State of NY was trying to pass a passenger’s bill of rights, The airlines went to court and the judge ruled in the favor of the airlines saying only the federal government has the right to institute any bills. Hopefully they will let us figure it out ourselves. It’s not like we can control mother nature. It’s not like we enjoy having the pax sit on the runway because there isn’t a gate open because as that plane landed they shut the airport and no planes left. I’m sure the flight attendants just enjoy the lively conversation on the plane sitting on the runway! Explaining that they have already guzzled all the drinks eaten all the snacks, and sorry we are just fresh out because this was a one hour flight. When you fly in the winter you have to expect delays. The airlines don’t like to be delayed anymore than the pax does, and usually the flight crew has some place to be too!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah!  There is also that fresh air thing that onl pax like.

Oh thank goodness this didn’t go through.. You’re funny Aunt J!!  Being a flight attendant, I know that when we’re stuck on the ground that the conversation isn’t the fun which-restaurant-do-you-suggest-to-go-to… what are the airlines to do when an aircraft might’ve already taken over the gate they were at, the departing aircraft is on the runway when a snow storm hits and ATC says they can’t leave yet, the airport can’t get airstairs out to the aircraft, nor can the provisioning truck or waste disposal can’t get to the aircraft.. I understand that it’s hard to be on an aircraft that long.. I was stuck on an incoming aircraft that was at the gate in LAX when a security breach happened, and I was a pax, not working it, so it’s really uncomfortable, and the air does get stale (but on that flight, I got up and helped the flight attendants serve peanuts and water).  But in a situation that they had in JFK, and the snow was so bad, if the doors were opened, wouldn’t it have been too cold outside?.. oh well.. just my 2 cents worth.. lol

As much as I hate government regulation, I’m sorry this didn’t go thru. 

Yea, it’s nice to think that the airlines will handle situations correctly, but they don’t!  I’ve been a victim of this here in Phoenix!  (I’ll write a blog about it.) The airlines didn’t handle it so the state had to step in. 

Again, I hate government regulation, but the airlines have continually not had plans in place to handle long delay situations, so I wish congress and Bush would push for a national ‘passenger’s rights’ bill.

Airlines want regulation all the time when they benefit.......now they don’t like this law to keep them honest.........the passengers lose again.

Well, I guess if there is a hint of bad weather any where in the country, the airlines could just say well maybe we should wait for a sunny day to fly, that way we will leave on time and get there on time with out any bumps along the way.  And you can all call me up and complain to me about that too!!  It is a no win situation.  I know that when a city has been weather advised, SW announces in the gate that there could be delays and diversions on the flight due to really bad weather.  The pax has the option to change his reservation at that point without paying.  If they choose to go then they need to put up with the weather.  What else to you want the airline to do for you? Let’s say we’re at your place of business, and the power goes out, and I asked you to please get me something let’s say that was on your computor (not laptop) and you tell me the weather knocked the electricity out, I just need to sit there and wait till it comes on, so what your saying is that you will reimpurse me for my time.  No difference. I do take offense in hearing the pax looses again, because truely the airlines cannot prevent weather, are not god and cannot foresee the future.  Even the weather channel guys are wrong half the time.  You take out your frustations on the airline and its employees, when they are just as frustrated with the delays.  But what the hay, they have money trees growing all over, I’m sure they can keep fares low, pay higher fuel, plus fork out compensation for weather beyond their control.
Off soap box now.

You go Aunt J!!!  LOL that’s what I love about this board.. we all have our own opinions… we have both sides of the coin here.. we get to see everyones side…

ya...wow aunt J. way to put it in perspective! sounds like u got it all down pat...or at least out ur system. but liked hearing it none the less.

Rock ON Aunt J!!!  I’m so tired about how passengers don’t get their way....waawaaa!!!  Shut up and figure it out yourself.  Hello, Chicago/New York/Maine...etc.  They have weather!!!  Just cuz you live in a sunny location doesn’t mean you’re traveling to one.  By the way, airlines are businesses.....not a SPA.  You want pampering call a Salon!  Passengers!  If they know so darn much about travel...then speak up and tell the airlines/state/government how to fix the weather.  I doubt anyone has a clue.....oh wait....yes that would be God and he travels his own way.  There is no way to predict, change or manipulate weather to make the passengers understand or make them happy.  This is an arguement that will NEVER die.  And shame on NY.....the FAA (government) controls whether a plane takes off or not....not the airline!  Holy Cow get a clue!!!!

