[IcansPotaFake32]

This weekend was my second trip to Florida in the past two months. Where I went was great but getting there and back was the issue. I leave out of Newark which is also a problem. Does anyone know about 5-6 years ago when many of the airlines were having those strikes? Flights were being canceled and delayed left and right and it was horrible. I feel that the situation then is similar to the situation now. I think we're kept on the runway even though they know a flight is leaving late just so that we don't all sit around the terminal and complain and get everyone else angry.
I'm just so frustrated and I wonder about the airline industry in the next 5 years? What's going to happen? They are already canceling many of the short direct flights. Flight prices have gotten to be ridiculous. Does anyone else get the feeling that we're going to have fewer options to choose from until something drastic happens (cheaper planes)? They charge us for extra bags, FOOD, head sets...we get it...gas is expensive! But I'm sick of paying for additional things on my already expensive flight!

[LadyLinda]

I'm pretty sure we're going to see some carriers going into bankruptcy, and a slew of mergers and buyouts as airlines downsize. In the US, anyway, there will be fewer flights as airlines seek to maximize passenger counts per flight, and more cut-backs in onboard services. Also, as airlines consolidate and pull out of smaller markets, there will be fewer options in carriers for smaller cities and airports. In big cities, more domestic airlines will opt for regional jet service (smaller, more fuel efficient planes) over full-size jets. That will mean less comfy seating and smaller luggage allowances. More gate-sharing at airports so they can cut costs for servicing planes on the ground, that sort of thing. There will be significant changes in domestic air travel over the next few years if fuel prices stay high--which I believe they will. International air travel probably won't change all that much, except for some flight consolidation.

[FebbysBigSis]

As a VERY frequent traveller to/from LGA (NY) and PHL, I will tell you that the airlines most CERTAINLY know when flights are delayed prior to taking off.
I have stuck in planes off the runway MANY TIMES, just to have the pilots give us the song and dance that they didn't know UNTIL they taxied off the gate! (YEAH RIGHT)!
Luckily, I am fairly young to deal with sitting for longer periods in cramp situations in planes, but I truly feel for the ones who needs their leg to move or else they get severe cramping.
The airlines never tell you that we will be sitting in the planes off the runway in fears of backlash, flight change requests, etc.- They can't be bothered!

And summertime is the WORST! (esp the holidays)!
One time I flew out of PHL the day before 4th of July, and everything seemed smooth until we taxied out of gate and then was told that we were 51st in line to take-off!!
We were told that it would take about 2 hours before we be "reach the skies"! It took us over 2 hours before we actually did; Luckily again, it was Toronto (just over an hour flight from Philly).
However, I had another from NYC even a few years earlier than that where I was flying to LAX, and we stayed inside the plane for over 3 hours before we even took off the runway! Again, no announcements that we would be stuck inside a plane this long!
I can go on and on with the stories!
The 2 I've mentioned are my most extreme cases, but then again, I've been through while being stuck inside the plane off the runway, that my flight might be cancelled if we don't reach LGA's curfew rule (landing by 12 midnight), etc... etc... etc...

I could go on and on... (and to a certain extent, I have)!
And let me not start getting into my LAST flight experience where I got my flight cancelled TWICE on 2 separate days (I rescheduled that flight was cancelled)... just to be left on stand-by ALL DAY!!

TRULY THE STORIES I CAN SHARE WITH YOU!

Anyhow, yes, the airlines DO KNOW all the delays, but they are literally programmed to lie and not disclose the truth about them to the consumers who pay for their "services"!

[redney]

Over the past several years, the number of daily airline flights each carrier provides has increased dramatically so I think we cannot place "blame" (if you will) on only the carriers for delays. Local air traffic control, following FAA regulations, has to manage to this great increase in ground and air traffic. Compounding this, of course, are delays related to weather and mechanical issues.

As some of the carriers consolidate and reevaluate routes (especially now with huge increases in fuel costs and perhaps a decrease in passengers due to the tightening economy), I believe we will continue to see cuts in service. This may also help improve the traffic situation, leading to improvements with regard to delays, etc. But it may take a year or 2 to see it.

I'm a frequent traveler have encountered the frustrations. I deal by having the lowest expectations of service and timliness. By proactively preparing for disappointment, if it happens, I don't get my panties in a knot; if things go smoothly, then it's a pleasant surprise.

I have had much better experience with non-US carriers outside of the United States, however.

[FebbysBigSis]

Originally Posted by redney

I'm a frequent traveler have encountered the frustrations. I deal by having the lowest expectations of service and timliness. By proactively preparing for disappointment, if it happens, I don't get my panties in a knot; if things go smoothly, then it's a pleasant surprise.

