Delays might be greater than usual this Thanksgiving due to possible staff shortages and malfunctioning equipment at the Philadelphia airport.
With many students expected to fly home today, there are questions as to whether Philadelphia International Airport is prepared to deal with the increased traffic. Some students have suffered airline mishaps during previous Thanksgiving holidays.
"They overloaded the bags. My stuff got bumped onto another flight," College senior Lauren Sankovitch said. "I talked to them ... and went home. My bag arrived the next day."
Within the last month, a mechanical failure shut down a baggage conveyer belt in Philadelphia, and a large number of US Airways' luggage-handling employees called in sick on two occasions. Consequently, thousands of passengers had to wait for as long as two hours for their luggage. Some are afraid that these problems may resurface in the coming days, when holiday travel nears its peak.
US Airways, which has recently filed for bankruptcy, is the largest carrier at the city airport and expects to operate at 90 percent capacity today and Sunday. The company has cut employee wages by 21 percent, causing union discontent.
Yet, the airline claims that it has plenty of experience in dealing with the increased passenger volume over the holiday period and is sure that there will be sufficient staff on duty.
"Certainly, we're well-aware of high passenger volumes," US Airways spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said. "We're staffing accordingly." She added that she believed the mechanical failures were isolated incidents.
Among those unconvinced by the airline's reassurances is City Councilman Frank Rizzo, who has himself experienced baggage delays. He has met with US Airways and airport officials to discuss methods to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Stewart Graham -- Rizzo's office manager -- said that given the airline's bankruptcy, its ongoing survival could depend on its ability to adequately allocate manpower and avoid delays.
"I suspect US Air is going to be particularly sensitive to this," Graham said. "I suspect ... it's going to do everything it can."
However, all of the airline's plans could fall apart if flight employees' unions take action. The Association of Flight Attendants approved a resolution authorizing a strike a week and half ago, and some US Airways officials suggested that the sick calls were a response to the salary cut. Some fear this situation may recur.
"Of course that's the worry," Graham said. "If [a striker] wants to maximize impact, that would be the time to do it."
US Airways is dispensing its typical advice, warning passengers to arrive two hours early and check in online. But given everything that has happened, no one can be certain that travelers will have a smooth journey.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.