Airlines have stuck people on planes right outside the terminals and left the passengers stuck on the plane forever. I’ve been one of those people on an America West plane in Phoenix!  With all sorts of gates, the airline couldn’t get us off the plane for 3 hours after landing in Phoenix and after being delayed out of Las Vegas for hours before that.  The airline had PLENTY of time to PLAN if they would have.

If the weather’s that bad the airline shouldn’t even board the plane.  Or if the airline is so set on putting people on the plane, push it back from the jetway, to hold for hours on the tarmac before taking off, then the airlines should be prepared for that. 

A bill similar to the one struck down in New York is currently being proposed in the United States congress.  I hope it passes.  Again, as much as I hate the government jumping in, if airline management can’t use common sense than passengers need legislation.

I think your response is pretty funny Phx Husker, no offense.  I just believe there are reason’s for everything.  Do you know why you waited on either end of your flights?  Or was it just ‘rumor’ from other angry passengers?  Also, give me an example of how any bill will fix the issue with weather delays?  So the government imposses (is that a word?)a law to compensate passengers for weather delays, which they have no control over, the airline then turns around and charges more for amenities and fares, so passengers whine more.  It will be never ending.  I’m not trying to be a butthead, but really situations are not all passengers or all airlines faults.  There is no ‘generic’ solution.  Nor do I believe an airline would just ‘leave’ passengers on a plane without a reason.  Airlines don’t control an airplane until it’s on it’s alley way....the major runways and transfer points are controlled by the FAA.  Who knows what happened to your flight, but I would bet my last buck it wasn’t on purpose.

Maybe we should make more consumer bill of rights.......I’m going to start one against Basha’s and Target.  Next time I have to wait for more then 10mins to be checked out I’m calling Congress!  (like on Superbowl Sunday 40mins for 15 items....yikes!) Or the next time they say they have something on sale....THEY BETTER OR ELSE.

Great point Gigi, what would the bill of rights really do?  Will it stop delays? Sitting on the plane extended time.  Since the airlines want their planes in the air where they make money, just sitting around is not in their favor.  So once the airline is sent out of the gate and in control of the tower, till it pulls into the next city and off the runway, the FAA has control of the flight? and consquently the delays?  So does that mean it congress institutes a pax bill of rights that would be against themselves (FAA) and they get to pay the fines? and compensation?  Congress needs to understand 1st why these delays happen, then try to see what can be done to prevent the delays (like give the FAA the zp tax that was suppose to upgrade their system, instead of the welfare system).  At $3.50 a landing the FAA would be able to overhaul their system which seems to me to be the root of the delays not the airlines.  Now I will say mechianical delays are the airlines fault, but thank god they found it on the ground and not in the air.  I could be wrong about all this, but without a solution to the problem, congress and pax can complain all they want, nothing will change.  My dad used to say inless you can offer an alternative or solution to a problem you should keep quiet or else your just bitching.

Aunt J - 02 April 2008 10:37 AM

My dad used to say inless you can offer an alternative or solution to a problem you should keep quiet or else your just bitching.

Aunt J, I agree with your dad.  I think the New Yorkers did have a plan that was better and the airlines went to court to stop it.  And I agree that it is sad that the government has to get involved, but it had to since the airlines fail to plan.  Granted, they can’t be ready for every stiuation but the can have some basic things arranged which is what this bill did.

As far someone else’s post comparing sitting on a plane to waiting in line at Target is comparing apples an oranges.  As a Target customer you can walk out and leave to go use a bathroom, get a drink, etc.  When you’re stuck on a plane for hours in unsatitary conditions, that’s a different story.

I’ll have a blog entry ready soon to share a situation that happened to me.  And remember, I’ve been both and airline employee and passenger so I do understand both sides.

