Prosecutors said the gate agent saw the defendant sitting in the jump seat behind the pilot and told him that if he was going to sit there he would have to go back to the check-in gate to complete paperwork and verifications.

NPR: New Charges For Man Accused Of Impersonating Pilot

Supported by other major players in the aviation industry, including BAA and SITA, it aims to cut the time passengers spend between the check-in desk and departure gate.

CNN: Heathrow tests biometrics

Air travel has become increasingly annoying and enervating: delayed flights, more restrictive rules on the size of carry-ons (anything bigger than a wallet may force a gate check), delayed or lost luggage, long check-in lines, etc.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

If all goes well, the system could check up to 1, 200 passengers every hour at a single gate -- a rate quick enough to prevent a logjam at even the busiest terminals.

ENGADGET: Hitachi boarding gate can sniff explosives on passes, keep the transport queues flowing (video)

For an upscale, outdoorsy experience, check out the skyline views from Cavallo Point, a five-star luxury resort located under the Golden Gate Bridge about 15 minutes from downtown.

BBC: Business trip: San Francisco