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Monday, September 28, 2009

The column: Use common sense to avoid long tarmac delays
As Congress considers legislation to require airlines to provide basic creature comforts during long tarmac delays, Winging It attended an informal hearing in Washington last week organized by proponents of the regulations. What I found most interesting were the views of the executive director of the Lehigh Valley Airport in Allentown, and a retired CEO of American Airlines. Read what they had to say about this ongoing debate at this link.
Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 9:07 AM  Permalink | 1 comment
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:37 AM, 09/29/2009
    On Sunday, I boarded a USAir flight to PHX only to find the A/C not working. The blowing air was warm and the attendants kept the door open. Good thing because 40 minutes later, we were de-planed as an electrical problem could not be fixed. They found another plane for us and directed us to gate A18. About 1/2 the flight had connections to make in PHX and a long line at the counter formed. I called the USAir 800 number and was pleasantly surprised to find they had already booked me on another flight to my final destination; all I needed was to get a boarding pass printed. Many other passengers were also processed in a similar way; a few were put on different flights altogether. It wasn't pretty, but it wasn't the horror story of some of these long tarmac delays. What we neglect to show is when airlines do try to do the right thing; it was annoying to be 3-4 hours late, but considering they had to deal with a mechanical failure, I was glad to have made it to my destination the same day.
    — cadguy


1 comments
About Tom Belden
Tom Belden has been reporting about Philadelphia International Airport and other air travel subjects for more than 20 years, writing columns for The Inquirer's Travel and Business sections. His reporting (with colleague Craig McCoy) on baggage handling problems in Philadelphia have been credited with helping to improve the system. His previous blog was called Road Warrior. He can reached at tbelden@phillynews.com.
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