I have to add to this, just so many of you can understand a little more:  Airline issues are not always what hold up planes, there is always some reason for a change....no matter what:  today USAirways had a medical emergency during our peak time 9am - 1030am.  Due to the nature of the emergency FAA tower held 7 planes on the tarmac and cross alley to allow the USAir flight to have a straight shot to the first avail. gate.  Unfortunately, even with this help we heard the passenger had fallen into a coma and might not make it.  So seriously folks, I’m sorry 7 planes with approx. 900 pax were inconvenienced.  Not all were USAirways, sorry Southwest and Alaska.  And sorry to the 134 pax on the A side that had a last min. gate change to A29 to give the med. emg. airplane their gate.  Also, due to this, sorry about the other aircraft that had to be moved that was coming into A29 and had to wait 14mins. till A29 folks got out of the way........snowball effect.  Sorry but STUFF happens!

So just think about it once in awhile.  There are situations that require holding planes, moving gates, etc.  Airlines just don’t ‘hold’ or ‘change gates’ cuz it feels good.  Think about it!

Gigi, I love reading your posts, so clear and logical!!!!! Miss reading them when you missing for a week.

So you mean airlines are just not playing musical gates just for giggles to see how confused we can make the pax?  It does get me that people actually feel we are out to target them sepeciacally like they are more then a blip on the radar in the grand scheme of things.  And then my favorite, the pax who calls and says they are running late, but should be there shortly would we call the airport and let them know that they will be there to just hold the flight for them?  Sure no problem, we would be happy to disrupt 136 other people for just you sir.

Please take a minute and go read my most recent blog entry.  Then you’ll see why I get so frustrated with airlines when they keep people stuck on planes.  In my situation, we had landed and AWA couldn’t get us off the aircraft for over 3 hours and this was after a loooooong delay from the departure city.

Just read your blog Phoenix Husker and as an America West employee I’m sorry for the situation you suffered.  Even as an employee, I travl a great deal and have been sent to a ‘holding area’ as well.  However you never mentioned if all the gates were already full when you arrived.  Nor did you say there was any lightning, which there usually is when PHX has terrible weather.  I’m not blaming the weather, but most of what you described is exactly what started it.  If there is 30 gates and planes are in them, where do we park your plane????  Southwest doesn’t have as many gates and a little under half the amount of planes AWA has.  Or the type of equip. that was authorized to fly in that weather with that amount of gas.....takes more in weather.  Also, have you ever moved a plane back and forth?  It’s not an easy job, you can’t just push back and pull forward.  Beside where would we put it.....jam up all the alley’s, taxi ways and tarmac driving around?  Now we’ve just upset and inconvenienced 10 times the amount of people.  And if there was lightning....planes are big metal lightning rods.  I know if I was a ramper I’d protest.  No amount of money would make me work next to a big metal lightning rod with gas (bomb) on it that could blow the entire concourse apart.  I do empathize with you and I feel your frustration....believe me I’ve been there, a tornado in Cedar Rapids, where they left us on the plane for 2hrs...while the tornado came whipping by....thought it was stupid at the time, but I’m glad we did, it took out a 1/4 of the terminal...and 2 planes.  I’m sorry that you still feel such displeasure with America West.  I hope some day you’ll try and look at it in a diff. way.  And believe it or not, what you describe happens to EVERY airline.  It is a plan: get planes in and out as fast as you can, ususally in cronilogical order, keep the people safe (lightning/bomb), keep the skies safe (not too many planes in the air) and keep the employees safe (no lightning strikes).

Also, one more thing.....Target/Basha’s (in my opinion) is NOT apples and oranges.  The point I was trying to make is that if you give people; who do not work the job or have any idea how a business runs the power to make rules how to run it, you’ll have chaos.  Just cuz I stood in line for almost an hour DOESN’T give me the right to decide how everyone else should be treated.  Don’t forget our society is ‘all about me’.....what one person thinks is important might not be to someone else!  Take a look at the last round of ‘Passenger Bill of Rights’.....it took years and the powers that be STILL argue about it.  Not to mention the additiional expense the airlines then passed on the consumers.......but I guess you’ll never please everyone all the time.