CNN.com - Anderson Cooper 360° Blog

Friday, January 11, 2008

Anderson's View: Friday Flight-mare

I'm flying down to Atlanta today, but as I write this I'm sitting on the floor at LaGuardia Airport waiting for an update on my flight. The weather is bad and it seems like all the flights are delayed.

For some reason my airline doesn't think it's necessary to inform passengers about the status of their flights. Is it just me, or has flying become a completely miserable experience? The TSA rules seem arbitrarily enforced, and the airlines are offering less and less and asking more and more.

If you tune in tonight and I'm in New York, you'll know I finally gave up. I plan to do the show from Atlanta tonight, but we'll see.

-- Anderson Cooper

Posted By CNN: 3:14 PM ET
44 Comments

Hi Anderson,
Flying used to be fun. Those days are over! What happened to customer service? It seems since 9/11 that the airlines don't need to satisfy their customers any longer. We have longer waits, greater expense and no more ammenities that used to make flying fun.
Good luck getting to Atlanta!

Posted By

pamina : 3:24 PM ET

Hi Anderson,
No, it's not just you. I too have become frustrated with flying.
Other than delays and cancelations, have you noticed how airlines pack the jets like a sardine can? Those landing and take~offs have become rough and it seems, dangerous.
Last year I traveled with my Mother who is in a wheel chair and she was made to get up and be frisked TWICE like a terrorist.
GOOD LUCK!
I'll we watching tonight no matter where you are broadcasting from. I just want to say,"thanks for blogging even if you are complaining!" I hear ya~
Betty Ann

Posted By

Betty Ann : 3:31 PM ET

Hi Anderson,
I know how you feel. The problem I always have at airports is how much my luggage can weigh.Every airline has a different number.It's such a big struggle with airlines.Good luck on finding a flight!Look forward to watching your show tonight!! : )

Posted By

Jen, Lake Tahoe, California : 3:32 PM ET

Hop a flight to Tampa Anderson, it's the number 2 airport in the country for on time arrivals and the weather is beautiful! Have a great show tonight "weather" it be from New York, Atlanta or Tampa!

Suzanne, Tampa, FL

Posted By

Suzanne : 3:36 PM ET

Now I don't feel so bad about my huge fear of flying. Sounds like we're all better off using some other form of transportation these days.

Good luck in getting to Atlanta, Anderson.

Posted By

Fay, Vacaville, CA : 3:37 PM ET

Anderson,

My daughter flew from CA to La Guardia on Wednesday through Chicago. There were lots of delays into La Guardia because of weather. Her flight out of Chicago was cancelled but they rebooked everyone and she was only an hour late. That was on United. I can mention the airline but I noticed you did not. Anyhoo, she got decent service for a change which is a miracle because who is crazy enough to fly through Chicago in January? Or February? Or...?

You are right. It is an ordeal to fly now, not a pleasure. And I bet you fly first class and are not crammed in the back of the plane with the rest of us. Gosh, who hasn't gotten that middle seat next to two large individuals and then sat on the tarmac for an hour waiting for your turn to depart. It is enough to turn you into a homebody.

I hope you get to Atlanta. Erika probably has home made Southern biscuits and gravy waiting for you.

Charlotte D, Stockton CA

Posted By

Charlotte : 3:37 PM ET

I feel for you, Anderson. I love to travel, but every time I think about the airport/flight experience, I'm filled with a sense of dread. International flights seem even worse, but maybe that's just perspective of longer flight times, etc.

Anyway, hope you're no longer sitting bored at the airport when/if you get this. I look forward to your show as always :-)

Take care and good luck!

Posted By

Dave S. Tinley Park, IL : 3:40 PM ET

No, it's not just you. There seems to be a conscious effort to keep American travellers in a continual state of fear. One guy once tries to bring stuff on in his shoes and now millions of people have to take their shoes off until the end of time? I can't tell you how glad I am no one ever tried to smuggle anything on board a plane in their bra.

Posted By

Arachnae, Sterling VA : 3:43 PM ET

I know you have to fly because of your job, you really don't have a choice; but I am coming to the realization that driving is way better. I have been frisked like I was a terrorist. My child was frisked too and she is 11. She is now afraid to fly. It has taken me months to explain that she has done nothing wrong. She just cringes at the sight of the airport.

I guess this is the price we have to pay for terror.

Keep up the good work.
Madeliene

Posted By

Madeliene; Atlanta, Georgia : 3:51 PM ET

Hey Anderson,

It seems flying these days is a hit or miss experience. I found that the only airline that actually gives you info on your flights is Midwest Express, the rest of them seem to have no discernable communication system in place and they really don't give a crap that they don't.

