Benjamin M. Branham

Dad/husband/NYer. Lover of new airports. Adjunct @BaruchCollege. Proud Alum: @PANYNJ @NYCEDC @EdelmanPR @Illinois_Alma @Kennedy_School.

[Benjamin M. Branham @benbranham]

OBIT: The cabin door has closed and the jetbridge retracted for the last flight ever departing the old @LGAairport Central Terminal Building, opened for ‘64 World’s Fair and in its later years brought New Yorkers together in their universal disdain for it. #notallgoodbyesaresad

[Robert Sterling @RobertMSterling]

I just had the craziest experience at the airport.

We are about to board a flight to Atlanta when the pilot from the incoming plane walks out of the jetway. Guy is probably late 50s, salt and pepper hair, military look. The kind of pilot you instantly feel good about seeing on your flight.

Pilot walks over to the counter, gets on the PA system, and starts addressing everyone. “Folks, I’ve been doing this a long time. Flying one of these jets is easy. The hard part is looking at 130 people and telling them their flight is going to be delayed.”

Audible groans throughout the boarding gate. Most people here are flying to Atlanta as a layover before another flight. 130 people just had their day become a complete mess.

The pilot goes on. “I get it, trust me. But here’s the deal: During our landing, we had a small mechanical issue. I’m not your pilot for the next leg, but I don’t feel confident the jet’s safe to fly until we have a mechanical team look it over, and I don’t feel comfortable asking the next pilots to fly you guys until we get confirmation.”

He points at the agents next to him behind the counter: “Now, none of this is the agents’ fault. Please be kind to them. I’m the one who made this decision, not them, so any inconvenience you experience is my fault. Just please know that I don’t do this lightly, and I’m only doing it because I believe it’s in the best interests of everyone’s safety.”

Now this is where the story gets crazy. The pilot puts the microphone down, grabs his suitcase, and all the people in the gate…

Start clapping.

I’m not joking, everyone starts clapping for the guy. 130 people who just had their travel plans ruined give an ovation to the guy who made the decision and delivered the message.

All because he addressed them with decency and transparency, took ownership of the decision, made it clear that it was necessary, and explained why it was in everyone’s best interest.

It’s honestly one of the best examples of strong communication—of strong leadership, for that matter—that I’ve seen in a long time.

@Delta, whoever your Atlanta to Wichita pilot was this morning, he’s one of the good ones. Please tell him the delayed passengers of flight 1637 appreciate what he did.

[Sports Card Investor @SportsCardInv]

BREAKING: Beckett is officially rolling out a new label + brand refresh, and this is just the beginning 👀

Here’s what’s changing:

🏛️ Return to Beckett’s roots: The iconic “B with laurels” logo is BACK, replacing the B-Star era and reconnecting to hobby heritage
🔒 Major security upgrades: Advanced holograms, microprinting, UV-reactive elements, and a scannable QR code that links directly to verification + pop data
✍️ Stronger autograph authentication: New 2-step verification system to confirm BOTH the auto and the Beckett certification are legit
📊 Cleaner, collector-first label design: Larger grade, improved layout, unified subgrades + auto details, and thicker stock to eliminate label movement
🔗 “One Beckett” system: Grading + authentication unified under one brand for a more seamless experience

What do you think of Beckett's new updates?

[Illinois Men's Basketball @IlliniMBB]

New decor.

[Courtney Layne Brewer @courtneylaynebr]

The South Regional Trophy has touched down in CHAMPAIGN

[The Champaign Room @Champaign_Room]

Party like it's 2005 #illini fans 🔥

[Governor JB Pritzker @GovPritzker]

A historic run 20 years in the making! Congrats to the Fighting Illini. Let’s take it home.

I-L-L!

[Illinois Men's Basketball @IlliniMBB]

SLAP IT ON

[Benjamin M. Branham @benbranham]

I'm no expert on bike parking, but I've seen enough from working in govt and both sides of procurement efforts to sense this definitely doesn't smell right. Hope the incoming admin of @ZohranKMamdani takes a hard look at the process + evaluates if the decision is best for NYers.

[ryanrz.skr @Ryanrz]

I was part of 40+ city procurements.

This is the most ridiculous I’ve seen.

They didn’t even grant @ooneepod an interview.

Either incompetence, spite, cronyism, or procedural disqualification.

I’m sure the truth will be revealed, but this is yet another cautionary tale of trying to build a business based on govt contracts.

[Chicago History ™️ @Chicago_History]

Bill Murray looks up at the brand new Ryne Sandberg statue outside Wrigley Field.

#ChicagoHistory ☑️

[Chicago Cubs @Cubs]

With great sadness, we share that Ryne Sandberg has passed away today.

[Benjamin M. Branham @benbranham]

@midwestern_ope They say he can turn wine into Malort.

[Andrew Kimball @NYCEDCPresident]

First Deputy Mayor @MTorresSpringer is one of the finest public servants I’ve worked with. Your dedication to NYC is unmatched. From unlocking Willets Point & SPARC Kips Bay to expanding career pathways, the city owes you immense gratitude. Thank you for everything!

[Benjamin M. Branham @benbranham]

But also an incredible testament to the integrity of each of these dedicated public servants.

[Mark D. Levine @MarkLevineNYC]

This is an unmitigated disaster. Each one of these leaders is a seasoned, talented professional. Their loss will leave NYC gov't in a truly precarious position. This is untenable.

[Benjamin M. Branham @benbranham]

Potentially the best quote about a new workplace policy of all time: “It went down like a cup of cold sick, quite honestly. Everyone just stopped working in stunned silence – then the fury and panic came.”
https://t.co/SqSV7Ghze9

[philip lewis @Phil_Lewis_]

Walgreens CEO says anti-shoplifting strategy backfired: ‘When you lock things up…you don’t sell as many of them’ https://t.co/W7WQGOfNXo

[Benjamin M. Branham @benbranham]

BFD. Congrats (and thank you!) to all those involved who’ve been advocating for this for years. Critical step to bringing this long-overdue and transformational new bus terminal closer to reality.

[Port Authority of NY & NJ @PANYNJ]

BIG NEWS: We just received a federal loan of up to $1.9 billion to support the first phase of the Midtown Bus Terminal replacement project, with construction to begin this year.

Learn more about this critical infrastructure upgrade: https://t.co/kQFz3wtWCC

[Super 70s Sports @Super70sSports]

A movie that couldn’t be made today that’s better than everything being made today.

[Port Authority of NY & NJ @PANYNJ]

Get your jokes in now, @nbcsnl! Sometimes these skits age as well as drugstore milk, or even airport sushi 😉

A new Midtown Bus Terminal is on the way: https://t.co/qKF2XhftAE

https://t.co/n12EoywaMF

[Mike Bloomberg @MikeBloomberg]

I voted for @KamalaHarris without hesitation. When it comes to policy and personal integrity, the contrast could not be clearer, and I hope undecided voters with a history of supporting candidates in both parties join me. https://t.co/BpMWe9Hx6u

[John Foley @2008Philz]

These home runs were both hit at 8:37 p.m. pacific time. 36 years apart.