FAA: NYC Is "Sore Point" For Flight Delays

75% Of Delays Involve N.Y. Airports, Official Says; Military To Clear Airspace For Commercial Flights

(CBS/AP)  Ahead of the holiday travel crunch, President Bush ordered steps Thursday to reduce air traffic congestion and long delays that have left passengers stranded.

Attention would be paid especially to New York City airports, because three quarters of all flight delays involve airports in and around the Big Apple, reports CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer.

“New York is the sore point of all of it,” said Transportation Secretary Mary Peters in a news briefing. "If we can solve it there we can solve it anywhere."

The most significant change is that the Pentagon will open unused military airspace from Florida to Maine to create “a Thanksgiving express lane” for commercial airliners.

These military air lanes are normally used for exercises, reports Maer. During the holidays, two lanes will be opened for commercial flights at altitudes above 24,000 feet. Military aircraft will still be able to fly at lower levels, and the military can, of course, cancel the entire agreement in the case of an emergency.

The lanes will first open next week for five days -- Wednesday through Sunday -- for the busiest days of Thanksgiving travel.

But some analysts say the president’s proposals are only short-term solutions to a growing crisis, reports CBS News national correspondent Byron Pitts.

“I’m not sure if it was a bold measure, it was a measure," said airline analyst Peter Gultz. “The real issue is there's got to be a fundamental commitment to redesign the airspace so that we are using the latest technology to move planes from point A to point B."

Bush said the problems with delayed flights are “clear to anybody who's been traveling. Airports are very crowded. Travelers are being stranded and flights are delayed, sometimes with a full load of passengers sitting on the runway for hours.

“These failures carry some real costs for the country, not just in the inconvenience they cause but in the business they obstruct and the family gatherings they cause people to miss,' the president said. “We can do better.”

The new plan also will be in effect for the Christmas travel season, and White House press secretary Dana Perino said the Federal Aviation Administration was imposing a holiday moratorium on nonessential maintenance projects, allowing all FAA personnel and equipment to be focused on keeping flights on time.

Further, the Department of Transportation will propose doubling the bump fee that airlines must pay to travelers who buy tickets but wind up without a seat. The penalty now is $200 or $400, depending on long the passenger has been inconvenienced. The proposed increase would make the fee $400 to $800. Perino said that rule, if it becomes final, wouldn't be in place until next summer's travel season.

Another proposed rule would deem the operation of a chronically delayed flight - defined as a flight that operates more than 15 minutes late more than 70 percent of the time - to be an “unfair and deceptive practice.” That designation carries with it substantial monetary penalties.

The administration is also working on new rules concerning extended tarmac delays, reports Maer. It wants to require airlines to have available enough food, water, lavatory facilities and medical attention should the need arise during long delays.

Further, officials said the FAA would take other steps to increase efficiency such as rerouting airspace, using technology to fill unused space in the air and on the ground, and using more precise routes for takeoffs and landings.

The president said other steps were under consideration to reduce crowded skies, such as charging airlines higher landing and takeoff fees at peak hours, and auctioning off landing and takeoff rights to the highest bidder.

Domestic carriers are expected to fly roughly 27 million passengers worldwide over 12 days beginning Nov. 16, with planes about 90 percent full, according to the Air Transport Association.

Several airline executives, testifying before the House Transportation Committee Thursday on holiday travel prospects, said they were preparing to care for passengers in the event of weather or air traffic control-related delays.

Jetblue Airways CEO Dave Barger acknowledged that “we let our customers down” last February when hundreds of passengers were stranded on parked JetBlue planes for up to 10 1/2 hours. “In fact, to be candid, we failed them.”

He said that with added deicing equipment and crew and expanded customer service personnel, “JetBlue is ready for the holidays.”

But Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., said there was “some very bad news for people who think there is going to be a quick cure to congestion.” He said that even if everything went smoothly, implementation of the next-generation air traffic control system that should reduce disruptions was at least 15 years off.

Bush, on Sept. 27, announced that his administration was looking at ways to reduce air traffic congestion. The president urged Congress to look at legislation to modernize the FAA, and instructed Peters to report back to him quickly about ways to ensure that air passengers are treated appropriately and progress is made to ease congestion.

Peters said at the time she was asking airlines to meet to formulate a plan to improve scheduling at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, one of the nation's busiest. If no solution is found, she said, the department is prepared to issue a scheduling reduction order.

