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Thank you to Ray La Hood and the others at the DOT for putting forward these sensible rules. I would be VERY much in favor of:
-Requiring carriers to reimburse baggage fees when luggage is delayed or lost (and defining how long a delay is on a piece of luggage)
-Setting one set of minimum customer service standards for all airlines that fly within US airspace (a LONG overdue step)
-Refunding ticket costs when there’s a significant delay (the time limits suggested seem reasonable to me)
-Requiring carriers to disclose the history of flights before a ticket is purchased
I also agree with others who have suggested that if the airline changes your itinerary after you’ve paid, you should have the right to get a full refund on that trip.
I think these are appropriate for both foreign and domestic flights, and should be part of the carriers contract of carriage.
For those arguing that regulating the industry will raise prices, I’d suggest they look at the history of other regulated injuries. Often the changes industry have had to implement to comply with government regulations have led to them becoming more efficient organizations. And in these cases prices have gone down not up.
Remember, the airlines are not just carrying cargo, they’re transporting human beings. And it’s important that there be enforceable standards for how these humans are to be treated when in the sky. I, for one, am happy to see the end of this “Wild West” of the American airline industry.
Regina: no one expects perfection. But the way slots are allotted at airports has created monopolies in many markets. So there is, in reality, no “competition” which would solve the problems consumers are having in the air. Its time for the government to step in and make sure that passengers are treated respectfully and that codes of conduct are standardized across the industry.
If you look at the history of other industries you’ll find that government regulations have not caused prices to rise. In fact, regulations have forced these industries to be more efficient and prices have actually dropped. So I think this argument is a spurious one.
Thank you to Ray La Hood and the others at the DOT for putting forward these sensible rules. I would be VERY much in favor of:
-Requiring carriers to reimburse baggage fees when luggage is delayed or lost (and defining how long a delay is on a piece of luggage)
-Setting one set of minimum customer service standards for all airlines that fly within US airspace (a LONG overdue step)
-Refunding ticket costs when there’s a significant delay (the time limits suggested seem reasonable to me)
-Requiring carriers to disclose the history of flights before a ticket is purchased
I also agree with others who have suggested that if the airline changes your itinerary after you’ve paid, you should have the right to get a full refund on that trip.
I think these are appropriate for both foreign and domestic flights, and should be part of the carriers contract of carriage.
For those arguing that regulating the industry will raise prices, I’d suggest they look at the history of other regulated injuries. Often the changes industry have had to implement to comply with government regulations have led to them becoming more efficient organizations. And in these cases prices have gone down not up.
Remember, the airlines are not just carrying cargo, they’re transporting human beings. And it’s important that there be enforceable standards for how these humans are to be treated when in the sky. I, for one, am happy to see the end of this “Wild West” of the American airline industry.
You make an excellent point! I hope this is also considered by the DOT
Regina: no one expects perfection. But the way slots are allotted at airports has created monopolies in many markets. So there is, in reality, no “competition” which would solve the problems consumers are having in the air. Its time for the government to step in and make sure that passengers are treated respectfully and that codes of conduct are standardized across the industry.
If you look at the history of other industries you’ll find that government regulations have not caused prices to rise. In fact, regulations have forced these industries to be more efficient and prices have actually dropped. So I think this argument is a spurious one.