A recent poll on Airfarewatchdog.com revealed that 48% of respondents think that airlines should be re-regulated. Whether or not that ever happens, there are some things that airlines get away with that we believe need to be addressed by government regulations.
1. If an airline changes its schedule before you depart on a trip, and such schedule change no longer suits your schedule, the airline must secure you transportation on another airline at your original fare.
2. If an airline changes its schedule and you are forced to spend money on hotels and meals, such as a forced overnight midway in your trip, the airline must pick up the bill.
3. If an airline cancels a flight and you're traveling on a frequent flyer ticket, any fees associated with that fare must be refunded.
4. If you are due a refund or any kind from an airline, said refund must be paid in full in 30 days.
5. If your flight is delayed or canceled due to anything within the airline's reasonable control, the airline must provide adequate lodging, meals, and transportation. It must also put you on another airline's flight if that flight will get you to your destination sooner than your original airline's next flight out.
6. If an airline loses or delays your checked luggage, all checked bag fees must be refunded in full within 30 days, in cash.
7. If you are stuck on the runway for more than three hours, your flight must return to the gate and all passengers be allowed to disembark.
8. If a passenger buys a non-refundable ticket, and said passenger dies or becomes too ill to ever travel again, passenger's fare must be refunded in full within 30 days, and all traveling companions must also have their fares refunded.
What else should we add to the list? Now be reasonable! And add your comments below.
On my last flight from Central America people were coughing a lot and sneezing. They did not have the moral obligation to even attempt to cover their mouth. You can feel the wind and bits of slivia as it passes by your face. It is gross. Now with Swine Flu? How do we educate? Send them to Japan where people wear masks even if they think they have a sinus infection.
I will give credit to Continental, they must be listening :) The flight had a number of overweights and babies/kids all the way to the back of plane. Way to go!
And my seat on this Brand New 737 was plenty wide. If someone does not fit, it is not the seat problem, it is the size of the person. But, It seems, Boeing has forgot how to make the seats recline sufficiently.
This plane had no music system or TV. A good idea for saving costs and maintenance! They actually served a meal on Domestic Flight. :)
I do have problem with baggage handling, The baggage personal have been told to throw all bags upside down. My question is: If the luggage manufacturers design bags with a top and bottom for one reason, that the bag has a hard bottom and soft top to withstand punishment from travel. How dumb can our management of baggage be? I know your answer, The bags travel better upside down. Bull Crap! If the luggage was supposed to be upside down it would have been designed that way. I suggest the manuf. begin to install a bottom on both sides on all new luggage. Ha, This will confuse the heck out of baggage personal.
But I'll play. Forget refunding checked bag fees. Outlaw them. Airlines should do everything they can to encourage passengers to check bags, so you don't have the yahoos intent on bringing all their earthly belongings down the aisle. More checked bags mean more on-time departures and less inconvenience for other passengers, which should increase the profitability and competitiveness of the airline.
Also, you should not be allowed to play your dvd player/laptop without headphones. I am AMAZED by how many people think this is ok. Until my last flight, I thought this only happened with kids, until I sat behind a professional woman who cranked up her Dave Matthews Band while she typed away until I finally asked her to turn it down - I could hear it over my own iPod headphones!!
I wish each passenger was given a "total weight" to fly - you & your bags have to way less than XYZ. I am so sick of sharing my seat with someone's large body rolling into my area. This would also work well for kids!