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December 29th, 2010
11:30 AM ET
Video: Stranded, snowy and steaming
CNN's Randi Kaye talks with passengers stuck on JFK's tarmac for 11 hours.
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Filed under: 360° Radar • Keeping Them Honest • Randi Kaye |
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The airlines are absolutely to blame. They make billions off of the public and continually bilk the consumer. I wish that I could have a business where I could sell more product than I actually have on hand and then just tell the customer, "oops, sorry. Did you read the fine print?" If every business was ran as incompetently, we would all be in real trouble. I am continually amazed that they are able to do this. They have made massive employment cuts, which contribute to our unemployment rate (how UN-american) under the guise of reducing prices to the consumer. Wrong, I havent seen any real decrease in ticket prices as a result. Hmm, that would be another great business model for all of us. Make the customer do everything, and don't answer any of his questions because no one is there. That would buy the CEO a beautiful home in Barbados and their own private jet to get there so that they wouldn't have to fly their own airlines. In every other industry, businesses have to make preparations for what mother nature gives us. Can you imagine having to pay for your groceries first, and then when they don't show up because a storm killed the crop, a farmer or grocer just telling you, "oops, sorry. Guess you'll just go hungry for awhile, we didn't make any allowances for that big storm.... If they were like the Airlines, then they wouldn't even tell you. You would have to read a sign on their door, because they would be off vacationing with all of your money. And yet over the years, how many times have we as taxpayers had to bail them out during tough times? I flew for many years, but now refuse to support such a broken, corrupt industry. I drive and enjoy the countryside. I will never fly commercial again and urge everyone else to also boycott such a corrupt industry where everyone BUT the corporate executives pay for mistakes made by the same people.
I saw the clip this evening about stranded passengers; the sentiment that nothing could be done. I disagree. Two things come to mind. First, the airlines could have waived not just re-booking fees, but cancellation charges. Perhaps some people would have taken this option. Second, one big problem I find is that airlines do not want to make an advance commitment in terms of time or cancellation. They want the passengers to "hang around" till the last minute. This way the risk is transferred to the passenger when it should be the business (airline) that bears the risk.
Lastly, I keep hearing that airlines are losing money to the tune of 150 million a day by flight cancellations. Would somebody explain explain how they are losing money if the passengers do not get a refund and are re-booked in a later flight where the seat would have gone empty.
I see incompetence of people running the business buried under safety regulations, weather problems, etc.
Regarding the recent fiasco at JFK airport, the airlines need to be held accountable. They should be required to have contingency plans in place that can be implemented when the weather prevents aircraft takeoffs and landings. Rather than keeping passengers on aircraft for extended periods of time, allow passengers to deplane into the terminal where they will have access to restrooms, restaurants, sundry stores and chairs. International carriers/flights should be proactive and not use, as an excuse, the fact that the airline passenger bill of rights does not apply to international flights.
D. Lawrence
Palos Verdes Estates, CA
The situation at the airports was extreme and that is because it was not just bad weather it was extremely bad weather. It was a "Blizzard" and it was all over the Eastern seaboard.
Why does there have to be an "answer" or why does someone have to be blamed for the results that followed. Can't the situation and the delays be accepted for exactly what they were, delays and cancellations due to extremely bad weather. Why and how do people think a better job could be done? It is what it is. If you travel in the Winter and are intelligent, then you know this is a possibility. Get over it.
For God's sake, one can't plan/prepare for acts of God. Realize the reality of the situation, and take responsibility for your own reality. I saw what the weather was doing, and knew what was going to be happening. I watched Bloomfield apologizing this noon and thought, "Why is he apolozing? He's not God?" Snow happens...
Us Air gave us updates via email and phone and while my Mom was delayed, we were able to sit at home fore a few hours rather then at the airport. The flight was Pittsburgh (litle snow) to Hartford (more snow). They did a good job. You need to talk about the carriers that did a good job./