CDG musical chairs

We have never been enthusiastic fans of Charles de Gaulle International Airport (Roissy CDG) in Paris. In the past, our complaints — which were mainly about the lack of or inoperable ATMs and poor signage to car rental offices — while adding up to considerable dissatisfaction, could have been taken individually as a bit of nitpicking, but observations have compelled me to write.

We took an American Airlines flight homeward from CDG on May 30, 2007. The airline advised us to check in three hours ahead of time, which we did. We actually arrived in time to have a nice lunch before proceeding through security.

Our departure lounge was at Gate 41. In the past, we have had difficulty finding seats while awaiting flights at CDG. This time, I did some counting. I found 47 seats available for a flight of about 200 people. Those fortunate enough to have seats didn’t dare leave them without a guardian.

There are several departure areas in CDG that present the same problem. A few years ago we faced the same situation on an Air France flight.

We don’t know what the airport can do to alleviate this situation, but it certainly makes for groups of tired, frustrated and irritated passengers facing long flights home.

DON KINSER
Hillsboro, OR