The Journal

Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial

Scott Harres

As a result of inhumane practices committed by American Airlines and JetBlue, there has been a recent push for the passage of an Airline Passenger's Bill of Rights.


Since December 2006 there have been two incidents in which passengers were stranded on the tarmac for nearly 10 hours. Without the freedom to leave the plane, these passengers were deprived of food, water and sanitary bathroom conditions while only steps away from the loading gate.


While it's easy to sympathize with this push for written rights, it's going to be interesting to see just how these rights are enforced, how it affects the rights of other forms of travel and, most importantly, how seriously Congress takes this movement.


The bill is very logical and would give some power back to customers of federally regulated commercial airlines. The main problem, though, is whether or not Congress and the airlines will take this legislation seriously.


As of Feb. 20, U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., introduced the "Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2007." Ensured in this act is a passenger's right to deplane after three hours. The bill also requires that airlines provide passengers with food, clean water and adequate bathroom facilities while delays are taking place.


It seems today that airlines have given up on showing compassion. Everyone has their own horror story. There are few who haven't grumbled of a long layover or griped over the crying baby three rows back. With the way airlines, from the higher-ups all the way down to the check-in desk, arrogantly treat their customers, it seems as though a smooth flight is an anomaly.


The passengers from the American Airlines flight in Austin, Texas, waited for eight hours on the tarmac before they were finally allowed to deplane. They then waited for two hours at the baggage claim before they discovered the luggage would remain on the plane until the morning departure. Each passenger, however, received compensation for their troubles - a $10 voucher for overnight lodging - hardly compensation for the time wasted and the asinine price paid for the ticket.


It is also interesting to note that this bill would only come into affect after a passenger steps onto a plane. Until that moment, passengers are still forced to abandon nearly all of their rights due to the Aviation and Transportation Security Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush on Nov. 19, 2001 following the events of Sept. 11.

Continued...

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