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Travelers Need Patience, Good Book

By James W. Crawley, Media General News Service, jcrawley@mediageneral.com

Published: Wed, August 29, 2007 - 1:25 pm Last Updated: Wed, August 29, 2007 - 1:30 pm

Don't expect a holiday at the airports this Labor Day weekend.
After a summer of canceled flights, angry passengers and crowded planes, the season finale will likely feature more of the same.
The Air Transport Association, an airline trade group, predicts 15.7 million people will fly between Wednesday and Sept. 5 -- up 2.6 percent from Labor Day 2006.
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration isn't hopeful.
"It's fair to say people should brace themselves and bring a good book," said Marion Blakey, FAA administrator.
The air traffic system will be operating at full capacity this weekend, said Lance Sherry, an aviation analyst at George Mason University.
With airliners full, weather or mechanical delays and cancellations will likely ripple across the country, said Sherry, executive director of the university's Center for Air Transportation System Research.
"It's getting worse because the number of flights is increasing," he said.
The FAA's antiquated air traffic control system, which relies on ground radar and radios, makes the problem worse, federal and industry officials said.
During a meeting with reporters Wednesday, Blakey advocated a new satellite-based air traffic control system that could handle aircraft more efficiently. The new system, called NextGen, short for Next Generation Air Transportation System, will not be ready until sometime next decade.
Industry officials say passengers should pack some patience this weekend.
"There is continued growth in the number of people flying over Labor Day, so passengers are reminded to plan ahead and provide plenty of time for airport check-in and security screening," said Air Transport Association president James May.
Passengers should arrive two hours before departures to allow for security screenings. Liquids, gels and pastes must not exceed 3 oz. each and must be displayed in a 1-quart clear plastic bag. Only beverages bought in the secure boarding area are allowed on the plane.
The FAA's Blakey says she will brave the airport crowds herself this weekend. And, she added, she always flies economy class