Best of luck getting to Atlanta...you are going to need it.

See you tonight.

Posted By

Jessica MIlwaukee WI : 3:53 PM ET

Dear Anderson,

Sorry to hear about your "Friday Flight-mare!" It is difficult for me to picture you sitting on the floor at LaGuardia. I am curious to find out what you will be covering in Atlanta tonight.

Why should the airlines be any different than anything else; everyone seems to be offering less and less, but asking for more and more.

Thanks for taking the time to check in with us, but as I've said before I would be satisfied if you blogged even just once a week.

I hope you have a safe trip.

See you later,
Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

Posted By

Jo Ann : 3:53 PM ET

I feel ya!
Last time I had to fly, they took away my face cream and didn't serve me a single lousy peanut on the entire flight...and that I paid 500 bucks for!
Oh, did I mention we were delayed , too?

Posted By

Minou, New York,NY : 4:01 PM ET

Hi Anderson,

I hear you! I travel almost weekly for my work and I have grown numb to it now. One thing I hate is that for all the money I pay...er...I guess I should say my company pays, I can't get a direct flight to anywhere! I go to New York and Minneapolis frequently and I always have to transfer in either Toronto or Montreal. Hello! Ottawa is the CAPITAL CITY OF CANADA! Why can't we get any direct flights, it's not like we are some tiny little city!

Good luck with your flight!

Posted By

Tiffany, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada : 4:02 PM ET

Hi Anderson,
At least you are in the airport and not being held captive in a plane on the tarmac. Although it might be interesting to see you broadcasting from inside a plane tonight ; )
Flying has become an increasingly frustrating experience. You have to get there hours ahead of time for security and no one even tells you what's going on when there's a delay.
I was on a plane flying into Philadelphia last year and they couldn't land due to patchy fog. We must have been circling for an hour before anyone told us what they were doing. Even though it became fairly obvious as our arrival time came and went. Then they flew to and landed at the Allentown airport. But they wouldn't let us off the plane for a few hours. Finally they chartered buses to take us to Philly, on the dark, foggy roads. That took about an hour and I finally got to the airport at around 3:30am. Then I had 90 min. drive home. And during this whole time no one ever once apologized and it was very hard to get any kind of real information from the airlines.
I have another story about a trip from Chicago but I'll save that for another time!
Good luck and I hope you make it Atlanta safely.
Mary Anne, Parlin, NJ

Posted By

Mary Anne : 4:03 PM ET

Stop flying, then.

Posted By

Lee, Norwalk, Connecticut : 4:03 PM ET

When you fly on a weekly basis for work, especially now with all the new regulations, it loses it luster pretty quickly. Add weather on top and it can be so frustrating. My wosrt experience, trying to get to the East Coast and being held captive on the plane on the tarmac at St. Louis for 5 hours while they tried to de-ice. You know when you get to the hotel at 4:00 a.m. and they are asking you if you are checking out and you are actually checking in, it is going to be a long week. Hang in there. TGIF

Posted By

Mary H. St. Louis, MO : 4:05 PM ET

What I hate about flying now days is the darn security. I prepare beforehand as to what I can or cannot carry through security. Even after all my preparedness, I still worry about having a secondary screening. I know I don't have anything to worry about, but I feel like everybody is looking at me like I was guilty of something. I know TSA people are only doing their job, but they need to lighten up some and don't act like every person is a terrorist.

As far the airlines, they are in it to make money. And boy are they making it.

Posted By

Darla, Lafayette, LA : 4:05 PM ET

Hi Anderson,
I agree flying is horrible, the waiting and the luggage and all that just a big headache.
I agree with Betty Ann I'll be watching you where ever you are. :) And hope the next time you fly it'll be eaiser and less of a headache for you.
See you tonight :)
Nastya

Posted By

Nastya, Toronto, Cananda : 4:07 PM ET

I was just thinking about that the last time I was in the airport with a delayed flight. I used to love flying everywhere, but now you automatically have to tack on time to anticipate a delay and spend hundreds of dollars extra to compensate for fuel costs. It's getting frustrating, but we still do it.

Not long ago, I wanted to gauge how much time I had to go grab some good food before boarding, but no one from the airline told us how long we had. So I kept waiting and got increasingly hungry and increasingly bitter.

I'm not usually overly bothered by delays, but I'm bothered when I haven't eaten in several hours and am not close to a 'grab-and-go' area. Not fun.

Posted By

A.R., Minneapolis, MN : 4:13 PM ET

Hi Anderson!
The problem is the airport in Atlanta. I avoid it as much as possible. I take most flights either through Charlotte or Pittsburg.

