When the Transportation Department (DOT) announced new “enhanced” protections for air travelers last week, the reaction was predictable. Airlines complained loudly that they were being re-regulated. Consumer groups offered a collective eye-roll, grumbling that it wasn’t enough. And the government cheerfully congratulated itself.
Tag: DOT
Is American Airlines cheating on the 24-hour rule?
Today’s From The Trenches case is about an airline that may or may not be cheating on a federal regulation that helps consumers.
The regulation: The 24-hour rule.
Federal government wraps up quiet year for traveler protections
Government fines against airlines for consumer rule violations are on track to hit a six-year low as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s enforcement actions shift from punishment to preventing infractions. With only a few weeks left in 2014, the DOT has issued 23 consent orders that assess $2.6 million in penalties — $4.5 million less than last year. That’s the same number as in 2009.
Who really benefits when airlines are penalized?
Although the U.S. Department of Transportation fined seven airlines a total of $1.7 million last year for violating its controversial tarmac-delay rule, most of it went straight to the U.S. Treasury. Why isn’t the money awarded to the passengers who sat on planes for hours before taking off?
Flags and other funny ways around the 24-hour rule
To get an idea how much airlines hate, hate, hate the 24-hour rule, consider the unbelievable case of Michael Kalman’s recent attempted ticket purchase on XL Airways.
The one rule your airline hates the most
If there’s one regulation that airlines hate more than anything, it’s the 24-hour rule.
What are the little secrets your airline keeps?
How often is your no-name regional airline late? How many bags does your “ultra” low-cost carrier lose?
Is your travel agent biased?
Ever wondered if you’re getting the lowest airfare or the best possible routing when you buy a plane ticket? Of course you have.
They’ve redefined an airline ticket – it’s time to fix that
OK, here’s an easy question: What’s an airline ticket?
Will new airline regulations help passengers — or hurt airlines?
At 36,361 words, the document laying out the latest proposed Transportation Department passenger protection rule is an epic, a few pages longer than Franz Kafka’s novella “The Metamorphosis.”