I have had much better experience with non-US carriers outside of the United States, however.

I couldn't agree with you any better!!
At this point, I expect the worst and hope for any better, but is this what it comes down to now?
I feel for the travellers who don't fly as much, have little children to worry about, and aren't use to these situations.

I believe that International (overseas) carriers are far superior, especially the Asian carriers- from my experience.
I look foward to the time I will get to fly in International carriers again.

[LadyLinda]

Originally Posted by redney

Over the past several years, the number of daily airline flights each carrier provides has increased dramatically so I think we cannot place "blame" (if you will) on only the carriers for delays. Local air traffic control, following FAA regulations, has to manage to this great increase in ground and air traffic. Compounding this, of course, are delays related to weather and mechanical issues.

Yes, air traffic control issues are definitely a problem, particularly on the US east coast, where several cities in the Mid-Atlantic/Northest corridor overlap airspace.

Another thing many air travelers may not know, or consider, is that when some politicians (President, VP, Senators) or diplomats/foreign leaders fly, air traffic is either grounded or redirected to other airspace until these individuals' flights have either landed or cleared and their motorcades have left the airport. I've on several occasions been forced to wait, circling over Allentown, for an hour until the President or some other politico got out of the Philadelphia area. These flights are also unannounced, giving the airlines no chance to schedule around them.

[boxermom]

Originally Posted by LadyLinda

Yes, air traffic control issues are definitely a problem, particularly on the US east coast, where several cities in the Mid-Atlantic/Northest corridor overlap airspace.

Another thing many air travelers may not know, or consider, is that when some politicians (President, VP, Senators) or diplomats/foreign leaders fly, air traffic is either grounded or redirected to other airspace until these individuals' flights have either landed or cleared and their motorcades have left the airport. I've on several occasions been forced to wait, circling over Allentown, for an hour until the President or some other politico got out of the Philadelphia area. These flights are also unannounced, giving the airlines no chance to schedule around them.

I read that Pres. Bush's recent visit to London caused 20,000 passengers either flight delays or cancellations because he chose to use Heathrow rather than a military airport. He wasn't there 48 hrs but inconvenienced all those people when he could easily have used a different field to land on.

The airline industry has become a joke. It's an ordeal now and I assume things will go wrong and I also assume strangers will paw through my bag and I'll be lucky if nothing is stolen or damaged. We have no rights anymore.

[redney]

Originally Posted by boxermom

I read that Pres. Bush's recent visit to London caused 20,000 passengers either flight delays or cancellations because he chose to use Heathrow rather than a military airport. He wasn't there 48 hrs but inconvenienced all those people when he could easily have used a different field to land on.

this is absolutely true. I was in London already, awaiting a co-worker's arrival from a UK domestic flight into Heathrow and it was cancelled outright due to Bush's incoming flight into Heathrow. How frustrating!!!

[surferchick2]

I fly between NY and LA alot. The later flights from JFK always have extra time built in since the airlines expect to sit on the runway due to the increased traffic. There are just too many flights trying to take off close to each other. The flights are slotted in order and although there always time delay, there have been times when the pilots really don't know when they will beable to take off until their given their slot after push back. They don't wanted to be stuck in their cramped cockpit longer than they need to be either. There can be 45 planes ahead of the flight on the taxi way, and if they don't pull out at the time they're supposed to, it could be even more. If weather is happening, even if it's not directly over the airport but on a route that several airlines my take that are ahead of your flight, that increases the taxi time. If there are several stuck behind a 747 in the alley way and you're scheduled after them but are able to cut because they can't move, then it could be less. Unfortunately, it can't be avoided most of the time, since leaving the gate later doesn't mean they can just cut in front of everyone else tha has taken their place in line. Air Traffic Control tells the crew what they have to do and when their approximate wheels-up time is, if all goes as planned and confirm it once they've left the gate. Until then, it's a fairly accurate. This has been a bigger problem since deregulation, when the govt regulated the number of flights allowed per given time, but that has changed and there are simply too many. With the fuel prices and more delays, most of the planes are cutting back 10-15% on an average, and LGA is cutting like 50% in some areas. Also, increased closing of airports, bases and airlines not making it despite packed flights, will loosen up the traffic, but it also mean less options. Tickets have been the lowest they've been since the 80's (some literally some based on today's prices) and have just now started increasing them since there's no choice. Although it's a bad scene for the industry right now even though more people are flying than ever, but this may help dependability.