I missed my flight this morning so I am in the San Antonio airport waiting 5 hours for the next flight to Newark via Charlotte and I won't get home until late this evening. You don't know me, but I always take responsibility for my actions. It was not my fault that I missed my flight but no one here is claiming responsibility which makes my hardship that much worse.
My flight back home to Newark via US Air was to leave San Antonio at 7:07 am. I arrived at the airport at 6:00am as planned, confident that, because of the early hour, I would sail into the airport, have breakfast and leisurely board. To my horror, the lines for security extended the entire length of the airport and at one point even wound through a corridor - like the lines at an amusement park. I was also aghast about the passivity of my fellow travelers, many of whom, like me, would be missing their flights - all of them too intimidated by 'security' to show their dismay.
I should explain that because I have a very large family in San Antonio I travel this route - Newark to San Antonio - a minimum of 3 times a year since I moved from SA some 29 years ago. I did not 'miscalculate' and get to the airport late. I have NEVER seen lines like this before. Yet all of the airport personnel with whom I've had to deal this morning tell me that it is my fault for not leaving enough time for security.
I called US Air while I was in line to let them know what was going on and was told that my flight would leave on time regardless. They offered to put me on another flight for $600, which I declined. When I got to the security checkpoint I was horrified to find out that I had not been given the proper ticket when I checked my bags so I had to leave the line, get the right ticket, and then enter the line again - costing me another few precious minutes. When I finally got to the gate at 6:55 there was already a line of people ahead of me who had missed the flight.
When it was my turn to make alternate arrangements with the gate agent I was told that I would be routed so as to land in Newark at 8:35pm. My original flights would have put me into Newark at 1:00pm. At this point I broke down into tears. I came to San Antonio to visit my dad who is dying of esophogial cancer. I am exhausted and just want to be home. I begged to be put onto another airline so I could get home earlier but was told that because I missed the flight there was nothing that could be done.
I decided to go back to the terminal to see if I could negotiate with a ticket agent.interestingly, by the time I got back to the terminal area, the lines for security were almost gone. It was obviously the case that security had previously been understaffed - either someone didn't show up to work or there was a scheduling mistake. So why won't someone explain what happened? Why doesn't someone say they are sorry. Why won't they take responsibility? Why is it always the fault of the passenger?
Many of my friends experienced real horror because of 911. I have always been resentful that airports in places like SA - where no one was harmed - take advantage of 'security threats' to cover their ineptitude. It's time that it stop and that consumers demand better service for their hard earned dollars and more respect for their time. Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated.
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