[forthepeopl1]

The Democratic bill lacks one key feature President Bush is insisting on: legal immunity for telecommunications companies alleged to have secretly helped the government monitor Americans'' phone calls and e-mails without court permission. About 40 civil lawsuits have been filed against telecom companies, alleging they broke wiretapping and privacy laws, and the White House has threatened to veto any surveillance bill that does not protect the companies. The White House contends lawsuits could bankrupt the companies and reveal classified information

[jowand]

All of this political posturing will cease when we have one more 911 type disaster. All of the politicians will then be running around playing 007 on security, demanding we root out the terrorist in our society.

[marcodele]

More administration by hindsight. Bushie, you''re doing a heckuva job.

[creeper00]

"The administration is expected to propose more than tripling the compensation airlines are required to pay to passengers who are involuntarily bumped from overbooked flights."

I wonder if they''ll triple compensation for passengers bumped from flights because they''re on the "no fly" list by mistake.

I smell smoke screen.

[clestes-2009]

Anyone want to guess at how successful shrub is going to be??

If he does manage it, it will be the first positive thing his admin has accomplished in 7 years.

[charliemo4]

Sept. 2007 began with the FAA ending an impasse in the Air Traffic Controller negotiations by imposing a contract with new work rules, including staffing cuts and a dress code, and a 30 percent cut in the pay of starting controllers. The agency tossed out staffing levels negotiated in the 1998 contract, and targeted all 314 control facilities for staff cuts, ranging from 9 percent to 26 percent.
Do you think some of the delays and other problems may be related to the administrations handling of controller pay and work issues?????

[red1530]

We could reduce the need for air travel if we were to improve our rail network.

[oscarez]

Why does Bush care about OUR flight delays. He has his own airline paid for by the taxpayers. If he would stay in Washington and do his job, air traffic control would not have to deal with the 35 mile flight restrictions around the airports he flies into.

[fstop100]

I feel so much safer now that George is in charge.

[prinzowhales]

Jail to the Chief! Where is the $2 trillion-plus missing from the Pentagon accounts that was announced missing by Dov Zakheim--the Israel-first comptroller--on September 10, 2001?

You can cut delays at airports by not scheduling so many flights at the same time! The airlines like to use the hospital radiology department model of scheduling--everybody is scheduled for 0830 and almost everyone sits all day waiting...uncomfortably, because more than likely they''ve been told to not eat anything after midnight.

They want to overbook and overschedule at popular times and then blame the FAA on delays.

[anonbene]

Bush is going to handle it? Oh now I feel so much better. I think he will sub it out to Halliburton who will then conveniently lose the money in some offshore account.
What makes anyone think Bush can "improve" anything?
What do you base your conclusion on? His past record? I think we''ll go by car this year. Oh wait we can''t afford to do that either. Good job Brownie, oh wait, I mean good job there Bushie.

[vet_sk]

Scary having this Administration touch anything. They are a total disaster. Just don''t touch anything, George, especially an airplane.

I did see George went on vacation for Veteran''s Day though to Texas at our Expense. How sweet; leaving veterans day to draft deferrer-deferrer-deferrer Cheney. How can 30% of the people still support this Administration?

Conder the war where General Shenseki resigned before the way not just because it was illegal but the Administration would not follow the Iraq war plan - calling for 320k - 700k troops. As much as I opposed the war from the beginning and then had to go and fight it, it would have still been so much better to go in with the troops we needed, stabilzed the country, made it a shining star of the middle east, (put out oil companies in charge) and then get out.

[shanev137]

Right...this means air travel is now going to get worse.

[seven_pesos]

thanks, bush!

c.b.s. news item...35.5 million people having hard time to feed their children in the united states.

thanks, bush...

thanks, bush lovers...

they still love bush in the -----

thanks

[seven_pesos]

remember, folks.

remember who elected bush.

christians and red state republicans.

bad for america.

[bareemperor]

Speaking of airlines....

Google: ''Krongard short CIA''

Seems the Krongard brothers go back to Iran Contra, are implicated in planning and profiting from 9/11 and now run Halliburton...

What an interesting read.

[killtheliars]

Oh yes, God forbid the airlines loose profits. NASA withheld findings of a study about how unsafe the American airports and carriers really are because the quote unquote were afraid it would hurt airline profits. I personally would like to see most of them go out of business, especially US Airways, they suck.

