MyDD :: The Need for a Passengers' Bill of Rights

The Need for a Passengers' Bill of Rights

by Rep John Hall, Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:47:17 PM EST

We've all heard airline horror stories, and, chances are, you've experienced one yourself. A lucky minority of us have never had a flight delayed or canceled, been stuck on an airport runway, or spent the night sleeping on a waiting room floor.

As air travel keeps getting more unpleasant and the skies more congested, the passage of a real Passenger's Bill of Rights is becoming more and more necessary. Yesterday I, along with the Coalition for an Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights, participated in a "strand-in" on the National Mall that simulated the cramped, hot conditions of an airplane stuck on the tarmac to make a point about the importance of passing airline passenger-protecting legislation.

Today such legislation passed in the form of House H.R. 2881; the FAA Reauthorization Act, which incorporates important elements of the Passenger Bill of Rights. This bill takes some key first steps in implementing some common sense consumer protections that are part of the Passenger Bill of Rights. It ensures that airlines and airports develop emergency contingency plans for delayed flights, and reduce over-scheduling to help prevent such delays. The bill would guarantee stranded passengers access to food, water, and clean restroom and medical services, as well as direct the United States Department of Transportation to establish a customer complaint hotline.

Procedures for allowing passengers to safely exit an aircraft in the event of a lengthy tarmac delay would also be instituted. This is welcome relief. Anyone who has ever been involved in such a delay can relate to the frustration of being told to remain in your seat - in many cases for hours on end while the plane goes nowhere. In the name of transparancy, this bill would require the Secretary of Transportation to collect and publish monthly data on flight delays and cancellations on the Department of Transportation website.

This is great news for air passengers, but it's just the first step. We need to finish the work and enact a full Passenger's Bill of Rights, a charge my friends Rep. Mike Thompson and Senator Barbara Boxer have been leading. I'll keep you posted on our progress, but I wanted to let you know that help for airline passengers is on the way.

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Me in front of the mock plane.

Tags: John Hall, consumer protection, airline, Congress (all tags)

Permalink :: 14 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: The Need for a Passengers' Bill of Rights (2.00 / 1)

Thanks, John, for coming by and for the legislation. Hope you are a regular here.

The Albany Project. The best damned blog about New York State politics.

by NYBri on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:51:22 PM EST

Good to See You (2.00 / 1)

hope all is well!

http://www.johnedwards.com/nh

by epv72 on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 06:29:54 PM EST

Re: The Need for a Passengers' Bill of Rights (2.00 / 1)

I'm brand spanking new to MyDD myself, Congressman. I'll race you to the top of the recommended list, ha.

I saw the post and wanted to register to throw my two cents in; yes, sometimes delays are unavoidable, but the lack of announced information communicates a fundamental disrespect on the part of the Airlines.

Further, that attitude is pervasive- we see it from car mechanics to the president- and it speaks volumes about our poor judgement of people's tolerance and ability to handle bad information.

That's a larger issue, a cultural problem; it's the chronic inability or unwillingness to be the bearer of bad news. I see this as a small step to address that larger problem, so for that, Congressman, thanks.

by Think Gooder on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 06:32:19 PM EST

Re: The Need for a Passengers' Bill of Rights (2.00 / 1)

That sounds like a good bill. Glad to see you posting here.

And sincere thanks for your pledge not to fund this disastrous war any longer.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 06:33:16 PM EST

Thanks Congressman! (2.00 / 1)

Thanks you Congressman Hall,
You have been a fantastic congressman for our district, I hope you stop by often!

Thanks

by MrMacMan on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 08:02:15 PM EST

Re: The Need for a Passengers' Bill of Rights (none / 0)

I'm glad there aren't better things to focus on, like universal health care or ending the war in Iraq...

The sharpest criticism often goes hand in hand with the deepest idealism and love of country. ~RFK

by Vox Populi on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 08:06:14 PM EST

Re: The Need for a Passengers' Bill of Rights (none / 0)

wow, really?

The first diary of a Congressman and were already on attack mode?

by MrMacMan on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 09:08:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Need for a Passengers' Bill of Rights (none / 0)

That's not how I meant it to be. I'm a big opponent of this Passenger's Bill of Rights. It's not an important piece of legislation in my opinion, and is in fact an attack on the industry in which I work.

Airline customers want low fares and lots of flight options. That causes delays. The alternative is a reduced flight schedule and higher fares, which people would also bitch about.

The sharpest criticism often goes hand in hand with the deepest idealism and love of country. ~RFK

by Vox Populi on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 09:22:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Need for a Passengers' Bill of Rights (none / 0)

so either way... people get screwed by delays and will still complain.

by MrMacMan on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 11:23:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Need for a Passengers' Bill of Rights (none / 0)

It's the nature of the consumer to complain. In the 1980's, fares were high and schedules were nowhere near as packed as they are today. Now, consumers expect flights every hour AND they expect low fares. They also expect first class service and on-time departures.

Nearly all the airlines have declared bankruptcy in the past few years. Employees have lost their pensions, been laid off, and taken wage reductions and are working more hours. More government regulation in the name of "consumer protection" will damage the industry further. More complaints equals more government fines and more employees that get laid off.

People will always complain. No bill is going to change that. This will just make it easier.

The sharpest criticism often goes hand in hand with the deepest idealism and love of country. ~RFK

by Vox Populi on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 11:49:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Need for a Passengers' Bill of Rights (none / 0)

Wow, pledging not to approve one more dime in funding for the war isn't enough for you? It's rough sledding in the blogosphere!

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 09:14:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Now here is an example (none / 0)

of a diary that should be rec'd and commented on.

Thank you!

Washington Woman
theocracywatch.org
EENR Blog

by kevin22262 on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 08:22:16 PM EST

Re: The Need for a Passengers' Bill of Rights (none / 0)

The right not to get tasered.

by Pravin on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 12:05:25 AM EST

Re: The Need for a Passengers' Bill of Rights (none / 0)

How about the right to take liquids on air. The restriction is way too paranoid. How about the right not to wear seatbelts. Are we going to travel in daily discomfort for a freakish possibility of getting hurt and surviving a plane accident without warning?

I want to LIVE. Not be treated like sheep.

by Pravin on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 12:07:22 AM EST

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