Findling Events

MSNBC.com

Backup has left American’s terminal brimming with hundreds of bags

The Associated Press

updated 1:32 p.m. PT, Wed., July. 30, 2008

NEW YORK - A software glitch crippled the baggage handling system in an American Airlines terminal at Kennedy Airport on Wednesday, delaying some flights and causing a luggage pileup at the ticket counters.

The malfunction created big problems throughout the day for passengers flying out of Terminal 8, one of the newer buildings at JFK.

Thousands of customers had to leave their luggage behind and hope it would be delivered later. The breakdown was galling to some passengers already steamed over the airline’s recent decision to start charging fees for each checked bag on flights within the United States and Canada.

“I’m just not happy. I think it’s crazy,” said Mike Howell, who was en route to San Diego after visiting New York City. “If they do charge people 15 dollars per bag, they should get it right.”

The problem developed at around 4:45 a.m., when a piece of software failed in the computer that reads the bar code on each piece of tagged luggage, and then whisks the bag via conveyor belt to the proper gate.

With the automated system out of service, airline employees were forced to sort each bag by hand. They quickly became overwhelmed by the task.

The airline tried delaying flights for 60 to 90 minutes, hoping that would be enough extra time to get them loaded, but lots of luggage still didn’t make it aboard.

The airline’s engineers and technicians from the system developer were still working to diagnose the software problem Wednesday afternoon, said airline spokesman Tim Wagner.

Because of the crisis, American waived its fees Wednesday for travelers checking fewer than three bags at JFK. Starting in June, the airline, like most of its competitors, has charged $15 for one checked bag or $40 for two bags. Passengers may still carry on luggage for free.

Wagner noted, however, that a majority of the flights affected by Wednesday’s baggage problem were international, and thus not subject to the fees in the first place.

The airline had about 67 scheduled departures at JFK on Wednesday.

Some bags were being diverted to nearby LaGuardia and Newark airports and put on alternative flights.

Wagner said he could offer no immediate estimate on how long it might take the airline to sort through the backlog and get each bag to its proper destination.

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Hello New York,

About 8 months ago I turned to a few friends and proclaimed “I’m leaving New York in June” Nobody actually thought I would do it, they thought it was a joke, a bluff - a hoax! So it was, after eight years in Manhattan I moved to San Francisco two months ago. I happy to report that after to months on the west coast - I’ve never been happier. I actually started to understand what it physically means to understand my own mind and body.

I write to my friends in New York, there is a charm that is Manhattan, it makes you feel like you are on top of the world and it is center of the universe. And to some extent, that is true, but I am also happy to report there is an alternative feeling to that world that enables you to more closely monitor who you are as a person.

Over eight years I knew a lot of people, and to some extent I can divide them into 3 groups:

1. Those that love New York, would never leave and thrive on the existence.

2. Those that want to leave, want to move, find another ground - but never do.

3. Those that want to leave, want to move, find another ground - and find the courage to do so.

My point is, in the last two months a gorgeous woman who has the intials DW taught me a great lesson. Change, no matter how big or small, to induce upon your own self takes courage and a dash of blind faith. I woke up this morning to the view below (granted I’m dog sitting), but working from home today I ate my lunch next to the lapping waves of the Pacific Ocean. OK, yes, there are MASSIVE forest fires just north of here, I was thrown from my bike a week ago and it is cold here during the summer. But in the last week or so I felt an opening in my mind - the ability to think clearly again, to write again - to illuminate my sense of humor.

I send much love to my friends and community in New York, you made me, and I will never forget that, like many events I experienced from 2001 attacks, to blackouts, to watching the leaves change to New Year’s in Times Square.

Be good and keep the Apple crisp!

Hello friends,

The rumors are true, I am moving to San Francisco. Next week there will be two events which I hope you can join me!

• May 20th: jJoin me for the JICNY Networking Cocktails (click for details) event at 7PM and also learn more about CharityHappenings.org (http://www.charityhappenings.org).Sign up for the newsletter today and $.25 will go to St. Jude\’s Children\’s Hospital.

And if you are not going to Fire Island for Memorial Day Weekend:

• May 24th: Saturday night, come share a drink with me, (location 99% confirmed), will be having a great time in a great lounge on W51st & Broadway, stay tuned! Let me know if you can join us!