Flights From Hell

Ever since 9-11, the nation has lived in fear of another terror attack. No one seemed to know what form it would take, but many considered the airlines to be particularly vulnerable. And the general consensus was that another attack on that industry would destroy it.

The current holiday travel season has proved to be a disaster for many travelers. US Scareways, already operating under bankruptcy protection, managed to lose 10,000 pieces of luggage over Christmas. Airline officials blame the weather, but others suspect that the company's difficulties with some of its unions was behind it.

Comair, a regional carrier connected to Delta Airlines, suffered a complete breakdown of its computer system. The result was a cancellation of ALL its flights on the 25th.

Not content to remain competent, Northwest has now joined the party. One of its jets, flying from Amsterdam to Seattle, was forced to land at Moses Lake, Washington because of weather problems at its destination airport. Unfortunately, Moses Lake doesn't have customs inspectors and the passengers were forced to remain on the plane. During the course of what would eventually turn into a 28 hour flight, food and water began to run short, and the toilets stopped working. Local sheriffs' deputies eventually sealed off part of the terminal, and the passengers were allowed into that portion of the building. And just in case all that wasn't fun enough, the pilots ran up against a FAA rule which limits how many consecutive hours they can work. A fresh crew had to be brought in from Minnesota so the flight could eventually continue on to Seattle.

Not wanting to miss out on the party, now comes word that United's flight attendants have authorized a strike if the airline voids their contract.

Hell, at this rate, Osama won't have to lift a finger to destroy the airline industry!