Peter Greenberg, chief correspondent for the Travel Channel and travel editor for the "Today" show, was online Wednesday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m. ET to discuss the travel situation to and from the Gulf Coast region due to Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath and offer advice about what to do about travel plans.
Special Report: Hurricane Katrina
This Week's Internet Airfare Specials (washingtonpost.com, Aug. 31)
A transcript follows.
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washingtonpost.com: Peter Greenberg, thank you for joining us today on washingtonpost.com.
The Gulf Coast, Hurricane Katrina. What should people know about travel in light of the current state of emergency in the affected areas?
Peter Greenberg: the first thing to keep in mind is the fluidity of the situation. some airports are still closed, but may reopen by Friday. the hotel situation is much more complex. many are damaged. others are closed because of no services or infrastructure. assumption in situations like this is the worst thing you can do. do not depend just on Web sites or departure boards. think the "process" of travel. for example, if no airplane is landing at your departure gate, you aren't going anywhere, no matter what the departure board says.
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Ithaca, N.Y.: Have plans to vacation in New Orleans beginning of November 05 -- should I cancel?
Peter Greenberg: based on the damage I've seen so far, it seems unlikely, even if all the water is drained from the city, that all the infrastructure can get up to speed in time. November seems like it might be too soon. however, never underestimate the resilience and the recovery of a population that is so dependent upon travel and tourism. they might just pleasantly surprise us, and after all we need to support them.
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Hyattsville, Md.: How bad are the roads through Mississippi? My brother's planning to try to run some generators from Atlanta to Hattisburg and the North Shore and we're figuring there are going to be some road issues. Also are curfews/travel restrictions in effect outside of the Greater NO and Mississippi Gulf Coast areas?
Peter Greenberg: if you're thinking of using local roads, you might have serious trouble. keep in mind that the first roads to open will be the interstate, because they are crucial to maintaining basic supplies and services
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Pittsburgh, Pa.: Mr. Greenberg,
I read an article today about cab drivers asking for a $1,000 -- that's one-thousand-dollar fare -- to ferry customers from the relatively dry French Quarter to the airport. I thought most major cities have a set of rules that all cabbies must follow in terms of fares, appearance, etc. I know New Orleans has many more important things to worry about, but do you think this issue of cabbie-gouging will be addressed by New Orleans tourist officials once things settle down?
Peter Greenberg: I haven't heard of much gouging, and besides, there's no way to get to the airport in new Orleans! there will always be some gouging, as there has been some looting, but I think that on balance, the numbers are very very low
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Alexandria, Va.: I'm scheduled for a cruise out of N.O. after Thanksgiving. Do you think flights to and cruises from are likely to operating then?
Also, would travel insurance cover me in a case where cruises were cancelled due to Katrina's aftermath?
Peter Greenberg: yes, I fully expect the airport and the port to be up and operating within a week to two weeks.
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Potomac, Md.: Hi, Peter
How has the hurricane been affecting domestic flights overall? Are there many delays because of rerouting from closed airports in the Gulf region?
Thanks.
Peter Greenberg: there has been some rerouting because a number of air traffic control towers are under water or down. this has resulted in manual rerouting on some flights, but the system seems to be working relatively well, all things considered
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Washington, D.C.: Is New Orleans International Airport open?
Peter Greenberg: my information is that it is not open. American and others are still not flying there today, but hope to by Friday.
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Laurel, Md.: What information do you have about possibly permanent damage to the major tourist sites?
Peter Greenberg: the prognosis at this point is not good for many of these sites. water damage can be substantial and is often worse than wind damage. once the water can be drained, we'll have a better handle on the long term situation.
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Washington, D.C.: Hello Mr. Greenberg. We were planning a wedding in the Quarter on the 18th of November (this year). As it happens, we have dates held for us, but no contracts signed, money down, etc. And very fortunately, we haven't sent out invitations and have a back-up venue here in D.C. What's your opinion -- should we give up the NOLA wedding idea now or give them some time to recover? (we're on opposite sides of the fence here, so your opinion counts!)
Peter Greenberg: I wish I could tell you that I know for sure that November 18th will be fine for you, but I must stress that this is substantial damage in new Orleans, and we won't really know the long term extent of the damage for at least four or five more days, when they can drain the water. the good news, for you, is that I don't believe there will be a rush of new reservations to compete with yours for that date, so my advice is to get a plan B in place, and then, with luck NOLA will shine through and you'll be ok. you CAN wait for five days, yes? and after all, how many times do you get married?
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Fairfax, Va.: Are you planning on going to the area for your own look-see?
Peter Greenberg: yes. should be down there in a day or two
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Santa Cruz, Calif.: All of the coverage has been about the large cities; Ocean Springs is 14 miles east of Gulfport, and my friend owns a home about one mile inland there, in Gulf Park Estates. Do you know the status of this neighborhood / area?
