Business Travel News - September 14, 2009 - (Page 11)

FORUM EDITORIAL Right To Return After Three-Hour Delay Wrong “I don’t know why, but this red-eye flight is always packed,” the man sitting behind me said. “Well, this is a convention town,” I said. “In fact, I’m leaving a convention, the National Business Travel Association convention, which I’ve been covering for Business Travel News, and I’d be willing to bet that the deep cuts in airline capacity might also have something to do with it.” “That might be a good bet,” offered my captain. “They’ve gone too far and cut too much.” “Cutting so many flights has had the desired effect from the airlines’ perspective and raised load factors, but that complicates things when flights are delayed and canceled. At least that’s what a lot of people were talking about today at my conference,” I said. “We even had the Larry and Gary show, Continental CEO Larry Kellner and Southwest CEO Gary Kelly. One of the things they were talking about was this passenger rights proposal requiring aircraft to return to the gate after a three-hour runway delay. Larry and Gary said the decision to go or return to the gate is a matter of safety and security that should be made by the captain.” “That three-hour rule is a terrible idea,” my captain said. “People are getting on the plane because they want to go. If I know there are delays ahead, I will tell the passengers before leaving the gate not to get on if they aren’t willing to wait. But I’ve “Really?” I said. “It’s been a while since I’ve had one like that.” “I guess that means you never fly to New York, Dallas or Chicago,” I said, laughing. “Not true. The worst three are all three New York airports,” said the co-pilot. “The biggest problem with having some kind of mandatory return rule is how it will back things up,” said the captain. “On top of that, a lot more flights will be cancelled because a lot of the crews being delayed like that won’t be legal. Their shifts will come to their mandatory end and they won’t be able to go on a later flight that same day. In the end, it won’t make the passengers any happier.” ■ As I climbed into the airport shuttle, I saw a uniformed man in the van’s second wide seat, so I slid in on the first seat behind the driver. A moment later a second uniformed man entered the van and sat on the seat next to me and I realized I was heading to the airport with a pilot and a co-pilot. “Where you headed?” the driver asked my neighbor. “Dulles,” he said. Suddenly it dawned on me that my seatmate soon would be my captain. “It’s good to know I’ll be flying with a fresh crew,” I said. “I’m taking the red-eye to meet my daughter at her first day of college tomorrow, and I’m hoping you can get me there on time.” DAVID MEYER BTN editor-in-chief hardly ever had anyone take me up on it and I’ve hardly even had more than a twohour delay.” Atlanta-Kennesaw, GA GIVE THEM MORE THAN JUST A HOME ON THE ROAD. High-speed internet access Daily hot breakfast Evening meal with beverages* Kitchen with full-size fridge Booking corporate travel doesn’t have to mean sacriﬁcing the bottom line. Every Homewood Suites hotel is full of included extras, so ® you rest assured your travelers are comfortable and happy. It’s what we mean when we tell all our guests: Make Yourself at Home. homewoodsuites.com 1-800-CALL-HOME® *Evening meal with beverages available Monday through Thursday. Subject to state and local laws. Must be of legal drinking age. Points & Miles® and No Blackout Dates. Only from Hilton HHonors. ©2009 Hilton Hotels Corporation. 36 USC 220506. Business Travel News www.BTNonline.com Monday, September 14, 2009 11 http://www.homewoodsuites.com http://www.homewoodsuites.com http://www.BTNonline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Business Travel News - September 14, 2009

Business Travel News - September 14, 2009
Contents
Inside Track
Profiles In Travel Management
Forum
Aviation
Lodging
Travel Management
EuroBTN

Business Travel News - September 14, 2009