Comments on: Have airlines neutralized the passenger rights movement? http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Latest airlines news – American Airlines dropping its standard retiree health plan for … http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-43555 Latest airlines news – American Airlines dropping its standard retiree health plan for … Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:33:09 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-43555 [...] Have airlines neutralized the passenger rights movement? [...] [...] Have airlines neutralized the passenger rights movement? [...]

]]> By: Airline lobbying: so where’s the money going? http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24554 Airline lobbying: so where’s the money going? Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:35:42 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24554 [...] the airline advocates had a hand in hijacking of the passenger rights cause, which culminated in a media circus earlier this week. Made me wonder where all of ATA’s money was [...] [...] the airline advocates had a hand in hijacking of the passenger rights cause, which culminated in a media circus earlier this week. Made me wonder where all of ATA’s money was [...]

]]> By: Travel News and Stories for 09/23/2009 : Kathika Travel Website http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24472 Travel News and Stories for 09/23/2009 : Kathika Travel Website Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:42:59 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24472 [...] Have airlines neutralized the passenger rights movement? I was thrilled when I heard that a coalition of travel professionals was meeting in Washington for a what they called a "stakeholder hearing" on passenger rights. Finally, after years of virtually no representation in the nation’s capital, passengers were organizing. http://www.elliott.org [...] [...] Have airlines neutralized the passenger rights movement? I was thrilled when I heard that a coalition of travel professionals was meeting in Washington for a what they called a "stakeholder hearing" on passenger rights. Finally, after years of virtually no representation in the nation’s capital, passengers were organizing. http://www.elliott.org [...]

]]> By: David Z http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24463 David Z Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:30:42 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24463 Look on the bright side: they'll stumble along the way, but they're finally organizing and doing <b>something</b> rather than nothing. Unless it would've been better if they started later? Look on the bright side: they’ll stumble along the way, but they’re finally organizing and doing something rather than nothing. Unless it would’ve been better if they started later?

]]> By: Justin http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24442 Justin Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:43:41 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24442 Woops.. it is WITHOUT A DOUBT (Not double). Spell check changed my word I think!! Woops.. it is WITHOUT A DOUBT (Not double). Spell check changed my word I think!!

]]> By: Justin http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24441 Justin Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:42:49 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24441 @ Mr. Elliott, Well if this group is picking a central rallying point, that is unenforceable, it is without a double misguided and headed in the wrong direction. What good does it do these people to get rules instated that won't even matter. It's like telling the airlines "HEY LOOK" new guidelines, but don't worry. You won't be accountable. .::Wink Wink... Nudge Nudge::. In fewer words, that's basically what's happening here. This group of "well meaning" but misguided people are doing nothing but expelling a lot of effort to end up with nothing. Stated by you, their core objective, is this tarmac rule. Hence, they have all their eggs in one basket. If not to make it worse, they are playing RIGHT INTO the hands of the airlines. What better way to contain public outcry than to get a pseudo rule made that no one will enforce. Better yet, the airlines can swing this rule into a marketing ploy. We are now consumer friendly and advocated for the change!! Long story short, you are needed on this issue as if there were no others to help These people ARE NOT headed down the right path. You are the person with the know how and experience to change that one. I would sincerely hope this group has the common sense to get back in touch with you. While you are not involved in the day to day advocacy work, you might at least compile a TRUE customer bill of rights. At least, you could send them it and for better or worse, they have it on file to reference. Just some thoughts. Last, I would hope some of those members are genuine. Still, genuine and properly directed are not synonymous. Justin @ Mr. Elliott,

Well if this group is picking a central rallying point, that is unenforceable, it is without a double misguided and headed in the wrong direction. What good does it do these people to get rules instated that won’t even matter. It’s like telling the airlines “HEY LOOK” new guidelines, but don’t worry. You won’t be accountable. .::Wink Wink… Nudge Nudge::. In fewer words, that’s basically what’s happening here. This group of “well meaning” but misguided people are doing nothing but expelling a lot of effort to end up with nothing. Stated by you, their core objective, is this tarmac rule. Hence, they have all their eggs in one basket. If not to make it worse, they are playing RIGHT INTO the hands of the airlines. What better way to contain public outcry than to get a pseudo rule made that no one will enforce. Better yet, the airlines can swing this rule into a marketing ploy. We are now consumer friendly and advocated for the change!!

Long story short, you are needed on this issue as if there were no others to help These people ARE NOT headed down the right path. You are the person with the know how and experience to change that one. I would sincerely hope this group has the common sense to get back in touch with you. While you are not involved in the day to day advocacy work, you might at least compile a TRUE customer bill of rights. At least, you could send them it and for better or worse, they have it on file to reference. Just some thoughts.

Last, I would hope some of those members are genuine. Still, genuine and properly directed are not synonymous.

Justin

]]> By: Christopher Elliott http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24433 Christopher Elliott Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:36:20 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24433 @Justin, I don't consider this group to be "misguided" although, as I said in the post, I think the airline industry does. I'm not involved in any the day-to-day advocacy work -- Charlie Leocha, the CTA's president, is. However, I know that we've offered to help this group in the past, and will continue to do so. At the risk of repeating myself, I think there are some members of this group who are the real deal. @Justin, I don’t consider this group to be “misguided” although, as I said in the post, I think the airline industry does.

I’m not involved in any the day-to-day advocacy work — Charlie Leocha, the CTA’s president, is. However, I know that we’ve offered to help this group in the past, and will continue to do so.

At the risk of repeating myself, I think there are some members of this group who are the real deal.