[jetranger7]

Ohhhh-Boyyyy, this ought to be good, I can hardly wait, till the next big event happens, lets see, airline kept passengers on Tarmac for 18 straight hours in the cold, or flight rerouted from houston to CHINA, to pick up 1 small box of tainted toys to bring to America, while passengers endure long flight to CHINA and wait 14 hours for the box to arrive to be loaded,, or better yet, Air Traffic Controllers Jobs to be reduced to trim budget costs, White House says, lay offs expected !! Ohhh This ought to be good ! Lets have it Georgey Boy, tell us your great plan, hope its NOT like the IRAQ plans you kept telling us about, because it Sucked !

[jamesq3]

If the FAA would curb corporate jet travel at the major airports, which now account for over 25% of the air traffic, we would not have a congestion problem.

[terrapin78]

Hey Dumbya--
Just don''t do it!!!

Keep your stupid hands off of everything. Anything you touch is totally FUBARED.

[terrapin78]

"The president will urge Congress to pass an FAA modernization bill. "

With these idiots in the WH, they''ll require wings to be covered in a canvas material and have open air seats and cockpit. (The WH porposals always take us backwards!!!!)

[seven_pesos]

watch out folks!

if those christians and republicans get their way

they''ll elect another creep just like bush.

christians and republicans...bad for america!

[jetranger7]

Hey EVERYBODY-CBS NEWS REPORT say Dinosaur discovered with a Vacuum like mouth,,WOW, wonder what the chance are of getting that Dinosaur sent to Washington DC to suck all the idiot Politicians out of there, Now that would be sum Tasty meal for a Dinosaur, all those Politicians ! Sounds great to me, let the Dinosaurs Roam !

[atc18]

We had 80 air traffic controllers in my area, now we are down to 30. We don''t have the staffing to staff all the positions, therefore can''t handle the traffic. Last year Bush froze our retirement which in turn angered us all and caused a mass exit. It is extreamly scummy to pull us all out of college 25 years ago and then in the 11th hour freeze our retirement and cut our pay.

[rochest]

all right George try and fix the Air Travel problem but do not I repeat do not think about health care for children and the poor or fixing the mess in Iraq by getting out or even think about the Veterans administration health care debacle or fixing health care for the veterans or addressing this suicide epidemic of the veterans or the homelessness of the veterans or what about the health and education bill that was needed by the country? yes take care of feel-good items while the real items that are necessary for the everyday running of this country are ignored. Go Bush you truly are the hero of the common man! (heavy sarcasm)

[atc18]

Not one word about controllers leaving, quiting, retiring because of his work rule changes, and pay cuts for the controllers

[drinuk]

Hey Jet Ranger ! Correction, they are not idiot Politicians, the nerve !

They are corrupt stinking b a s t a r d politicians.
How dare you denigrate them as being idiots.

[micma-2009]

Look out! When Bush tries to fix things, he destroys them and all his friends make money.

[deemsnyd]

seven whatever,

Tell me again how Christians are to blame for the problem in this article?? Give me a break. I won''t even post my opinion on the ACTUAL article, no one elses opinion would matter to someone who finds Christians the reason for all the nations problems. Are you serious?? Sounds like you''re an intolerant biggot to me. Oops. Let me apologize in advance for daring to have a different opinion. I''m trying to learn to be more tolerant like you. This actually is too funny--takes Christian bashing to a whole new level.

[hillaryin08]

Dont trick me! Why is everyone trying to trick me?

Stop tricking me I''m hillary!!!!!

[antoniof123]

He is going to fix it on my God another mess about to be made.

[micma-2009]

Good news! Bush is going to give Halliburton a multi-billion dollar n-bid contract to fix our air travel system.

[mcvet]

Dont trick me! Why is everyone trying to trick me?

Stop tricking me I''''m hillary!!!!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by hillaryin08 at 02:44 PM : Nov 15, 2007
+ report abuse

What are you babbling about you pathetic Nazi? The Reich puts out a line of hate and you losers do NOT have the mental ability to even know where and when to us it. It''s Pathetic!! Sieg Heil Bush!! Can you say Madame President? ROFLMAO

[barbaraf4]

The air travel problem would get fixed quickly if Bush and his merry band of henchmen had to fly commercial instead of Air Force One and other luxury private jets.

[yankeerebel7]

Thank you! I absolutely HATE travelling during the Holidays and try to avoid it if possible. Anything that can be done to ease the congestion is appreciated!

[deemsnyd]

yankeerebel7,

Didn''t you hear? All you have to do is get rid of the Christians and all will be well for flying on the holidays. I mean CHRISTmas.

[gkc99]

What, is Bushit going to pilot an airplane again?

