DOT to Investigate Onboard Delays

[flyastrojets]

Here's a link to the AP article.

Not sure it matters, but the DOT Secretary has asked the Inspector General at DOT to investigate long onboard delays with a focus on B6 and AA.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Here's a link to the AP article.

Not sure it matters, but the DOT Secretary has asked the Inspector General at DOT to investigate long onboard delays with a focus on B6 and AA.

Well, on the streets it would be considered kidnapping. How long is one person expect to be on a plane that flying time is only 3 Hours? If a person who doesn't travel much that can be diabetic, knows that flying time is 3 hours, he takes something along in case there is a delay. Reasonable delay. Sitting in the plane after 3 hours of flying, and 10 hours of sitting, not letting passengers off. No Gates is not an excuse, a ramp worker can push out an idle plane at the gate. And I am sure there are airstairs somewhere in the airport. But AA is lucky that no one got seriously ill. 4 hours is too long, but I guess there has to be a line drawn somewhere to start.

 

[IORFA]

I say give the people what they want. CANCEL the flights. I don't want to be on the plane for anything longer than 2 hours on the ground. These people bellyaching about a passenger bill of rights, just need to be careful what they wish for. Airlines are trying to get people where they are going while trying to inconvenience the least amount of people. Start making them pay, and I can see the cancellations all over the place. If the government makes airlines pay, they also need to regulate the fares as well to cover the new regulations. Maybe the whiners can then actually pay what it costs to provide said transportation.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

I say give the people what they want. CANCEL the flights. I don't want to be on the plane for anything longer than 2 hours on the ground. These people bellyaching about a passenger bill of rights, just need to be careful what they wish for. Airlines are trying to get people where they are going while trying to inconvenience the least amount of people. Start making them pay, and I can see the cancellations all over the place. If the government makes airlines pay, they also need to regulate the fares as well to cover the new regulations. Maybe the whiners can then actually pay what it costs to provide said transportation.

You have a plane sitting on the tarmac waiting to unload, but no gates. Why can't the ramp personal move a plane at the gate out so one can unload. How hard is that? Even get some air stairs that passengers can deplane that way. The contact (Ticket) says from SFO to DFW, not sitting idle in AUS, although sitting there is understandable for a short time. Unload the passengers, is not that hard, and it was an MD80, There is the Rear Stairs that AA could have unloaded the passengers. Lets be real, 10 Hours is not acceptable. After time, I'd open the Over wing exit. Let see AA prosecute me. I don't want to be kidnapped. AA would attempt to press charges, but they would be shooting themselves down. But if the company puts out Customer Promise, I won't believe it as I would any Texas Politician! Both Full of Crap!

 

[IORFA]

If you knew anything about the airline industry, you might realize that either or both the pilots and F/A's could become illegal if the door opens and then you are stuck there. Which is better, spending the night or arriving where you want to go, late? You decide. I can here the uproar already. Now the current silent majority is pissed and the vocal ones now are turning quiet. Like I said, just cancel them and rebook everyone. Problem solved. No one stuck on a plane. Better yet, no one on a plane. Best of all. I am still at home warm and cozy, not being informed of what someone is entitled to after paying $199 to Europe. Like air travel is a god given right. HAHAHA

 

[BuffaloJoe]

If you knew anything about the airline industry, you might realize that either or both the pilots and F/A's could become illegal if the door opens and then you are stuck there. Which is better, spending the night or arriving where you want to go, late? You decide. I can here the uproar already. Now the current silent majority is pissed and the vocal ones now are turning quiet. Like I said, just cancel them and rebook everyone. Problem solved. No one stuck on a plane. Better yet, no one on a plane. Best of all. I am still at home warm and cozy, not being informed of what someone is entitled to after paying $199 to Europe. Like air travel is a god given right. HAHAHA

So its ALL about YOU, the passengers don't matter. Open that Door and Your off the clock. But why not be realistic, 10 hours is too long.

And what does it matter what a passenger pays? If AA does not want to sell them at the price, don't advertise or publish a fare. You would buy a gallon of Milk at $10 a Gallon, but b!tch at the person buying the SAME Gallon for $3.10. AA has to wake up, its not about AA. They could bus the passengers to DFW from AUS. But that makes the crew off the clock. Bummer.

 

[IORFA]

You are right, they could bus people to DFW. They would still complain. If you read my post, I said 2 hours was too long. It isn't all about me, it is all about not wanting to listen to people complain about what they are entitled to. Stuff happens. No airline does it on purpose. Why can't you understand that? Life is a bit$h sometimes. People just like to complain. As witnessed on here. The vocal minority is the one to get the squeaky wheel greased. They could always take the Greyhound. Oh wait, that might cost more!!! I have empathy for these situations, but mother nature struk hard this year. When we can control the weather, this will all be solved.

 

[MiAAmi]

They could bus the passengers to DFW from AUS. But that makes the crew off the clock. Bummer.

If you think that as a crew member we like to sit for hours with no food on board and toilets overflowing - you are wrong. I would much rather have the pax off the a/c inside a terminal where they can buy food, use restrooms and make alternative plans if need be. Believe me its no fun sitting for hours with a plane full of pax frustrated with the situation. Most flight attendant schedules at AA are scheduled to 12hr days. With delays those schedules get can be extended to 16hr days. I don't know many flight attendants who would prefer to be stuck on the tarmac with a plane full of pax any longer than necessary.

 

[IORFA]

AMEN, miaami. BuffaloJoe just likes to stir the pot by talking out his arse.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

You are right, they could bus people to DFW. They would still complain. If you read my post, I said 2 hours was too long. It isn't all about me, it is all about not wanting to listen to people complain about what they are entitled to. Stuff happens. No airline does it on purpose. Why can't you understand that? Life is a bit$h sometimes. People just like to complain. As witnessed on here. The vocal minority is the one to get the squeaky wheel greased. They could always take the Greyhound. Oh wait, that might cost more!!! I have empathy for these situations, but mother nature struk hard this year. When we can control the weather, this will all be solved.

If I remember correctly, the MD80 in question, couldn't go to the terminal to unload due to no gates available. The plane has been on the ground for a total of 10 hours, after 3 hours they should have been trying to get a gate. If an empty plane is occuping a gate, why can't ramp pushback that aircraft and let the plane come in and unload? Or couldn't the plane pull up behind the plane at the gate and let them out the rear stairs? You don't need air stairs for an MD80, if it was a 737 or 757 then that eliminates that option. Opening the rear stairs happens during alot of times, so it isn't like there is a slide to complicate things.

I also do not want the government to get involved, especially Dubya. He will screw it up upon disbelief, like everything else he does. But I also believe that the airlines should be held accountable for situations like this. I understand that the crews hands are tied and it comes down to the station managers to do some of their job. Also doesn't AUS have a toilet truck? If Not, just give a person rubber gloves and a raincoat and tell him to run once it opens.

 

[IORFA]

AA said the toilets WERE NOT overflowing. So, who knows what the exact truth is.

 

[eolesen]

I also believe that the airlines should be held accountable for situations like this.

They are -- if they screw up enough, people stop buying tickets from you.