Peter Greenberg: I don't, but if you know the address, or zip code, try google.earth.com, and you might be able to access an up to date satellite photo of your friend's house, or location
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Wheeling, W.Va.: Peter,
I've always dreamed of going to New Orleans. Now after hearing about all the reports of looting, the Children's Hospital under siege by street hoodlums, etc., I have no desire to EVER go there, even after the clean-up. Can New Orleans ever repair this bad image that these locals are giving it?
Peter Greenberg: despite the strong visual images of some isolated looting
would
judgment on your part until the folks in new orleans Orleanschance to recover. i, for oIe, will DEFINITELY return. first, to support the people who live there who very much need our help and support, and second, because when you (and i mean YIU) go there, you also get to live the bayou dream, and believe me, it's worth it.
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Jessup, Md.: What moron came up with the idea of busing people to the Astrodome? Is this the idea that citizens are cattle? Certainly there must be housing on military bases or subsidies or something that the federal and state governments can do to provide a decent recovery for these people.
Peter Greenberg: in fairness, a look at the general topography of a city that started out BELOW sea level didn't give authorities many options. besides, keep in mind that the Superdome was only designed to serve as a "last resort" shelter for people who didn't evacuate.
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Bethesda, Md.: How much of an overall dent in the travel business will Hurricane Katrina be responsible for?
Peter Greenberg: it won't be a dent. it will be a huge blow. on meetings and convention business alone, it's a significant revenue loss -- something that can never be recouped. in my estimation, the financial recovery could take three to five years....
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washingtonpost.com: Google Earth/
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Silver Spring, Md.: My son was supposed to go to NOL on Friday for a conference. It was postponed almost immediately. Now I'm wondering about the airfare. Of course the ticket was non-refundable on U.S. Airways. Think they'll give us any slack? I'm wishing I'd bought him one on Southwest, they're nicer about these things.
Peter Greenberg: us airways, like other carriers, is waiving cancellation and rebooking fees. and, if they give you any trouble at all, sign on the MY NBC newsletter, travelnewstoday.com and we'll fight that battle for you. fair enough?
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Jessup, Md.: I'm sorry, you misunderstood my question. Now they plan to bus them to the Astrodome. It's a scandal in my view.
Peter Greenberg: well, I doubt that bus idea will last more than a day
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Orlando, Fla.: We need to evacuate our elderly sick aunt and uncle from their home in Gulf Port to Jacksonville. What roads are best? Is there gas? Is there gas in northern Florida?
Peter Greenberg: there is gas in northern Florida. and most of the interstates that were affected (except in areas where entire bridges and causeways were wiped out) are beginning to open...
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Washington, D.C.: My elderly aunt didn't evacuate before the storm. She lives on St. Charles Street. My husband is driving towards New Orleans to try to get her and her cats out of her apartment. Will he be able to just drive up and get her? Are there detailed flood maps of the city?
Peter Greenberg: no, he will not. the city is in an official locked down state. he needs to contact the red cross immediately with her exact location and medical condition so they can go in and get her
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washingtonpost.com: Travel News Today
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Washington, D.C.: Do you think the airlines will do special deals in order to encourage travel to the states in the Gulf?
Peter Greenberg: the answer is yes, but way too early to expect that to happen. we are still in the middle of rescue and recovery.
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washingtonpost.com: American Red Cross
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Laurel, Md.: What's your general response to people who wish to travel to the Gulf area right now? Wait? Go? What if it's an emergency?
Peter Greenberg: unless it is an absolute emergency, do NOT go. check online to various Web sites (operationusa.com, airlineamb.org, or even the today show Web site at today.msnbc.com) to determine what help is needed, where you can contribute, and how (and how fast!)
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Arlington, Va.: Not sure if you heard, but on washingtonpost's headline article -- 'New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said on ABC's "Good Morning America" that "we are looking at 12 to 16 weeks" before people can return to the city'. Perhaps your estimates of the city returning to a quasi-normal state are a little ambitious?
Peter Greenberg: someone asked me about November. that's 12 weeks away. in a city that is so totally dependent upon travel and tourism, the economic stakes are so high that it might help to accelerate the rebuilding. no guarantees, but that's why I said November at the earliest
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Peter Greenberg: Thanks for letting me be part of the chat today. I will continue to report on Katrina on the Today show and Travel Channel, and look for the latest updates on TravelNewsToday.com as news develops. Again, thanks, Peter Greenberg.
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Washington, D.C.: Peter, My wedding is scheduled to take place in the French Quarter on Oct. 22nd. When should I expect to be able to contact my vendors. Should I just start making other arrangements now? Thanks!
Peter Greenberg: Absolutely. Make other arrangements. The damage to New Orleans is just too great.
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washingtonpost.com: Airline Ambassadors/
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washingtonpost.com: Today Show
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Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
: Guest: Dr. Michael S. Horton