That will keep fearful Americans on the ground for sure!!!

[tejasdemo]

Hey, how about just letting folks ride on Air Force One ? I mean , we pay for it. We sure as hell ought to be able to take a ride on it every once in a while, jerk.

[rudy654-2009]

"The president pointed to long-term ideas including "congestion pricing" that would impose higher landing fees at peak hours. He said flights should be spread more evenly."

Why does this man plan to make it worse than it already is?

[forthepeopl1]

clinton helped make it law( why) lets ask her (WHY)

TO ALL AMERICA YES, CONGRESS HAS AGAIN SLAP AMERICANS RIGHT IN THE FACE WITH THIS, PLEASE DONT BELEIVE ME THAN GO AND READ THE LAW BUSH SIGN INTO LAW. ITS CALL THE MILITARY COMMISSIONS ACT 2006, AND HIDDEN IN FINE PRINT CONGRESS HAS GIVEN THEMSELFS AND ANYONE WORKING IN THE GOVERNEMNT IMMUNEITY ON ANY THING THAT HAS HAPPEN IN THE WAKE OF THE WAR,OR ANYTHING ELSE THEY CAN FIND. THIS IS THE BEST PART, THEY BACK DATED IT TO ( 1997) why????? why would they need to back date this all the way before 2001???? because they have been ease dropping on america way back then...think about it america, and you better think about this, cheney/bush/rumsfeld/rove/rice started this war on all lies on top of lies, and remember 18 out of 19 involved in 2001 was saudi araibans you know the king and bush hold hands walking in the woods??? and this is why bush said he doesn''''''''t care about finding bin laddan because bin is part of the royal family that bush loves.. so if you look at the hole law, hillary help get it into law, why why why sounds funning because her husband bill was president at that time in 1997..so what are they all hideing in washington??????????????? david a belanger,veteran,us army, 978-618-3105,[e-mail] so how can americans fight this,and get this change????

[toolmangler-2009]

That will keep fearful Americans on the ground for sure!!!
Posted by gkc99 at 03:26 PM : Nov 15, 2007


good''un!!! LOL

[alanrobisch]

The air travel problem would get fixed quickly if Bush and his merry band of henchmen had to fly commercial instead of Air Force One and other luxury private jets.


Posted by barbaraf4 at 03:14 PM : Nov 15, 2007

this is what you call a cheap shot. Problem is basic not enough runways in proportion to flights and resistance to by people to have flights over their back yard. NIMby
+

[marcodele]

Congestion pricing and steeper fines for delays = higher ticket prices.

[bogusbones]

When I read the headline I thought he was going to volunteer as a flight traffic controller and have a "Mission Accomplished" sign on the back of his shirt. I love the way this guy proclaims his ineffectual edicts because he never gets to the root of the problem(s). It''s as if he thinks "I''m President and if I say I''ve found a solution - the problem should be solved." Not so easy Jorge.

[missingamerica]

Some 31.2 million motorists will hit the road for Thanksgiving...Aother 4.7 million will travel by air.

The President is consistent, if nothing else; he''ll do what he can to take care of that 13% that has enough money to fly, and not do a blankety-blank thing about the gas prices the other 87% of the traveling public will have to struggle with.

[zootallures2]

What was the holiday on 9/11/2001? According to the official story, they opened the airspace everywhere.

[barbaraf4]

"The air travel problem would get fixed quickly if Bush and his merry band of henchmen had to fly commercial instead of Air Force One and other luxury private jets." Posted by barbaraf4

"this is what you call a cheap shot. Problem is basic not enough runways in proportion to flights and resistance to by people to have flights over their back yard." Posted by alanrobisch2

Your statement is exactly correct; however, no matter what the problem, I still suggest it would be fixed if the administration did not fly Air Force One or private jet.

[missingamerica]

"Problem is basic not enough runways in proportion to flights and resistance to by people to have flights over their back yard." Posted by alanrobisch2

Maybe they should build some more airports out in rural areas. That would kill two birds with one stone; I''m thinking there may be an influx of Iraqis looking for jobs driving taxis in the near future.

[ginger193]

The US needs to fully invest in high quality passenger rail service.
China is investing 250 billion dollars into their rail system.
Beautiful railway stations and trains will benefit us, and the world in many ways.

[ginger193]

The US needs to fully invest in high quality passenger rail service.
China is investing 250 billion dollars into their rail system.
Beautiful railway stations and trains will benefit us, and the world in many ways.