two planes had just landed at frankford west germany. they just landed a few moments ago. buses will take the hostages the last few miles. this journey began this morning as two algears jets lifted in tehran airport. >> the hostages have been waiting hours, some have known for days they were to be freed others were told just minutes in advance. the americans had to pass of lengths of american students chanting death to america. each hostage was carefully held at the bus until the student cheer leader could organize another round of cheering. the faces of american showed guarded emotions running from bemusement to irony to downright anger. for 14 months they'd been captive it must have been hard to believe this was truly the beginning of the end. for some hostages the realization began to sink in as soon as they walked through the door of the algerean airliner. in fact, it was here parked on the runway that the hostages became returnees. the first step began when the negotiators shifted responsibility from the hostages out of iranian's hands. as more americans came on board