Now, I understand that could be an issue since Atlanta is your destination.

The last time I was at Ronald Reagan Airport, (D.C), they moved my flight three times to three different gates. The third gate attempt was a "Running Man's" sprint before they closed the door. Keep in mind, there were about twenty of us.

Of course, no electronic sign stated the flight or destination, no attendant was making an announcement, and the gate area was dark and empty. We could have been loading up on a plane to Hong Kong but we would have never known it.

Like ususal, there was no room for carry-on luggage so most of the sprinters had to check the luggage at the gate hoping it would "get on the plane."

Also, it wasn't a "puddle jumper" but it was sardine-like. The sling shot lift-off out of Reagan just topped off the marathon to get home.

You don't want me to have to tell you about the flight to Seattle that was via Kansas City, Wichita, and Salt Lake City. There was a tornado involved and no hotel rooms. But then again, you probably have slept in an airport or two.

Posted By

Sharon from Indy : 4:39 PM ET

Anderson

Good to see you're taking advantage of the delay to blog, that (ahem) New Year's resolution. I usually use the downtime during delays to do things that keep me "grounded", like read what's in the various media, blog, call my mom, catch a few Zs.

Or you could bring with Kathy Griffin next time...

Posted By

Joe L, Somerville, MA : 4:46 PM ET

Anderson--

Hi!

I haven't been on an airplane since 1995 and based on your blog posting, I can see that I'm not really missing much!

I hope you made it to Atlanta and that the skies were friendly to you than the airline was!

Cheers!

Carolyn

Posted By

Carolyn, Washington, DC : 4:52 PM ET

I hear you. I can't say I've ever had bad experiences with my airline, though. A few weeks ago my flight from New Orleans to Newark (because I didn't want to deal with La Guardia) was delayed due to weather, and the airline did a great job of keeping us informed. I think I just lucked out thus far with this company. Airports and TSA are a different matter. Flying back from Newark to New Orleans New Year's Day I had this huge bag of stuff I'd bought and I was carrying it on. The TSA guy dug through everything, threw out my bottle of Williams-Sonoma lotion (my fault for packing it in the bag), and I dunno, when do five foot zero almost forty-year old educators/counselors wearing a Dale Jr. Nation sweatshirt and jeans fit the terrorist profile? One time the gate changed three times before I could fly from New Orleans to Houston. I've had luggage arrive on a later flight than mine, I've almost missed a flight due to Customs being hypervigilant when I've returned to the States from Central America, and in spite of good experiences with my airline I usually feel like I've survived running the gauntlet by the time I get from point A to B in my travels. I am not looking forward to the various flights I have coming up within the next months. And yet, if I had the chance, I'd deal with TSA guy all over again just to have had the trip I did in New York (so the end is worth the aggravation of the means). Sorry for the vent, but the airports and TSA have forgotten to put the fliers first, I don't see it getting any better, and I think people are just going to have to complain loudly to get any changes to happen. It's not like we can stop flying if we want to travel. I hope your flight took off eventually. Look at it this way. At least the airport didn't have armed guards standing at point above everyone looking down. There are small consolations.

Posted By

Tammy, Berwick, LA : 5:00 PM ET

I love travelling but I hate flying. I flew to New York from Atlanta this summer and had my flight (the only one on the board, at that) be cancelled without an explanation. After having waiting 3 hours in two different gates - one standby, one my confirmed flight - i finally board....only to be asked to de-plane for a 45 minute delay. Again, no explanation. I finally LEFT Atlanta a half hour after I was supposed to LAND in New York. Lesson learned? Delta sucks. Hope you're flying with someone else.

Claire
Birmigham, AL

Posted By

Claire - Birmingham, AL : 5:03 PM ET

Sorry to read about your travel woes, Anderson. It seems likes the airlines have colluded to make flying as miserable an experience as possible. We passengers have to put up with it, if we want to get where we're going. The customer isn't right. The customer doesn't even matter at all!

Posted By

Barbara in Culver City, CA : 5:07 PM ET

The airlines get away with so much and I appreciate the fact that their jobs are difficult, but when I spending a small fortune to fly from big ole Baton Rouge to Atlanta, I expect to be informed that my flight will be 5 hours late for no apparent weather related reason. That happened to me once and everytime I asked them what was going on, the wonderfully friendly kiosk attendants had a different answer. Once, it was a wheel on the plane. Then, my flight had been detained coming in, then it was an engine problem. And I absolutely LOVE and ADORE the many times I am pulled over by TSA for everything but a body cavity search. If you're going to pat me down that much, I may start requiring a drink first or possibly even dinner.

