The Consumerist reports that members of the House Committee on Rules are scheduled to meet tomorrow regarding an air Passengers Bill of Rights (right now, New York has it’s own bill, but that’s about it). Before we get too excited, it’s important to point out that the committee is meeting to decide “which amendments are worthy of floor consideration.”
It might be a small step in the right direction. However, Congress and the airlines seem to share one thing in common that could draw this process out for a very long time; a fondness for vague language. Here is how the meeting is touted on the Rules Committee’s website:
The Committee on Rules is expected to meet Wednesday, September 19, 2007 to report a rule which may structure the amendment process for floor consideration of H.R. 2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007.
It “may” structure the amendment process, it may not. They’re “expected” to meet, but who can ever really be sure?
This is a story that I am very interested in, and I hope to have some positives to report on, but it’s far too early to tell. I’ll keep you informed as I learn more.
If the house is focusing on HR 2881, then have they forgotten HR 1356? This is the finance reform legislation for the FAA. The major focus is on funding from 2008-2010, however there are portions extending the taxes that end on September 30, 2007.
Flight Segment Tax $3.40
Ticket Tax 7.5%
http://www.airlines.org/economics/taxes/DomTicketTax.htm
US International Departure & Arrival Tax
http://www.airlines.org/economics/taxes/IntlDepartureArrivalTaxes.htm
So will it be cheaper to buy fares on Oct 1?
Comment by David M. — September 19, 2007 @ 10:19 pm