The Dept. of Transportation wants to hear from YOU. And I have no doubt, they’ll also be hearing from the airlines (that’ll be the screaming you hear – okay, just kidding – kind of).
Anyway, the DOT has a whole host of newly proposed regulations to “enhance” the airline passenger experience, and they’d like to know how you feel about it. So do I for that matter.
You can see all the details on these proposed airline rules on Dept. of Transportation site, but here are a few of the highlights (I think you’ll like these):
- BUMPING COMPENSATION: It could be raised to between $650 and $1,300; or the DOT might just toss out those limits and reimburse fliers between 100% and 200% the cost of their tickets – and bumping compensation could also be provided to frequent fliers using “free” tickets
- BAG FEES: Passengers might be compensated for bag fees if they get bumped or flights are canceled
- LOST BAGS: If bags aren’t delivered to passengers in a timely manner, there could be an additional payout
- NO PENALTY TICKET CANCELATIONBS: Make and cancel reservations within 24 hours and maybe get a total refund (some airlines already do this, including Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, United, US Airways, and Virgin America)
- TRANSPARENCY: The DOT wants the government to show the true price of airline ticket, meaning the base plus those taxes and fees (FareCompare always shows the full price of an airline ticket)
- PEANUTS: They might, once and for all, ban peanuts on planes
Want to comment on these proposed airline rules? You have 60 days to do so. You’ll need this docket number – DOT-OST-2010-0140 – then head the this site at http://www.regulations.gov and they’ll tell you what you need to do.
See my longer piece on the proposed airline rules, which includes my take on what is prompting all this.
RE: Proposed new rules
Unfortunately the one thing I would like to see is a return to the free first bag across the board with all carriers (to include free carry-on. This would likely cause the airlines to 1) jack up ticket prices further or 2) cry “foul”–that the government is interfering with business plans.
WOW, it’s about time! There’s no other retail ‘store’ sector that can treat their customers so shabbilly, so why should they be allowed?
I esp like the transparency clause. In any other industry, their current practice would be called misleading advertising & subject to heavy fines.
I like the no penalty ticket cancellations too. After all, this opens up seats for last minute bookers & makes more money for the airlines anyway.
I also agree with frequent flyer (ff) passengers getting compensation if they’re bumped. After all, they had to pay cash for about half the ticket for taxes & fees, so it wasn’t a ‘free’ ticket. As a ff myself, I always get nervous at departure time knowing I could be bumped first – no fair.
Karen,
I just don’t see that happening (a free first checked-bag); the airlines just make too much money from that to stop now.
Cheers,
Rick
rainby,
If you like what you see, you should comment on it. I have no doubt the airlines will be making themselves heard.
Cheers,
Rick