Apr 9, 2008 5:42 am US/Eastern
American Airlines Commuter Chaos Continues
Thousands Of Passengers Clear Security, Check Bags Before Fleet Of MD-80s Is Grounded
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
American Airlines expected to cancel more flights Wednesday - and perhaps beyond - as it tried for a second time to comply with federal rules about wiring on about 300 of its planes.
Airline officials say they don't know how many flights will be affected Wednesday. American operates a total of 240 flights a day from the New York City metro area's three major airports: LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty.
Tuesday night was frustrating for thousands of passengers after the largest carrier in the United States, abruptly canceled hundreds of flights.
The MD-80 accounts for about one-fifth of American's schedule nationwide. Of the nearly 500 flights American canceled on Tuesday, 34 came in and out of LaGuardia Airport. The plane, once a workhorse of the industry is now feeling its age.
One of the last MD-80s still in the air touched down at LaGuardia Airport just after sunset on Tuesday and was towed to the maintenance hangar.
The entire fleet of aging twin-engine gas guzzlers at American was pulled out of service. It was a move so sudden, some passengers already cleared security and had to go back to try and find their luggage.
"They let us check in about an hour and a half ago and the flight was canceled," said stranded passenger Lars Wahler.
When you cancel that many flights it backs up pretty quickly. Most of those folks at LaGuardia Tuesday night have just found out about it and many were on their cell phones trying to make other arrangements. Most were so upset they wanted no part of the media, but CBS 2 HD managed to get a few comments.
"I don't know why something so critical to safety they don't stay up with," passenger Pat Garey said. "They don't pay attention to it and it makes no sense to me."
The airline has fallen behind on required wiring checks in the wheel wells of the old planes and the Federal Aviation Administration, stung by last week's whistleblower testimony on Capitol Hill about lax inspections, is in no mood to let things slide. American says flight safety hasn't been compromised.
Thousands of passengers are either scrambling or giving up for the night.
"We've just come in from JFK, came over here by taxi and we might have to end up going back again," Ian Fernandez said.
Added passenger Rick Lefevre: "It looks pretty bad. I could go through St. Louis, but I wouldn't get into until about 6:50 in the morning, so what's the difference? I think I will (wait until Wednesday)."
American says it will put displaced passengers on other flights. Spokesman Tim Wagner says the airline is offering meals, lodging and ground transportation to affected travelers.
Check before you come to the airport. The inspections involve the wire bundles inside wheel-wells that could have been damaged by the movement of the landing gear. If damaged it would affect the backup hydraulic systems. Inspections should take only 10 or 20 minutes per plane, unless there is damage.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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