Apr 10, 2008 11:51 pm US/Eastern
American Cancels Another 570 Flights For Friday
Passengers Running Out Of Patience At LaGuardia
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Misery loves company.
For the third straight day Thursday thousands of American Airlines passengers are stranded.
And it could be just the beginning. CBS 2 HD has learned the beleaguered airline has canceled another 570 flights on Friday, pushing the total number of shelved flights to close to 3,000 since this ordeal started three days ago.
CBS 2 HD spent Thursday at LaGuardia Airport with more frustrated flyers.
Tired of the turbulence with American Airlines, passengers woke up Thursday to learn that another 900 flights would never see the skies.
"I don't know who to trust. I don't know who to believe. I don't know if it's the government causing something that's unnecessary, or the airlines not doing their job," delayed traveler Steve Cap said.
As the airline continued to fix a faulty wiring problem that grounded its fleet of MD-80s, lines were light thanks to the word getting out. Still, some spent the entire day at the airport.
As of Thursday afternoon, 132 MD-80 aircraft were returned to service. Inspections will continue overnight, with approximately 170 MD-80s expected to be available for service on Friday morning, but that doesn't mean much to those struggling at LaGuardia.
Stephanie Dougherty of Chicago is stranded at LaGuardia, but she refuses to sleep in the terminal. She found a hotel room and she's paying for it.
"I'm on my own dime. It's an extra $450 for a hotel," Dougherty said.
American Airlines CEO Gerard Arpley went public Thursday with an apology.
"It's my fault. I run the company so if there's any blame to be had it's my fault so I take full responsibility for this," Arpley said.
Anger directed at airlines is misplaced according to Sen. Charles Schumer.
"The blame lies squarely at the feet of the FAA," Schumer said.
Schumer said the Federal Aviation Administration's aggressive inspections of wiring in the wheel wells of MD-80 planes is too late, too haphazard and needlessly plunged America's aviation system and even the economy into chaos.
"You can be tough and smart," Schumer said. "You can tell American we are going to inspect this plane at this airport at this time. Make sure you have a back up."
Airline analysts say Industry wide the ripple effect from all this could impact travelers through July.
Getting anywhere on American has been a challenge because heading into Friday more than 2,400 flights have been cancelled, taking more than 20,000 seats out of service.
"I'm mad. I am, I'm mad," another traveler said.
The scarcity of seats means Texas twins CBS 2 HD spoke to may not get back in time for another sister's wedding.
"I'm just praying about it," Lisa Joseph said. "It's going to take a miracle."
While some prayed for a miracle, others kept the plane problem in perspective.
"You know, as long as it's a safe flight when we get up there, I can't really complain," passenger Nicole Brown said.
CBS 2 HD's Dave Carlin contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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