Stranded air passengers' plight spurs action from Washington

The nation's top transportation official Tuesday demanded answers from Continental Airlines about why 47 passengers were trapped overnight on a grounded jet in Rochester, Minn., this past weekend.

"Reasonable people are outraged at the idea of being stuck on a small plane for [six] hours," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wrote in his official blog. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar also seized on the incident, asking the Federal Aviation Administration for a "swift response" and asking the two airlines involved to give passengers a "complete and candid explanation" for what happened.

The two U.S. Senate sponsors of the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights also weighed in, saying the case underscored the need for Congress to act quickly on the legislation.

Continental Flight 2816 was redirected to the Rochester airport because of severe weather at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport late Friday. It arrived from Houston about midnight, and passengers weren't allowed off the 50-seat plane in Rochester until 6 a.m. Saturday. The flight didn't reach its Twin Cities destination until after 11 a.m.

Passenger Link Christin described the experience as a "nightmare," saying that passengers weren't given any food during the wait, and that the toilet and babies on board began to smell.

LaHood said in his blog that he has written to the airline "inquiring into the circumstances [of the] extended delay."

Continental spokeswoman Julie King said the airline is declining to comment for now about LaHood's blog entry but added, "We are working ... to respond quickly to his inquiry." King added that Continental continues "to take full responsibility." link....