American Airlines handed cookies and juice today to its customers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, but these snacks weren’t provided by flight attendants on planes, rather by ticket agents inside the carrier’s terminal. This wasn’t a part of some kind of promotion for the world’s largest airline, but a small gesture of goodwill in an effort to save face with tens of thousands of stranded passengers nationwide. Yet, for some, it seems, cookies and juice just aren’t going to cut it!

“This is ridiculous. This should have happened a long time ago,”stressed an agitated Nicole Ferrera, in referring to American’s decision to ground 500 flights yesterday, another 850 already today, in order to re-inspect wiring on board the workhorse of its fleet: the MD-80. About half of American’s flights use the MD-80, mostly out of Dallas-Fort Worth and here in Chicago. This is American’s second round of mass cancellations in fewer than two weeks for wiring inspection failures.

American is apologizing for the disruption and footing the bill for things like hotels and meals. But that’s failed to satisfy many weary travelers. “We’re very frustrated and I feel hot … and sick” said a nine-week pregnant Ferrera as she sipped a cup of American provided juice with her husband, Phil, by her side, carrying their son Anthony, who is nearly two years old himself.

Having two little ones myself with twins on the way, I couldn’t help feel terrible for the Ferreras, who took a 90 minute bus ride this morning from Beloit, Wisconsin to catch a flight to Dallas for the 30th birthday party of Nicole’s sister. There’s a baptism this weekend too, and the Ferreras are the godparents. As of this hour, little Anthony seems to be blissfully unaware of this travel fiasco. He has his American airlines provided juice and his cookies … and his pacifier.