Lawmaker Calling For Change After Passengers From Diverted Flight Stranded In PHL Overnight
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A lawmaker is calling for changes at U.S. Customs after a plane full of passengers got stuck in Philadelphia for hours on Friday.
The international flight was bound for JFK in New York but was diverted to Philadelphia because of bad weather late Friday.
The passengers, including actor Jeremy Piven, were held on the tarmac then transferred to a holding area until Customs opened at 5 a.m. on Saturday.
Senator Chuck Schumer says the situation was unacceptable.
"I'll be contacting Customs immediately. There ought to be some people from Customs on duty so in case there's a diversion, they can go there," Schumer says. "For people to have to sleep in the Philadelphia airport simply because a couple of Customs people weren't there doesn't make sense."
British Airways has apologized for the delay, but says safety is its top priority.