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CNN Live Sunday
Interview With Rally Caparas
Aired November 30, 2003 - 11:08 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: Patty Davis is going nowhere fast at Reagan National in Washington and we've watched the crowds ebb and flow with her throughout the morning. Patty, bring us up to date.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it'll probably be more crowded and slower on the roads that I will be driving back to CNN today than it is here at Reagan National Airport. The morning rush hour is now over. And earlier today, though, at its peak, there were 10 to 15-minute waits at those screening checkpoints. Virtually no wait now, however, but we do expect it to pick up again later this afternoon as the next wave of travelers comes and hits the airport for their flights.
We're joined by Drew Thompson, who is a student heading back here, a junior at Williams College outside of Albany. What do you think of these massively long lines here today?
DREW THOMPSON, STUDENT: Well, I really haven't had to deal with any of the long lines. It was really quick and easy to check in today.
DAVIS: You haven't seen any?
THOMPSON: I haven't. Actually, I sort of didn't follow rules and just arrived an hour before my flight. But I definitely recommend arriving earlier.
DAVIS: Now, had you been hearing about the fact this was going to be a bad weekend of travel and did you plan ahead for that?
THOMPSON: Yes, I did. You know, it was difficult to find a flight at the last minute and a lot of people saying about the rush, but like, actually I haven't really seen any problems and I'm really thankful for that.
DAVIS: The only rule you didn't obey is get to the airport two hours early. What kind of tips would you have for other travelers? You've had it pretty smooth here at Reagan National this morning. What else would you recommend for travelers?
THOMPSON: I just think, be ready for lines at the security checkpoints, and just follow the advice of the workers, because, you know, they're doing us a great service and I think by following orders you make your travel much smoother.
DAVIS: Now, even though you say the security, you appreciate it, you still said to me earlier you despise checkpoints.
THOMPSON: I do. I sort of think it is an invasion of privacy, but I also think it's a sacrifice we must make in order to have security in the air.
DAVIS: All right. Thanks a lot. We appreciate it. Drew Thompson, a college student heading back here from Reagan National Airport.
Now, a big reason why there are few delays, the Transportation Security Administration has stepped up the number of screeners that it has on the job. We saw some 6,000 screener position cutbacks this fall. They brought in part-timers; they brought in even administrative staff to help them deal with the crush, because there are more travelers going through the airports than ever before. They still have not reached pre-9/11 numbers, though.
Back to you, Sean.
CALLEBS: OK, Patty Davis. Anything to get us home safely and as close to on time as possible. Thanks very much.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: And now, let's keep our eyes on the skies and turn to Rally Caparas from Travelocity Business. He's on the line with us. What are you seeing out there?
RALLY CAPARAS, AIR TRAFFIC SPECIALIST, TRAVELOCITY BUSINESS: Hi, Catherine. Well, as Patty told you, the departure situation across the United States leaving your airports is not going to be a big problem. Whenever there's severe weather, or inclement weather, that's when you have your departure situation and problems going through the airports.
The problem today is going to be the arrival situation. Once you get airborne and try to work your way into the queue, or the lines of airplanes that are trying to land, that's how it's going to really break down for you as far as the delays are going to affect you later on.
Newark, LaGuardia, and Philadelphia delay-free this morning; it will stay that way until later on this afternoon and evening. But we will see 45-minute arrival delays, winds and runway configurations, combined with the volume, will create those delays, and we could see those delays double. We'll be here throughout the day advising you of any changes.
Now, down in Florida, West Palm Beach, an airport we're not used to dealing with with major delays, they are starting to see 60 to 90- minute arrival delays. The FAA's administered a ground delay program for that airport. That means if you're headed to West Palm, or you're going there to pick someone up that's supposed to come home today, expect them to be about an hour to an hour and a half late. This is already set into the schedule.
Chicago O'Hare, they're under a ground delay program also. Delay-free right now, but starting around noon central time you'll start to see 45 to 60-minute arrival delays on inbound flights to O'Hare. Minneapolis-St. Paul, similar situation, strong winds, reduced arrival capacity, and very high volume will create 45-minute arrival delays for folks headed to that airport. On the west coast, only San Francisco, they are seeing 35 to 40-minute delays. Low clouds, fog, rain, wind, and volume.
It looks like we'll have more delays to talk about. I'll be back with you throughout the day. Back to you.
