Editing Planes, Trains and Automobiles (section)

==Plot==
[[File:Planes trains automobiles route map.svg|thumb|left|The route taken by Del Griffith and Neal Page in the film]]
In New York City, two days before Thanksgiving, advertising executive Neal Page is eager to return to his family in Chicago. After a prolonged business meeting with an indecisive client, Neal struggles to secure a taxi during rush hour. Although he bribes a man to give up a cab he has hailed, another man swoops in and takes it instead.

Neal arrives at [[LaGuardia Airport]] to discover that his flight is delayed. While waiting, he encounters Del Griffith, a chatty and affable shower curtain ring salesman who unknowingly took his cab. Del's overly friendly demeanor immediately clashes with Neal's uptight and repressed personality. Adding to his frustration, Neal's first-class seat is reassigned to a cramped coach seat—right next to Del—on the flight to [[O'Hare International Airport]].

A blizzard in Chicago forces the plane to divert to [[Wichita, Kansas]], leaving Neal and Del stranded overnight. At hotel check-in, they inadvertently swap credit cards. With only one room available, the two are forced to share a double bed. Frustrated by Del's irritating behavior, Neal loses his temper and harshly criticizes him as unlikable. Hurt, Del admits his shortcomings but asserts that he likes himself as he is, as does his wife. His response humbles Neal. While they sleep, a thief breaks into their room and steals their cash.

The next day, with air travel severely delayed, Neal purchases train tickets to Chicago for himself and Del, opting for separate compartments. He bids Del farewell, but their journey is interrupted when the locomotive breaks down near [[Jefferson City, Missouri]], leaving passengers stranded in a field. Spotting Del struggling with his [[Trunk (luggage)|trunk]], Neal decides to help, and the two reunite before traveling by bus to [[St. Louis]]. During a meal, Neal upsets Del by suggesting they continue their journey separately, leading to another parting of ways.

At the [[St. Louis Lambert International Airport|St. Louis Airport]], Neal attempts to rent a car but finds it missing when he reaches the lot. Infuriated, he delivers an expletive-filled tirade to a car rental employee and then attempts to book a taxi to Chicago. He insults the dispatcher, who responds by punching him in the face. By chance, Del arrives in a rental car and offers Neal a ride. That night, Del nearly kills them when he inadvertently drives the wrong way on a freeway. After narrowly avoiding disaster and pulling over, Del's carelessly discarded cigarette ignites the car, setting it ablaze. Neal initially laughs, believing that Del is liable for the damage. However, Del confesses that he found Neal's credit card in his wallet, used it to rent the car, and then returned it to Neal's wallet, which is in the vehicle.

With his credit cards destroyed, Neal barters his expensive watch for a motel room but refuses to help Del. Unable to afford a room, Del attempts to sleep outside in the frigid temperatures and snow. Reflecting aloud, Del laments meeting someone whose company he genuinely enjoys, only to drive them away with his overbearing behavior. Neal feels pity for Del and invites him to share the room. The two bond over drinks, reminiscing about their chaotic journey.

On Thanksgiving Day, the pair continues their journey in the burnt car until the [[Illinois State Patrol]] impounds it for being unroadworthy. Del persuades a [[truck driver]] to give them a ride to Chicago—albeit in the truck's refrigerated trailer. At a [[Chicago "L"]] station, Neal thanks Del for helping him get home, and the two part amicably. However, as Neal rides the commuter train, he reflects on Del's peculiar comments and silences during their journey. Troubled, Neal returns to the station and finds Del sitting alone. Del confesses that he has no permanent home and has been living on the road since his wife's death eight years earlier. Neal brings Del home with him and introduces his family to his new friend.