The Airport Industry Has to Change
If any one issue came to light during the Christmas week is that many airports are not able to handle emergencies of any kind let alone a passel of canceled flights. Not since September 11, 2001 has the airline and accommodations industries been caught so flat-footed. People following the updates on Twitter on Christmas Eve probably would have run out to their local airport to rescue some of these stranded souls.
What is Over-Booking?
It is common knowledge that, across the world, airlines will sell more seats than passengers that will be allowed to fly for the purpose of making sure that every aircraft leaves fully-loaded. Those who cannot get on the flight will be given perks like being bumped up to Business Class on the next flight or simply given a free ticket for a later date. This usually works because many people do not mind taking a later flight if it means getting a handsome reward in exchange. The hotel business offers a similar program and will have you transferred to another hotel complete with perks in hand.
Consequences of Overbooking
During the past week-and-a-half we have all seen this system of “take-and-give” fall apart. Why? Because during peak holiday season – when almost every traveler has to be at a certain destination for a specified period of time – any interruptions rattle down the ranks bumping customers with legitimate tickets off the queue. The bad part of this is that they stay off because the next flight will have the same problems. Not only that, this problem is multiplied by the number of airline companies at the airport so you have dozens of ticketed passengers with no ride. This is compounded when the next overbooked flights are ready for boarding and so on. As night draws near and the flights cease these passengers are now looking for accommodations dumping a huge strain on the hotel as well as the airline industry in the area.
Throw in Bad Weather
The problem with this Christmas season is that most of North America was hit with high winds and blizzards. Even rainy Seattle had Minnesota-style snow storms. Planes were ground during the high winds and when they were allowed to fly out many of the airports had run out of de-icer and so these planes could not leave.
One of the norms of traveling is that weather history almost always repeats itself. This may not happen for twenty or thirty years but colossal storms will eventually arrive during the times of peak travel. The chaos that results can be avoided if certain regulations are put into place. The FAA or other regulatory groups should be able to police airports and local hotels, especially those who are fed by these airports, so that they can be ready for any emergencies that require more people than rooms.
What Should Be Done?
1. All airlines should be required to have extra equipment and pilots available for peak seasons, especially in the fall and winter months.
2. Every airport should have a back-up supply of de-icer or a supplier that can deliver it quickly.
3. Hotels should have to make emergency arrangements to take on hundreds of stranded passengers and ensure that they have baths, showers and places to sleep. Hey, they can convert banquet rooms into sections in minutes why not have the same abilities for people?
4. All airports should have facilities for showering that can be made available during a crisis. Bus depots in Europe and Australia have these for backpackers and charge a nominal fee. During good times these can be used for storage or other purposes.
Hey, on September 11-12, 2001Halifax, Gander and other Canadian cities landed and processed hundreds of jumbo aircraft and settled the passengers into temporary accommodations so it can be done. The government just has to raise its finger like it did on 9-11 and people will be looked after.
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