Airline Regulation
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:40 pm
So no meeting next week because of midterms. The next debate, on January 27th, will focus on Airline Regulation. It's a Model Congress topic and Senators Gagliardi and Mcavaddy will be writing up the bill, which should be posted very promptly.
For now, here's the Airline Regulation Brief:
Introduction
Commercial Airlines are one of the country's premiere businesses, and account for billions of dollars of revenue each year. Millions of people go through the airport terminals each day, and countless citizens use the airlines as a reliable, speedy means of transportation to and from both national and international destinations. Commercial Airlines have been around for a long time, and were seen as early as 1909, when the German Zeppelins were first used as commercial air transportation. Commercial Airliners have undoubtedly come a long way since then, but in recent years, the standards for the aircraft design, sustainability, and inspection have seemingly gone down sufficiently. Though the airlines undoubtedly continue to suffer losses, it is without doubt the consumer that suffers most. With delays and safety regulations being thrown at them without consideration, these consumers suffer time away from their families, and overall wasted time and money. They suffer fatigue and frustration while waiting for hours in a grounded aircraft, only to be taxied back to the gate and off the plane in the end. With these standards on a steady decline, and flight cancellations and delays at an all-time high, many would blame the aircraft companies. Recently, several states have passed legislation concerning these civilians, and their rights while on these corporately-owned aircraft.
Airline Passengers Bill of Rights
In response to a number of delays where passengers suffered lack of ventilation, food, and water, for lengthy time periods, New York passed State legislation concerning the passengers' rights. "As a major international travel hub, it is our duty to take the lead in adopting measures that will ease air travel for passengers," commented then-governor Elliot Spitzer. Among other measures, the bill mandates consumer complaint contact information. This bill took effect on January 1, 2007. On March 25, a Federal appeals court struck it down. It ruled that, through the lack of uniformity in state air travel laws, it would destroy the idea of having a centralized air travel framework. However, Federal law would not face such a threat. Congress now has the choice to pass such a bill which would include an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights. Airlines have already begun to take action voluntarily. JetBlue, in response to the bill, passed its own "Passenger Bill of Rights" which is still in place today. With such action, Congress may decide that such a bill would in fact be unnecessary, as some Airlines have already voluntarily implicated their own "Bill of Rights." Such rights included providing working restroom and free water for delayed flights being held on the tarmac.
FAA and Inspection of Aircraft
Another major issue concerning the passengers is their safety. For instance, evidence has arisen which may suggest that FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) officials inspecting planes were told to allow certain infractions to pass unabated. For instance, it was recently uncovered that Southwest Airlines was flying planes which did not go through the required amount of inspection, and which had faulty wiring. Much of this is not entirely the airline's fault. While it is undoubtedly the airline who committed the offense, it is the FAA's job to catch such malfunctions and infractions when the aircraft undergo inspections; at this, the FAA failed. A story issued by ABC channel 7 news in 2007 suggested that the FAA, in several cases, downplayed or ignored several aircraft malfunctions. Congress should put a stop to this, and a possible overhaul of the FAA could be in order if Congress so decides.
The Security Issue
Especially Post-9/11, security within airports has improved significantly. The most recent implication is a ban on all gels and liquids on a carry-on which exceed 3oz. Such regulations may put a strain on passengers, but they are necessary measures. Congress must find a proper balance between passenger freedoms and security. Recently especially, airport security has always taken precedent over passenger freedoms.
Links and Resources
Federal Aircraft Administration Homepage - http://www.faa.gov/
Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009 (Not yet passed) - http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtex ... l=s111-213
More on the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights - http://www.independenttraveler.com/reso ... ategory=13
Comments on the topic?
For now, here's the Airline Regulation Brief:
Introduction
Commercial Airlines are one of the country's premiere businesses, and account for billions of dollars of revenue each year. Millions of people go through the airport terminals each day, and countless citizens use the airlines as a reliable, speedy means of transportation to and from both national and international destinations. Commercial Airlines have been around for a long time, and were seen as early as 1909, when the German Zeppelins were first used as commercial air transportation. Commercial Airliners have undoubtedly come a long way since then, but in recent years, the standards for the aircraft design, sustainability, and inspection have seemingly gone down sufficiently. Though the airlines undoubtedly continue to suffer losses, it is without doubt the consumer that suffers most. With delays and safety regulations being thrown at them without consideration, these consumers suffer time away from their families, and overall wasted time and money. They suffer fatigue and frustration while waiting for hours in a grounded aircraft, only to be taxied back to the gate and off the plane in the end. With these standards on a steady decline, and flight cancellations and delays at an all-time high, many would blame the aircraft companies. Recently, several states have passed legislation concerning these civilians, and their rights while on these corporately-owned aircraft.
Airline Passengers Bill of Rights
In response to a number of delays where passengers suffered lack of ventilation, food, and water, for lengthy time periods, New York passed State legislation concerning the passengers' rights. "As a major international travel hub, it is our duty to take the lead in adopting measures that will ease air travel for passengers," commented then-governor Elliot Spitzer. Among other measures, the bill mandates consumer complaint contact information. This bill took effect on January 1, 2007. On March 25, a Federal appeals court struck it down. It ruled that, through the lack of uniformity in state air travel laws, it would destroy the idea of having a centralized air travel framework. However, Federal law would not face such a threat. Congress now has the choice to pass such a bill which would include an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights. Airlines have already begun to take action voluntarily. JetBlue, in response to the bill, passed its own "Passenger Bill of Rights" which is still in place today. With such action, Congress may decide that such a bill would in fact be unnecessary, as some Airlines have already voluntarily implicated their own "Bill of Rights." Such rights included providing working restroom and free water for delayed flights being held on the tarmac.
FAA and Inspection of Aircraft
Another major issue concerning the passengers is their safety. For instance, evidence has arisen which may suggest that FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) officials inspecting planes were told to allow certain infractions to pass unabated. For instance, it was recently uncovered that Southwest Airlines was flying planes which did not go through the required amount of inspection, and which had faulty wiring. Much of this is not entirely the airline's fault. While it is undoubtedly the airline who committed the offense, it is the FAA's job to catch such malfunctions and infractions when the aircraft undergo inspections; at this, the FAA failed. A story issued by ABC channel 7 news in 2007 suggested that the FAA, in several cases, downplayed or ignored several aircraft malfunctions. Congress should put a stop to this, and a possible overhaul of the FAA could be in order if Congress so decides.
The Security Issue
Especially Post-9/11, security within airports has improved significantly. The most recent implication is a ban on all gels and liquids on a carry-on which exceed 3oz. Such regulations may put a strain on passengers, but they are necessary measures. Congress must find a proper balance between passenger freedoms and security. Recently especially, airport security has always taken precedent over passenger freedoms.
Links and Resources
Federal Aircraft Administration Homepage - http://www.faa.gov/
Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009 (Not yet passed) - http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtex ... l=s111-213
More on the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights - http://www.independenttraveler.com/reso ... ategory=13
Comments on the topic?