Obama Administration Wants Skies to be Friendlier

[LeighAnn]

Source: KTTF Fox Los Angeles

The Obama administration Wednesday proposed sweeping changes to protect U.S. air travelers, including raising the amount airlines have to compensate passengers bumped from full flights to as much as $1,300. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood unveiled a number of proposals for new consumer protections, including a change that would give passengers 24 hours to cancel reservations without penalty.

"Airline passengers have rights and should be able to expect fair and reasonable treatment when they fly," LaHood said during a press conference Wednesday. "With this rulemaking, we're proposing to strengthen the consumer protections enacted last month and raise the bar for airlines when it comes to treating passengers fairly."

Among the proposed changes include increased compensation for passengers involuntarily bumped from flights. Current bumping fees range from $400 to $800.

The new rule would also require airlines to fully and prominently disclose baggage fees, prohibit price increases after a ticket is purchased, and give passengers timely notice of flight status changes. In addition, the proposal extends to foreign airlines a three-hour limit on the time airlines can keep passengers waiting on airport tarmacs.


Read more: http://www.myfoxla.com/dpps/news/obama-administration-wants-skies-to-be-friendlier-dpgonc-20100602-mh_7873116

[izquierdista]

1. And the TSA thugs?

Any rule to turn them into human beings?

[AmericaIsGreat]

2. lol

Wish thinking

[ixion]

6. That would be the Rule that Matters

the rest of this sounds like window dressing, without any significant change.

[iamjoy]

7. Have Some Sympathy for the TSA "Thugs"

How friendly would you be if you had to stand around smelling feet all day?

:crazy:

[AmericaIsGreat]

3. Thank you

We bailed the airlines out almost a decade ago; paid some crazy baggage fees right after that. These proposals are fair.

[Auggie]

4. "Tthree-hour limit (on airport tarmacs)"

You can thank activist Kate Hanni for this

Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugEMGhqvxAc&feature=player_embedded#!

[Jennicut]

5. People being trapped on the tarmac for hours is so, so wrong.

Babies crying (dirty diapers, no formula or milk left), lack of water, toilets overflowing. Just should not be allowed.