New Rules on Coming to America

With the latest developments in the air travel safety and security, rules are modified to adapt to the needs and tighten security.

There's no such things as a failsafe measure, but this change is to make things better - if not, at least it is safer.

Read on...
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Coming to America

New rules make air-travel in the US less stressful - and easier to complain about

THE United States federal government is taking a stronger hand in regulating how airlines treat passengers, and new rules limiting long tarmac delays are just the first step.

"I don't know of another time in the department's history when we've stood up for passengers and said enough is enough," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, mentioning the overnight stranding of passengers on a plane in Rochester, Minneapolis, last summer as the tipping point prompting government action.

"There were actually personnel in the terminal who could've let people off the plane - that was ridiculous," LaHood said.

Even before the latest rules, which went into effect April 29, the government had fined airlines for violations of existing regulations that cover baggage-reimbursement policies, fare advertising and compensation when passengers on over-booked flights are denied boarding.

It seems carriers may be getting the message. Although airline executives predicted "unintended consequences" and widespread cancellations if planes were required to return to the terminal after sitting on the tarmac for three hours, there have been no reports of this happening in the two weeks after the rule took effect.

Here's an overview of what's been adopted so far, and what's under consideration.


No more nights on the tarmac

If an aircraft sits on the tarmac, airlines now have to give passengers the option to deplane after three hours (with exceptions for safety and security), and offer snacks and drinking water at the two-hour mark. They must also maintain working lavatories and provide medical attention, if necessary, and publish plans outlining how they will deal with lengthy tarmac delays.

The three-hour time limit applies only to domestic flights; for international flights, carriers can set their own time limit but must disclose it in advance.


Complaining will be easier

One of the less-publicised new rule is that carriers now have to publish contact information for consumer complaints on their websites and on all e-ticket confirmations. The Transportation Department has also redesigned its aviation consumer protection web site, airconsumer.dot.gov, to make it easier for passengers to file complaints.

The complaints help investigators spot emerging problems that may require further regulation, such as whether airlines should have to refund checked baggage fees if a passenger's luggage is lost or late.


Charges should be fair and transparent

Even before the new rules went into effect, the Transportation Department was working on another set of proposed regulations, which it plans to announce and open for public comment in June. Among the topics under consideration: How extra fees - such as for baggage or seat reservations - are disclosed, how fares are advertised and how and when airlines should provide alternative transportation for passengers on canceled flights. THE NEW YORK TIMES



From TODAY, Travel
Coming to America
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