Shuttle Services Facing Hard Times. Falling demand has prompted Delta Air Lines and US Airways to scale back their East Coast air shuttles. By Edward Wong. [New York Times: Business]
A particularly poignant story for Lucky, who spent three years on the Delta shuttle, twice weekly. I know all the gate agents, operations supervisors, and flight attendants; it is a very difficult time for them, as it is for so many others these days.
This article reminds me why I like the New York Times; it's great writing:
"Airlines operating East Coast shuttles have traditionally courted travelers with all the zeal of a lovesick bachelor. They hand out free magazines, provide express check-in and sometimes shower frequent fliers with triple miles."
"At some points in the last month, shuttle terminals at La Guardia and Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington have resembled refugee camps for the laptop-and-cellphone set."
And the teary conclusion: "Outside the terminal, Mr. Hennelly joined a long line of men and women in dark suits waiting for cabs. The sun slipped low, and some of the last shuttle jets of the day lifted off over Flushing Bay. There were fewer and fewer of them traversing the skies."
4:57:04 PM 
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