Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Three Years Later: FlyersRights Is Still Protecting You From The Not So Friendly Skies

/PRNewswire/ -- Three years ago today, 13,800 people boarded 138 American Airlines jets in hopes of reaching Dallas Fort Worth for their connecting flights during a crowded holiday season in late 2006/early 2007. Yet, all 138 of these flights were diverted to 24 airports in and around Texas to endure what would be for some people -- including Kate Hanni and family -- a painful and life-changing ordeal. In Hanni's case, she and her family were stuck on an airport tarmac for 9 hours and 17 minutes without water, food, or usable toilets. That is when she decided to take action.

"FlyersRights.org has become, in 3 short years, the organization that airline passengers rely on to stand up for them and fight for their rights," said Kate Hanni, Executive Director FlyersRights.org. "It is rather amazing what we have accomplished, together, during such a brief period of time":

-- The introduction of 9 airline passengers' rights bills before Congress
-- The House of Representatives' twice passing our airline passengers'
bills
-- The passage of the New York Airline Passenger's Bill of Rights Law
(later overturned by the appellate court).
-- The passage of the currently-in-force Department of Transportation
(DOT) regulation requiring airlines to report time on the tarmac for
diverted, canceled and multiple gate return flights.
-- The DOT's doubling the bumping compensation for flights that are
oversold from $200-$400 to $400-$800 respectively.
-- The DOT's mandating that airlines note at point of purchase their
baggage fees so there are no surprises!
-- Completion and implementation of a DOT rule requiring airlines to
allow passengers off flights after 3 hour delays and taking care of
the essential needs of passengers while trapped on the tarmac.

FlyersRights.org looks forward to final passage of the FAA Modernization act S: 1451 which contains many further provisions for airline passengers that will make their travel by air safer, healthier and more tolerable. We intend to be the voice for all air travelers indefinitely!

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