Airlines

Alaska Airlines employee sparks innovative recycling tactic in Nome

Alaska, which is famously only accessible by air, sea and dogsled, Caitlin Auktweenna “Auk” Tozier knows intimately how important it is to recycle.

Tozier has worked as an Alaska Airlines ramp agent for over three years and also as a technology specialist at Kawerak, a Native nonprofit company in Nome that helps the community through programmes ranging from education to natural resource management to economic development.

Emirates’ first retired A380 to be repurposed in the UAE(Opens in a new browser tab)

Tozier has witnessed her community’s efforts to gather recycling, which can sometimes sit for months on barges bound for Seattle. Materials come in and never depart, according to her. Heavy equipment, lead-acid batteries, and electronics are examples of items that are both expensive to carry and hazardous to the environment if left unattended. As a result, Tozier was inspired to take action to correct the situation.

Emirates’ first retired A380 to be repurposed in the UAE(Opens in a new browser tab)

Tozier fills and loads water jugs used as ballast as part of her profession as a ramp agent, a technique in which water or other material is used onboard an aeroplane to help manage or maintain its stability – something that is required given the severe winds that are common in Nome.

Tozier brought the suggestion to use recycling as ballast to the attention of the Alaska Air Cargo management group and her station manager, Crystal Andersen-Booth. Actions were started when the group came to an agreement.

Alaska Air Cargo launched a programme this spring to transport up to 50,000 pounds of recyclable waste annually out of Nome after successful test flights last summer (before the ground froze in Nome). This programme is all thanks to Tozier’s creative thinking and will aid in clean-up efforts in remote communities along the Bering Sea and conserve precious water resources.

A smaller airport like Nome is now able to make a significant contribution to the company’s bigger recycling efforts through the new recycling programme, which unites operations across Alaska Airlines to decrease Alaska’s environmental impact.

Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.