By Shelley Kofler
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-694418.mp3
Dallas, TX – On Wednesday afternoon John Wood was scheduled to return to Los Angeles from Dallas. Instead he sat fuming at DFW airport after his American flight home was cancelled because of the reinspections. Wood he was irritated:
Wood: This is the worst ever. They said the best we can do is get you outta here tomorrow morning, but that flight may very well be cancelled, too. So what am I supposed to hang my hat on, you know?
Janet Pheiffer's connecting flight to Atlanta was cancelled, too, and she had no idea what had happened to her baggage. Stranded at DFW she worried about a family heirloom she'd packed for a party.
Pheifer: My grandmother's dress from 1924 is in my bag. If I lose that I will be pretty sad.
American says the events that lead to the massive delays and frustration began several weeks ago. The FAA grounded some American MD-80 planes and ordered modification to wiring in wheel wells. This Monday the FAA said the modifications were not adequate, and ordered immediate reinspections to begin the following day, Tuesday.
American spokesman Charley Wilson said that gave the airline little time to prepare passengers. In addition to rebooking and rerouting them Wilson says American will also reimburse travelers stranded overnight
American says it expects to cancel another 900 flights today, and perhaps more on Friday.