Tried to fly RDU -> EWR -> BOS tonite. Connection was 30min, but hey, they booked it, and it was the closest I could get to what I wanted with some points. Anyhow, the first leg was delayed (and delayed, and delayed), due to congestion in the northeast area ("ground hold" and the like). After 3 hours the new airline passenger "bill of rights" kicked in (thank you, Congress) and we did the mandatory return to the gate. I took the option to de-plane, not relishing the thought of spending the night in Newark if I missed the connection to the later flight to BOS (which would have happened unless it too were delayed, which no one could guarantee), and re-booked for tomorrow.

When re-booking, the agent asked when I wanted to go, and I said "the same time". She said "it will be delayed again tomorrow". I'm like "wha' ?!?" She basically said "that flight WILL be delayed all week" and that if I didn't want to be delayed, I should depart before noon. That's a no-go for me, so I booked an early afternoon departure with a 3.5hr connection.

Say what ?? How can this be ? I know we are pretty much turning into a third-world country here in the good ole' USA, but how can airlines run schedules that are guaranteed to fail ? Please be gentle and don't laugh at my naivete ...