Airline Passengers Get a Bill of Rights–Better Late than Never!

December 21st, 2009. By LucyC

When I read the headline this morning I thought they were describing a United Nations or World Health Organization intervention. “Airlines must supply food, water after 2 hours, maintain operable lavatories” (msnbc.com). But no—the Obama administration has developed some regulations to protect domestic air travelers. 

In fact, the Transportation Department has ordered US passenger airlines operating domestic flights to let passengers deplane if they’ve been stuck in a plane on the tarmac for three hours. Three hours is still a long time, mind you, especially if you’re flying at the back of the bus, but it’s better than the current time limit—which is FOREVER. 

According to the report on msnbc—some 613 planes were delayed on US tarmacs in the first six months of 2009—January to June. Not surprisingly, there are horror stories aplenty from passengers stranded in hot, crowded planes for hours—even overnight—while the problem that caused the aborted take-off is fixed—best case scenario. 

Of course there’s always the chance that the problem can’t be fixed in your lifetime, so after many hours in cramped quarters the crew finally announce that they’re setting you free—free to find accommodation or forage for food…but you mustn’t go far…who are they kidding? Where are you going to go? At this time of year you’re likely stuck in airport land, which itself is in the middle of some snowed-in wasteland that would require a National Guard rescue to get you out. Actually, it’s quite ironic being told not to go too far, as that was, presumably, the point of the exercise in the first place. 

I digress. 

So the new rules state, according to media reports, that airlines operating US domestic flights can ‘only’ keep passengers on board the plane for three hours, AND within the first two hours they must provide passengers with food and water and maintain operable toilets, (that’s assuming of course, that the toilets were operable when you boarded). What I want to know is why they have to feed us after two hours on the ground but not after two hours in the air—or four hours for that matter? How many times have you experienced the pretzel meal replacement? The way they hand those things out you’d have thought they were actually good for you. 

I digress again… 

The Obama administration has also stipulated, apparently, that the airlines will not be allowed to schedule chronically delayed flights—in other words—they must reschedule the flight? Not really sure what that means—hopefully there will be an explanation forthcoming. The implications are a little scary… 

And, if you’re kept on the plane for more than three hours, the airline will be fined $27,500 per passenger per violation. Where does that money go? 

In any event—it’s a start—a ‘passenger bill of rights’—which doesn’t go into effect for 120 days by the way—so you’re not covered this Christmas season. Ho Ho Ho! 

So, if you find yourself stuck on the tarmac over the holidays, just remember your airline passenger mantra: “Better Late than Never.” 

Happy Holidays!

Tags: Air Travel, Airlines

This was posted on Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 5:03 pm and is filed under Airlines . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.