Posted By

Debbie, Denham Springs, LA : 5:24 PM ET

New airline motto - Leave your rights at the curb.

Yes, going to the airport is becoming a journey in itself.

I went to the airport to pick up my daughter after her visit with her dad. I got to the airport 1/2 hour before her flight was due to arrive from Las Vegas and was told....she hasn't left yet, the flight is delayed!

Security check is like a military strip down or something....I was lost not having done this for 2 years. So much to take off (mental note....no moto boots to airport next time).

I couldn't find a chair either so I ended up standing the whole time.

Good thing came out of it though....got to watch the debate on ABC with both sides....I was there that long.

I think there should be laws against over booking flights and holding passengers on airplanes.

If you have allergies that make "plane snacks" off limits, you had better pack lots of snacks. Also, it's not fair for little kids to sit that long either.

Remember, everything happens for a reason and it's all for the good. You don't make it to Atlanta, you weren't meant to go there at that moment.

Posted By

Sabrina in Los Angeles : 5:29 PM ET

Hi Anderson,
My friend and I had a similar experience flying home from New York, except we were sitting on the floor at Kennedy. We had flown to New York back in October to see a preview of "Planet in Peril" (excellent!), and we kept saying, "Bet Anderson doesn't have to go through this when he flies." I'm sorry to hear you do, but somehow I feel better that you're one of us! Wherever you are, I'll be watching! See you tonight!

Posted By

Debbie, Rochester, New York : 5:58 PM ET

AC,
I just got back from the airport and the number of flights being delayed or cancelled is bizarre. Seems like airlines only care about the money they make out of people. On top of that, they don't even notify when flights are being delayed/cancelled at times and it really makes you want to lose your patience.

Posted By

Els, Ontario Ca : 6:06 PM ET

Hi AC! I am grounded with the flu, but I hope to be awake tonight for the show. I'm supposed to travel the end of the month, so do you think that you can straighten out the airlines for me! Let's put that clout to good use! I hope your travels go smoothly and you have a great week-end!

Posted By

Kathy Chicago,Il : 6:20 PM ET

Hi Anderson,

Just be thankful you're not up in the air during a terrible storm, those aren't fun. I'm guessing you're one of my fellow "sitting on the floor next to the outlet buddies". Since the airlines have made you wait so much, I started carry my own extension plug so I can charge the phone at the same time as working on the laptop and blackberry. Whatever did we do without these modern devises!

Posted By

Suzi, San Francisco, CA : 6:29 PM ET

Hi Anderson,
I'm a former airline employee who has worked on both the operations and customer service side of the business. The problem is communication. Duh!!! It does seem as it should be a lot more simple than it actually is. A great amount of the problem is with air traffic control. Their system is way overloaded and very much in need of updating. The communication system within the airline may not be a whole lot better. The airline business is extremely competitive. Just think about how many airlines have declared bankruptcy in the past few years. The airlines try to update things which keep them in direct competition which each other. They cannot compromise on safety. So there is very little money left to spend on ground computer systems. It is a much longer line of communication than most passengers think. That is not an excuse. Why don't you ask some airline exec's on your program and ask them why things are such a mess. If you had a few experienced former airline employees on with them you could have quite an interesting discussion.

Posted By

Marjorie Baltimore, Md : 6:37 PM ET

Hi Anderson,
My husband has to fly twice weekly from the Chicago area to Albany,with a hub stop in Detroit. In the past 2 months he's been stranded in Detroit airport over night. He says to tell you he feels your pain

Posted By

Becca from Kappa,Illinois : 6:38 PM ET

No, Anderson, it's not just you. Flying has become a miserable experience period. I wish I could do a "Barbara Eden" in I DREAM OF JEANNIE. She blinked and was transported to wherever she wanted to be. Prices are high, food is lousy, if any, air quality is poor, and I always get sick, physically, literally, sick with a cold or funky respiratory bug.

We had a pretty bad rain storm in the middle of the day in NYC but then the sun came out and the sky became clear, so I hope you made it to Atlanta safely. See you soon.

Posted By

Mariela, New York, NY : 6:48 PM ET

Since I hate to fly and waiting in an airport would make it that much more traumatic for me (and I've had some doozies of adventures at them) - here's my advice: people watch. then make up stories about them and why they are there. Have fun with it.

Of course, you could also continue to research your stories for tonight ... but that's what your staff is for.

And so what if you stay in NY --- better safe than ... well ...

