes of the attacks at the airport and remains in jail with no bail. He faces three counts of assault with a deadly weapon and a trespassing charge.

The post Man arrested for San Francisco Worldwide Airport knife assault | Native Information appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

A man accused of stealing a taxi at San Francisco International Airport and running over the driver has been arrested and charged, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office said.

Leandru Smith, 31, of San Francisco, is accused of jumping into a taxi at 3:50 am June 23, while the taxi driver was helping another customer get into the taxi, the DA’s Office said. When the taxi driver tried to get back into the taxi and stop him, a struggle ensued for steering wheel control. Smith, who was in the vehicle, accelerated and ran over the taxi driver. The incident caused the taxi driver to hit his head, and he remains in the hospital, the DA’s Office said.

Police came and arrested Smith after getting witness corroboration. Smith has been charged with carjacking and felony assault with a deadly weapon. His bail is $200,000, and his next court appearance is July 8, according to prosecutors.

The post Man arrested for airport carjacking at San Francisco Worldwide Airport | Native Information appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

November gas prices are down, but they are still the highest since AAA started recording the data 20 years ago and are about 51 cents more expensive than last year.

That means those 6.3 million Californians who plan to travel by car this week will be paying the price, just at a slight discount since the peak of $6,438 per gallon this summer.

AAA tracks fuel prices as a public service and spokesperson Julian Paredes said the increase in travelers is 2% more than in 2021.

“And that’s a record, that’s more travelers than before the pandemic,” Paredes said.

For travelers who plan to fly this holiday season, Doug Yakel, public information officer for San Francisco International Airport, said the airport forecasts 5 million travelers from this past week until New Year’s Day. Yakel said the expected travelers from this year are about 85% from 2019.

For those who will be driving rather than flying this week, AAA advises travelers to check their fluids, tire pressure, vehicle repair kit and battery charger while making sure there are extra snacks and water. Another piece of advice is to leave early as traffic delays are expected.

“There are going to be a lot of people out there and pretty much every highway is going to be packed, it’s definitely smart to give yourself more time to travel than any other time of the year,” Paredes said.

AAA anticipates over 400,000 roadside assistance calls nationwide this week, he added.

The peak of travel will be on Wednesday from 8 am to 8 pm and for the remainder of the week, 4-8 pm is going to be the rush hours.

While traffic this week might slow drivers down, the prices at the pump are better than the past few months, Paredes said, as gas prices in California have dropped about 58 cents in the last month.

Officer Judith Bryant directs traffic at San Francisco International Airport.

Nick Rose/Daily Journal

“Gas prices in San Mateo County are $5.33 a gallon for regular gas,” Paredes said. “That’s about 13 cents above the average for California right now and California has the highest prices in the country.”

The national average is $3.63 per gallon in comparison, he added.

The price for a barrel of crude oil is $81.51 and has ranged from $80 to $90 a barrel for the last month.

Anyone who is planning to drive to the airport, the parking garage is at capacity so for travelers who plan to drive and park their car there. Yakel suggests reserving parking passes on FlySFO.com to ensure there is parking.

“We recommend getting to the airport two hours prior to the flight for domestic and three hours for international,” Yakel said.

Yakel recommends downloading the app from the airline to check bags online and use TSA Precheck to save time and waiting in lines.

The post AAA and San Francisco Worldwide Airport provide suggestions for these hitting the roads, flying | Native Information appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

Two of Dallas-Fort Worth’s largest public companies named new chief executives this week in planned successions.

Irving-based Vistra Corp., the state’s largest power generator, named longtime company executive Jim Burke as its next CEO to replace Curt Morgan, who has guided the company since 2016. Burke’s promotion is effective Aug. 1.

Richardson-based Lennox International went outside the company to find Todd Bluedorn’s successor. It hired Alok Maskara, CEO of Luxfer Holdings PLC, to an advanced materials industrial company. He takes over May 9.

Bluedorn announced in July that he intended to retire by mid-2022. He led the heating, venting and air conditioning giant for 15 years. Lennox’s revenue grew 15% last year to nearly $4.2 billion.

Maskara, 51, has guided Luxxfer Holdings for five years. Prior to Luxfer, he was president of several global business units at Pentair PLC, a water treatment and sustainable applications company, for a decade. He also previously held leadership roles at General Electric Corp. and McKinsey & Co.

At Vistra, Morgan will stay on as CEO through a summer transition, according to the company. Board chairman Scott Helm credited Morgan with moving the company away from a reliance on coal plants and into one of the largest power producers and retailers in the US It sells electricity and natural gas to nearly 4.3 million residential, commercial and industrial customers.

“Leading Vistra has been the most rewarding experience of my 40-year career,” Morgan said in a statement. “Now is the right time for this leadership transition. The company is strong with the right strategic direction and capital allocation plan. And importantly, Jim is the right person for the job.”

Burke, 53, most recently was president and chief financial officer of the $12 billion-a-year business that includes well-known retailers TXU Energy, Ambit Energy and Dynegy and power generator Luminant. Before that, he was Vistra’s chief operating officer for four years and previously served as CEO of TXU Energy.

CEO turnover is beginning to accelerate this year, with 276 top executives departing in January and February, according to a report by global outplacement and coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. That’s up nearly 42% from the same two-month period a year ago.

“As pandemic concerns subside somewhat with falling cases, leaders who have been in crisis mode for the last two years may look for something new,” said Andrew Challenger, senior vice president of the Chicago-based firm. “As with many American workers, they may choose to retire or resign for other positions.”

Since August, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Tenet Healthcare are among North Texas companies with retiring CEOs being replaced with internal successors. Earlier this month, Susan Salka, the chief executive who established Dallas as a second headquarters city for staffing firm AMN Healthcare, said she will retire this year after her successor is hired.

The post Energy producer Vistra and HVAC big Lennox Worldwide are getting new high bosses appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.