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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Logan Airport's new 'remote terminal' and security line tracker seek to make travel smoother
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
In case you missed it, former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady made his runway debut Saturday night at the Gucci Resort 2027 fashion show (sporting enough leather to make a football jealous).
Speaking of things on the runway...
Up in the air: If you're one of the estimated 3.7 million people jet-setting this Memorial Day weekend — or really any time this summer — Logan Airport has a new tool for you. Flyers heading out of Boston can now check security line wait times before they arrive via a new tracker. And come June 1, there's the option to skip the line at the airport entirely by going through TSA at a new "remote terminal" in Framingham. Here's what to know about the changes:
- Back in March, Massport announced it was testing out a new system in Logan's Terminal B that estimates the security screening wait times for flyers. The system now covers seven security checkpoints at the airport, feeding live wait time results to Logan's website. Flyers can toggle between terminals A, B, C and E to find wait times for standard security and TSA PreCheck. But there's one hitch: The system only surveys people moving between TSA and where the checkpoint line begins. Any overflow beyond this area isn't included in the estimate, and "might lead to longer waits," according to Logan's website.
- If you'd rather skip the security line at the airport completely, consider starting your travel in Framingham. This first-in-the-nation remote terminal — located in a modular building near the Logan Express parking lot in Framingham — is part of a Massport pilot program that allows flyers to complete their security screening and check their bags before riding to Logan aboard a secure express bus. Once they arrive at the airport, they'll be dropped off on the other side of security. Massport officials said they hope more people will choose the remote terminal once it's open, reducing the traffic congestion around the airport.
- In other airport news: JetBlue will no longer fly out of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport come July 8. The airport announced in a Facebook post last Thursday that JetBlue made the "tough call" to terminate service to and from Manchester due to a "capacity crisis," exacerbated by rising cost of jet fuel. Morning Edition host Tiziana Dearing spoke with JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty last week about how the airline is faring amid rising fuel costs — and how they've managed to scoop up Spirit's lost business. Listen here.
Party's here: The Democratic National Committee will tour around Boston today to see if the city might be a good fit to host the Democratic National Convention in 2028. Boston is among five cities — including Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Denver — that the DNC is considering for its next convention, which typically attracts thousands of delegates and visitors. Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will head up today's tour with DNC reps, who are assessing the "logistical and operational components" of Boston's bid to host. The event could bring as much as $400 million in economic benefit to the commonwealth if Boston is selected, according to Steve Kerrigan, chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
- The criteria: The DNC says beyond having the ability to host an event of this magnitude, it wants to select a city that "shares Democratic values" for its convention.
- Looking back: It's been more than 20 years since the DNC held its convention in Boston. The last one was July 2004, when Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry was nominated as the party's candidate for president, and former President Barack Obama, then a state senator, first caught the nation's eye.
In court: The trial of Alvin Campbell, an accused serial rapist, begins today at Boston's Suffolk County Superior Court. Prosecutors allege that Campbell offered rides to intoxicated women while posing as an Uber driver or bouncer outside of Boston bars, and later sexually assaulted them. Campbell was first accused of rape by two roommates in 2017, who reported the assault to the Boston police. But it wasn't until three years later, when a fifth woman reported she was raped, that Campbell was arrested, WBUR's Ally Jarmanning reports. Investigators who searched Campbell's phone say they discovered evidence that he assaulted at least 11 women, including video of the alleged attacks. Campbell says the acts were consensual.
- Learn more: Campbell is the estranged brother of Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, who has said the prosecution has her "unreserved support" in this case.
Filing suit: George D. Pappas, a former federal immigration judge who was fired from the Chelmsford Immigration Court last year, is suing the Trump administration for wrongful termination. In a filing obtained by the Boston Globe, Pappas claims he was unlawfully fired due to his work with immigration advocacy groups, adding the Justice Department failed to give him a "legitimate, non-discriminatory justification" for his removal. WBUR has reached out to the Justice Department for comment.
- Learn more live: You can hear from Pappas at The WBUR Festival. He'll speak with WBUR's Simón Rios on Saturday, May 30 at 12:15 p.m. about this new era of immigration enforcement.
P.S. — The Green line's C branch is back up and running today, with a few reservations. From now through July 10, trains will bypass the line's Englewood Avenue and Tappan Street (westbound) stops so crews can complete maintenance work. They'll also skip the Tappan Street (inbound) stop for the same reason, but that station should be back in service by June 12. The MBTA suggests riders disembark a stop away, at Washington Square or Dean Road, amid the disruption.
