GovernmentExecutive.com

JetBlue's problems with cancelled flights over the past week might boost prospects for an airline passengers' bill of rights that Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., announced last Friday he will introduce when Congress returns from its Presidents Day recess.

Thousands of JetBlue passengers were stranded after the airline did not cancel flights quickly enough during winter storms and then did not have the staff to move travelers to different flights.

"Flying will never be as comfortable as home, but passengers have a right to know what level of service they can expect on an aircraft," Thompson said in a statement. "I think the airlines will also benefit from having a set of rules to guide them through difficult situations, such as weather emergencies."

Thompson decided to draft the legislation after one of his constituents started an online petition demanding more rights for passengers after being stranded on an American Airlines flight in December, a spokesman said.

The bill would give passengers the right to deplane if they have been sitting on the tarmac for longer than three hours. It also would require airlines to inform passengers on "chronically delayed" flights at the time of ticket purchases, keep passengers better informed on the causes of delays, and provide passengers trapped in planes on the tarmac with food, water and clean bathrooms.

A spokeswoman for the Senate Commerce Committee said it has not yet determined if there is a role for Congress in ensuring passengers' rights, or if the FAA should take the lead. During a Commerce Aviation Subcommittee hearing last Thursday on the reauthorization of the FAA, many senators referred to the JetBlue debacle and cited a Bureau of Transportation Statistics report which said one out of every five flights in the United States arrived late, the worst rate since 2000.

Thompson's spokeswoman said Thompson plans on introducing the bill next week, and a spokesman for Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Costello, D-Ill., said there will be a future hearing on "aviation consumer issues."

COMMENTS

• There can certainly be good old fashioned competition in federal administrative services-- but not if you combine all of it into one massive, bureaucratic service center. I work in HR and have serviced multiple bureaus and mission areas. If these mission areas didn't like my service, they could contract with another part of the agency or with another agency entirely. It is happening across the government. But too much centralizing will destroy innovation and good customer service. I guarantee it. Enough said Mr. Taxpayer. I hope you never have to experience the horrible red tape and lunacy we have created for ourselves. HR specialist GovExec.com reader Posted February 27, 2007 9:56 AM
• HR person, Competition between private firms is far different that a mix of enforcement in government operations. The federal government is a monopoly and just because something is decentralized does not mean there is competition! For example, if you happen to be with HUD you operate according to HUD processes and procedures. Likewise, if you happen to be at the SBA you operate according to SBA procedures. However, if you are at HUD you do not have the option to move to SBA because you like the way they operate better! This is not competition! You need to go compete! taxpayer Posted February 26, 2007 7:43 AM
• I suppose the savage man on the radio in San Francisco is right, we are sheeple. Someone mentioned greedy lawyers and another spoke about "trapped" people. After a reasonable time, say five hours, any passenger asking to deplane who was not immediately allowed to would seem to have been held against their will. Portable stairs or an emergency inflatable ramp could have been deployed to allow those passengers to de-plane and walk the hundred yards back to the terminal. This is nothing more than an airline looking out for its own best financial interests versus the well being of its paying customers, period. In addition to pressing kidnapping charges against the flight crew, someone should sue the crap out this carrier! Cracked & Wired Posted February 23, 2007 11:22 AM