Letters: A sobering welcome
My wife and I arrived at Philadelphia International Airport from Frankfurt, Germany, at 4 p.m. on Sept. 17, along with, it seemed, everyone else in the world. Long lines of U.S. and non-U.S. citizens extended down the respective halls of the passport control area. There were babies crying and people desperately requiring a bathroom. We were the lucky ones - it only took nearly 90 minutes to get through.
ISSUE | PHILA. AIRPORT
A sobering welcome
My wife and I arrived at Philadelphia International Airport from Frankfurt, Germany, at 4 p.m. on Sept. 17, along with, it seemed, everyone else in the world. Long lines of U.S. and non-U.S. citizens extended down the respective halls of the passport control area. There were babies crying and people desperately requiring a bathroom. We were the lucky ones - it only took nearly 90 minutes to get through.
There were not enough passport control agents; only about half their kiosks were occupied (How are those automated kiosks working, Transportation Security Administration? "Temporarily not in use."). We have never had to wait that long, even at Heathrow and Frankfurt Airports. The passport control agent was so frustrated that he told us to write to our senators.
Not enough personnel and inadequate facilities - this, after all, is Philadelphia.
Ron Martin, Landenberg