Posted By

Lisa, Elk Grove, CA : 6:55 PM ET

The TSA rules are arbitrarily enforced to keep terrorists guessing. I swear that's what a TSA person told me when I asked him why the person in front of me didn't have to remove their suit coat and I was asked to remove mine. He said we (DHS)don't want to make it easy for bombers, and they don't want the bad guys to see any patterns.

Posted By

nick d - denton, tx. : 6:57 PM ET

Hey Anderson,
Good Luck getting to Atlanta! My family was stuck overnight in Houston during the holidays after the airline checked us in, knowing we had a tight layover in Atlanta. No one bothered to let us know that our departing flight was delayed. (sound familiar?) By the time we figured it all out, there was no way for us to get home that day.

And that was just part one of the going home drama.

Makes road trips sound appealing doesn't it?

Posted By

Minnie, Portland, Oregon : 8:25 PM ET

I understand completly. I'm a college student and it seems flying between home and school gets worse every trip. Prices are going up, TSA/security seems to be getting more unfriendly, and customer service has completely dissappeared. Good luck getting to Atlanta. I LOVE your show!

Posted By

Hailey, Houston, Texas : 8:35 PM ET

Hey Anderson,

I think you fly more than I drive. Hearing how frustrating your experience has been today, maybe I don't mind so much that I can't travel. Anyway, I hope by now you've landed safe and sound in Atlanta and won't have to deal with inconsiderate airlines, at least for a couple of days.

Remember before September 11 they were going to create a "bill of rights" for airline passengers and greatly improve customer service?9/11 gave them an easy way out of that one.

By the way, you were sitting on the floor? I'm shocked no one was generous enough to give you their seat. I would have.

Stay safe down there, I thought I heard there were severe storms and tornado watches. Wherever you're broadcasting from, I'll be watching.

Posted By

Christina, Windber, PA : 8:37 PM ET

HI Anderson,
I hope that you managed to arrive in Atlanta safely this evening.
Looking forward to watching tonight,wherever you may be.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Take care.

Posted By

Anne Newfoundland Canada : 8:55 PM ET

Now I don't feel so bad about my huge fear of flying--it all seems like one big headache.

Posted By

Fay, Vacaville, CA : 8:57 PM ET

I had to fly today, too, Anderson!! I left Sugar Land, TX, and flew out of Bush Intercontinental in Houston to Phoenix (I go to ASU), and I flew Continental, which has tiny seats and rude stewardesses every time I fly, then found out I can't move back into my dorm room until tomorrow, so now I am stuck in a Hampton Inn that doesn't have CNN (seriously, WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!), watching FOX. Yeah, that's right, FOX. As in Bill O' Reilly. Anyway, I hope you're able to get to Atlanta, even if I won't get to watch 360 tonight.

:)

Posted By

Melanie Kiser : 9:56 PM ET

Hi Anderson,
Guess you didn't fly the friendly skies into Atlanta? Pony Express would be faster. We could all ride into the sunset on a mule and still arrive to our destinations sooner than a flight from most airports. So saddle up..

Lorie Ann
Buellton, Calif.

Posted By

Lorie Ann : 11:18 PM ET

I am experienced traveler and have gone through it many times. Because of my hearing impairment, I get worry if I cannot get into the flight. So, I often asked the airline staff as well as passengers. For years, I’ve had tremendously helped from the airline staff. Not all of us are lucky, that I know. Last year, there was a bad storm in Spain. I couldn’t get back to NY and had to stay overnight there in Madrid. I almost lost my luggage at the airport and had no one to help. Finally, the staff got my luggage back after five hours. It was totally disaster. Until midnight I was crashed. But, I got free meal and a bottle of red wine (I didn’t drink all of it) at the motel nearby. That’s something we all have to deal with Mother’s Nature.

I hope you’ve made your flight to Atlanta.

Take care

Posted By

Michele, Douglaston NY : 9:00 AM ET

Add a Comment

« Back to Blog Main

ABOUT THE BLOG

A behind the scenes look at "Anderson Cooper 360°" and the stories it covers, written by Anderson Cooper and the show's correspondents and producers.

• Reporter's Notebooks
• "Anderson Cooper 360°"
• Anderson Cooper bio
• "The Marquee" blog
• "Paging Dr Gupta" blog
• "Political Ticker" blog
• "Situation Room" blog
• "Art of Life" blog
• "CNN Business Traveller" blog
• "Exchange Notebook" blog
• "All CNN.com" blogs

• The contenders, the convicted, and the dead
• Beat 360
• Whatever happened to the war?
• 'Blunt' Force
• Morning Buzz
• Missing, and maybe a mom...
• Revenge of the Nerds...
• Beat 360
• An Opening for Barack
• Are voter ID requirements constitutional?