What’s next for that passenger bill?

Even though an airline passenger bill of rights is an idea whose time has finally come, the legislation that’s about to be introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson and backed by the Coalition for Airline Passenger’s Bill of Rights, faces some formidable obstacles.

Here’s what they’re up against:

A clandestine war with the airline lobby. The airline industry surely knows that the flying public overwhelmingly favors new rules. It is also aware that customers have grown weary of empty promises to “do better” and that the disastrous New Year’s runway incident in Austin was the last figurative straw. So what to do? I wouldn’t expect the airlines to come out in opposition to the bill of rights. Instead, it will probably “support” some kind of rule change and lobby like mad to dilute the law as it moves through the legislature.

“Help” from all the wrong people. Now that the Coalition for Airline Passenger’s Bill of Rights — and Kate Hanni, in particular — have the media’s attention, I would expect every trade organization and advocacy group to try to “join” her cause. Some of these groups are genuinely aligned with the cause of passenger rights. Others aren’t. In fact, there are groups out there who have been partially funded by the airlines. If these organizations are allowed to hitch their wagon to the coalition’s train, they will almost certainly delay or disrupt efforts to pass meaningful legislation.

A distracted Congress and Senate. As far as legislative priorities go, a passenger bill of rights does not rank very highly. Any number of other political factors, including the war, health care or the upcoming presidential election, could easily put these important rules on the shelf, where they would quietly die. On the other hand, if the newly-elected Democratic majority thinks it could score some political brownie points by quickly passing this law, it might fly through both houses.

As an advocate for travelers, I think a passenger bill of rights is long overdue, of course. I’m not suggesting that we return to the days when when the government told airlines where they could fly and what they could charge. I don’t think anyone is saying that.

What I am saying is that the airline industry is completely ineffective at policing itself. There need to be some common sense rules for how it treats passengers — and severe consequences for not following them.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

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