**Title:** Toddler's Airport Conveyor Belt Adventure Highlights Ongoing Issues at Newark Airport

A two-year-old Staten Island boy had a frightful experience at Newark Liberty International Airport last Wednesday when he got onto a baggage conveyor belt that carried him away from his mother's sight. The alarming incident occurred while his mother was rebooking a flight in Terminal A with a JetBlue employee. The toddler climbed onto the low conveyor belt, which moved him along and eventually dropped him through a chute into the luggage screening area below.

Quick response from Port Authority officers was crucial in ensuring the child's safety. Hearing about the incident, the officers swiftly navigated the baggage system. According to Port Authority Police PBA President Frank Conti, the rapid action of the officers was vital as they split up to track the boy down. One officer ultimately found the unharmed child near an X-ray machine, rescuing him before he could come into contact with it. Fortunately, the toddler was safely reunited with his family, who subsequently boarded their flight to Tampa, Florida.

However, this event adds to a series of troubling incidents that have marked Newark Airport in recent months. Described as a "delay-plagued hellhole," the airport has faced a multitude of issues including severe tarmac backups, significant flight cancellations, construction disruptions, and control tower blackouts. One particularly distressing situation occurred on April 28, when air traffic controllers were left without radar and communications for 90 seconds, delaying thousands of flights and causing several controllers to take trauma leave.

The airport's struggles have led some experts to suggest drastic measures to manage the chaos. Among the proposed solutions is the permanent reduction of daily flights combined with the use of larger aircraft to handle the passenger volume more efficiently. Despite these suggestions, immediate improvements appear unlikely according to former FAA Safety Team member Kyle Bailey.

Adding to the complications, New Jersey health officials recently warned of a potential measles outbreak after an infected traveler passed through Terminal B. As Newark Airport continues to grapple with these challenges, travelers are increasingly concerned about safety and reliability.