CALLAWAY: All right. Thank you, Rally. Rally Caparas, keeping us up to day.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired November 30, 2003 - 11:08 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: Patty Davis is going nowhere fast at Reagan National in Washington and we've watched the crowds ebb and flow with her throughout the morning. Patty, bring us up to date.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it'll probably be more crowded and slower on the roads that I will be driving back to CNN today than it is here at Reagan National Airport. The morning rush hour is now over. And earlier today, though, at its peak, there were 10 to 15-minute waits at those screening checkpoints. Virtually no wait now, however, but we do expect it to pick up again later this afternoon as the next wave of travelers comes and hits the airport for their flights.
We're joined by Drew Thompson, who is a student heading back here, a junior at Williams College outside of Albany. What do you think of these massively long lines here today?
DREW THOMPSON, STUDENT: Well, I really haven't had to deal with any of the long lines. It was really quick and easy to check in today.
DAVIS: You haven't seen any?
THOMPSON: I haven't. Actually, I sort of didn't follow rules and just arrived an hour before my flight. But I definitely recommend arriving earlier.
DAVIS: Now, had you been hearing about the fact this was going to be a bad weekend of travel and did you plan ahead for that?
THOMPSON: Yes, I did. You know, it was difficult to find a flight at the last minute and a lot of people saying about the rush, but like, actually I haven't really seen any problems and I'm really thankful for that.
DAVIS: The only rule you didn't obey is get to the airport two hours early. What kind of tips would you have for other travelers? You've had it pretty smooth here at Reagan National this morning. What else would you recommend for travelers?
THOMPSON: I just think, be ready for lines at the security checkpoints, and just follow the advice of the workers, because, you know, they're doing us a great service and I think by following orders you make your travel much smoother.
DAVIS: Now, even though you say the security, you appreciate it, you still said to me earlier you despise checkpoints.
THOMPSON: I do. I sort of think it is an invasion of privacy, but I also think it's a sacrifice we must make in order to have security in the air.
DAVIS: All right. Thanks a lot. We appreciate it. Drew Thompson, a college student heading back here from Reagan National Airport.
Now, a big reason why there are few delays, the Transportation Security Administration has stepped up the number of screeners that it has on the job. We saw some 6,000 screener position cutbacks this fall. They brought in part-timers; they brought in even administrative staff to help them deal with the crush, because there are more travelers going through the airports than ever before. They still have not reached pre-9/11 numbers, though.
Back to you, Sean.
CALLEBS: OK, Patty Davis. Anything to get us home safely and as close to on time as possible. Thanks very much.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: And now, let's keep our eyes on the skies and turn to Rally Caparas from Travelocity Business. He's on the line with us. What are you seeing out there?
RALLY CAPARAS, AIR TRAFFIC SPECIALIST, TRAVELOCITY BUSINESS: Hi, Catherine. Well, as Patty told you, the departure situation across the United States leaving your airports is not going to be a big problem. Whenever there's severe weather, or inclement weather, that's when you have your departure situation and problems going through the airports.
The problem today is going to be the arrival situation. Once you get airborne and try to work your way into the queue, or the lines of airplanes that are trying to land, that's how it's going to really break down for you as far as the delays are going to affect you later on.
Newark, LaGuardia, and Philadelphia delay-free this morning; it will stay that way until later on this afternoon and evening. But we will see 45-minute arrival delays, winds and runway configurations, combined with the volume, will create those delays, and we could see those delays double. We'll be here throughout the day advising you of any changes.
Now, down in Florida, West Palm Beach, an airport we're not used to dealing with with major delays, they are starting to see 60 to 90- minute arrival delays. The FAA's administered a ground delay program for that airport. That means if you're headed to West Palm, or you're going there to pick someone up that's supposed to come home today, expect them to be about an hour to an hour and a half late. This is already set into the schedule.
Chicago O'Hare, they're under a ground delay program also. Delay-free right now, but starting around noon central time you'll start to see 45 to 60-minute arrival delays on inbound flights to O'Hare. Minneapolis-St. Paul, similar situation, strong winds, reduced arrival capacity, and very high volume will create 45-minute arrival delays for folks headed to that airport. On the west coast, only San Francisco, they are seeing 35 to 40-minute delays. Low clouds, fog, rain, wind, and volume.
It looks like we'll have more delays to talk about. I'll be back with you throughout the day. Back to you.
CALLAWAY: All right. Thank you, Rally. Rally Caparas, keeping us up to day.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
