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8 Airline Regulations We Need Now

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8 Airline Regulations We Need Now

Posted by George Hobica on Friday, April 10, 2009

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.

Categories: Airline Industry News

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A person carrying small dog was told the dog's carrier would not fit under the seat in front of him. He was told he HAD to purchase another carrier..he was escorted off the plane AIRTRAN. We spoke about the fact he had no money to invest in another carrier. I suggested he ask for a loaner which he did and was promply given a brand new carrier. My question is Why was he not told of this?? Why did he have to miss his Flight?? Ironic !!he used the same Airtran to get to the ATL.
by retired99 on Saturday, July 25, 2009
Wow. all really good stuff! Maybe if the airlines provided the same level of service that Zappos does, they'd make money. And sell to Amazon!
by on Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Require minimum seat size and spacing, and minimum exit row size. I just got off an I-hate-Delta flight. The exit row on both flights were so small, that you could never get out in an emergency. The seats are so crammed, that even kids over 8 had issues. People can't control what size they are - genetics are tough to fight. Would you like someone telling you you had to grow 4 inches to get on the plane ? If seat widths and spacing were reasonable, everyone would have more comfort and breathing space, and less aggravation from surrounding passengers. If staff could approach a civil attitude - or even pleasant .... customers may actually choose to fly your airline. Are you listening, Delta ? I'll be on Southwest from now on.
by Wings on Monday, April 27, 2009
Alcdan, Of course you can? Why not? They got paid for the RT and can probably sell your return seat to someone else if they have people waiting on standby.
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.

by Jake on Sunday, April 26, 2009
I have found that a one way ticket can be far more expensive than round trip. If one selects a different mode of transportation on one leg can you just ash can that portion of the ticket and get on with it?
by Alcdan on Thursday, April 23, 2009
Grok, An excellent idea! Try to get more people to check bags ( Of course at No/Cost) instead of less. You are so right in my flight yesterday many people were trying to drag two large bags and stuff them into the overhead. It slowed down the boarding time and the plane was late to leave because of all the bags carried on the plane.

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.

by Jake on Thursday, April 23, 2009
THE THIRTY DAY RULE IS USED IN EVERY BUSINESS INCLUDING GOVERNMENT MONITARY TRANSACTION (CALLED NET 30). NOT SURE WHAT PERCENTAGE YOU SHOULD BE REFULDED AT.
by TOURISTER on Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Delta I am talking to you...and any other airline that pulls the weather card. My daughter and her boyfriend have the last leg of their flight "cancelled" on 4-20 from JFK to BDL. 6 hours in advance of the scheduled flight and the weather was rain. Since when does an airline not fly in rain? I instead believe the flight wasn't booked solid and they weren't making enough money on it, so they cancelled it. Easy for airlines to say "due to weather" which absolves them of all consumer responsibility.
by Madashell on Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Gee, this is all wonderful stuff. The only problem is no one has ever made any money running an airline and every item on your wishlist makes the already bankrupt airlines even more bankrupt.

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.

by Grok on Tuesday, April 21, 2009
I agree with Jake re: weight & kids. I find that no one wants to admit their kids are a problem (yes, I have seen some very well behaved kids on planes, though rarely). They should be seated together, in the back.

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!

by s on Monday, April 20, 2009
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