The Department of Transportation's decision this week to slap heavy fines on airlines that keep passengers enplaned for long hours on the tarmac will be welcome relief to many. The new rule charges airlines a $27,500-per-passenger fine if they sequester travelers for more than 3 hours without an opportunity to return to the terminal.
What will that mean for holiday travelers now? Nothing, since the rules don't go into effect until April 2010.
Then, airlines must provide food and water after a two-hour delay, as well as "operable" toilets and medical attention if needed. After 3 hours, they have to bring passengers back to the gate to deplane. There are exceptions for safety and security, and for events in which air-traffic control advises against a return to the gate. The rule only applies to domestic flights.
The DOT's decision could mean more cancelled flights, according to the Air Transport Association of America, the trade group that represents the commercial airlines. "The requirement of having planes return to the gates within a three-hour window or face significant fines is inconsistent with our goal of completing as many flights as possible,” said James C. May, president and CEO of the Air Transport Association of Americ, ATA president and CEO James C. May.
In the main, however, this change bodes well for folks already subject to the indignities of air travel.
One thought to make the rule even better: How 'bout shifting that $27,500-per-passenger fine to the passenger, not the government? In lieu of that unlikely event, you might as well get as much for your travel dollar as possible by following Consumer Reports 10 ways to save on air travel.
Happy trails!—Tobie Stanger
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