Laurels & lances: Airports, jobs, penguins and dogs

Laurel: To a high-flying honor. Pittsburgh International Airport has been named the seventh-best airport in the country, according to Travel & Leisure magazine, a publication that obviously knows a little something about arrivals and departures.

That’s a pretty nice ranking for an airport that isn’t a major hub. And hey, that’s before a new $1.1 billion landside terminal is built.

Lance: To yet another closing. Kennametal announced Thursday that it will close the Carbidie manufacturing plant in Hempfield. The closure is part of a restructuring that will see two manufacturing plants in Germany and a distribution center also shuttered over the next two years.

CEO Christopher Rossi said the move — which the toolmaker claims will save $35 million to $40 million — will “continue to drive value for shareholders.”

Plans are to consolidate operations in Arkansas. It’s all about simplification and modernization, the company says.

There’s nothing simpler than eliminating people’s jobs.

Laurel: To the circle of life. Pittsburgh does love its penguins. The kind with beaks and the kind without. This week saw the Pittsburgh Zoo announce the pitter-patter of little penguin feet with the hatching of a new chick.

But that wasn’t the only Penguin in the news. Matt Cullen announced his retirement Wednesday. Sad to see you go, No. 7, but it was great to watch you play.

Lance: To needing to state the obvious. Dogs don’t have thumbs. That means they can’t turn on the car, can’t roll down the windows, can’t get a breath of fresh air.

It’s simple enough to remember, but every year, people forget, sometimes with fatal or criminal consequences.

Don’t leave your dog in a car with the windows up. Better yet, don’t leave your dog in a car at all. If you have to leave a dog somewhere, think about its safety and leave it at home.