]]> By: Justin http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24432 Justin Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:40:36 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24432 Mr Elliott (Sorry on previous post for the Mr.), Do you plan to also write up a travelers bill of rights in conjunction with your organization or offer an addendum / modifications to the one that this "misguided group" is currently circulating? Also, will your group be working in competition with theirs or will you try a meeting of the minds. Obviously, the more allies you have, the better chances you get of succeeding. Justin Mr Elliott (Sorry on previous post for the Mr.),

Do you plan to also write up a travelers bill of rights in conjunction with your organization or offer an addendum / modifications to the one that this “misguided group” is currently circulating? Also, will your group be working in competition with theirs or will you try a meeting of the minds. Obviously, the more allies you have, the better chances you get of succeeding.

Justin

]]> By: Nobody http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24427 Nobody Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:36:51 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24427 "Generosity, that was my first mistake. I leave these people a little extra, and then they hire these men to make trouble. Shows you, sooner or later, you must answer for every good deed." "If God hadn't meant for them to be sheared, he wouldn't have made them sheep."--Calvera (Eli Wallach) "Magnificent Seven" If this plane's a rockin' on the 6 o'clock news Passengers reached their limit on the Tarmac Here lie American airlines Laid alongside buggy whips RIP Nobody Was Faster “Generosity, that was my first mistake. I leave these people a little extra, and then they hire these men to make trouble. Shows you, sooner or later, you must answer for every good deed.”
“If God hadn’t meant for them to be sheared, he wouldn’t have made them sheep.”–Calvera (Eli Wallach) “Magnificent Seven”

If this plane’s a rockin’ on the 6 o’clock news
Passengers reached their limit on the Tarmac

Here lie American airlines
Laid alongside buggy whips
RIP
Nobody Was Faster

]]> By: Christopher Elliott http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24426 Christopher Elliott Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:57:42 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24426 I've joined the new Consumer Travel Alliance as its ombudsman. I thought you knew that. See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/21/AR2009082101698.html We haven't officially launched yet, but the plan is to get ahead of the mid-term elections and try to make a difference. I’ve joined the new Consumer Travel Alliance as its ombudsman. I thought you knew that.

See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/21/AR2009082101698.html

We haven’t officially launched yet, but the plan is to get ahead of the mid-term elections and try to make a difference.

]]> By: Tricia http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24425 Tricia Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:48:28 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24425 I agree with all of the above. Chris, if you merely criticize, but refuse to take action yourself, then you are no better than the airlines that you criticize. It's one thing to say something is wrong, but to stand by and not take action when you have the wherewithall (knowledge, influence, etc.) to do so is negligent at best. Don't hide behind the "I am a journalist, so I have to stay out of the fray" apron. Get out there and make a difference. If you say that democrats are the only ones who will stand up for this cause, then you'd better get busy because they are quickly closing their own window of opportunity to make changes. 2010 is not that far away. I agree with all of the above.

Chris, if you merely criticize, but refuse to take action yourself, then you are no better than the airlines that you criticize. It’s one thing to say something is wrong, but to stand by and not take action when you have the wherewithall (knowledge, influence, etc.) to do so is negligent at best. Don’t hide behind the “I am a journalist, so I have to stay out of the fray” apron. Get out there and make a difference. If you say that democrats are the only ones who will stand up for this cause, then you’d better get busy because they are quickly closing their own window of opportunity to make changes. 2010 is not that far away.

]]> By: LeeAnne http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24410 LeeAnne Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:39:55 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24410 VOTE FOR CHRIS! Oh wait...this isn't an election. ;-) In all seriousness, I think Chris's article is spot-on - and I think that Justin has identified the solution. There are VERY few people on the planet with as deep an understanding of the passenger's experience, perception, and issues with regards to air travel. And not only does he "get it", he can write too! Chris, seriously, if you don't step in and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, you will be just another ineffectual flapping jaw in a sea of flapping jaws, railing about the unfairness of it all, while your window of opportunity to actually HAVE AN IMPACT slams shut. Deborah is right: We need you Chris!!! Put something together, throw it up here, and let us travelers offer our input. You might really end up with something that can work! VOTE FOR CHRIS!

Oh wait…this isn’t an election. ;-)

In all seriousness, I think Chris’s article is spot-on – and I think that Justin has identified the solution. There are VERY few people on the planet with as deep an understanding of the passenger’s experience, perception, and issues with regards to air travel. And not only does he “get it”, he can write too!

Chris, seriously, if you don’t step in and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, you will be just another ineffectual flapping jaw in a sea of flapping jaws, railing about the unfairness of it all, while your window of opportunity to actually HAVE AN IMPACT slams shut.

Deborah is right: We need you Chris!!!

Put something together, throw it up here, and let us travelers offer our input. You might really end up with something that can work!

]]> By: Deborah http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24407 Deborah Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:51:16 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24407 We need you Chris!!! We need you Chris!!!

]]> By: Joel Wechsler http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24400 Joel Wechsler Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:10:31 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24400 I absolutely agree with you, Justin. I absolutely agree with you, Justin.

]]> By: frostysnowman http://www.elliott.org/blog/have-airlines-neutralized-the-passenger-rights-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-24399 frostysnowman Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:59:20 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8524#comment-24399 Here here! Then I also remember Chris saying something about the government refusing to get involved in regulating airline issues other than to say they have to follow their contracts of carriage. But if the airlines can write their own contracts of carriage, basicially making up their own rules, then who really can help? Here here!

Then I also remember Chris saying something about the government refusing to get involved in regulating airline issues other than to say they have to follow their contracts of carriage. But if the airlines can write their own contracts of carriage, basicially making up their own rules, then who really can help?

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