PRESS RELEASE
For more information contact
Paul Hudson 410-940-8934
For Release June 22, 2007
Aviation Consumer Groups Decry False Statistics on Flight Delays: Call for Congressional Investigation and Passage of Passenger Rights Legislation
Washington, DC- An unusual public meeting was held on June 20th called by the DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) attended by over 150 airline representatives on how to fix inaccurate and incomplete data reporting of flight delays and strandings. At the meeting, aviation consumer groups charged the agency was misleading the flying public with flight delay statistics that omit the most serious delays caused by flight cancellations and diversions, called for the agency to correct misleading testimony submitted to Congress by high DOT officials at April hearings on strandings, and suggested ways to fix reporting deficiencies.
Paul Hudson, executive director of the Aviation Consumer Action Project (ACAP), noted that “DOT delay statistics are inaccurate to the point of being deceptive. For example, the agency now admits that there were over 16,000 flight diversions last year but it collected no data on the delays this caused passengers. The DOT also admits that it does not count cancellations, which are now one in 20 flights, as causing any delay. It also has now admitted it fails to record time on tarmac confinements of up to 12 hours, including the mass stranding by Jet Blue at JFK Airport in February that received national headlines.”
“If the agency that is charged with preventing deceptive practices by airlines does not correct its own inaccurate testimony and public statements, it is itself guilty of misleading the public and Congress. Current DOT reports on airline flight delays are like a doctor telling a patient all about his hang nails, but omitting to mention he also has cancer.”
Last week the Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights (CAPBOR) issued a study that detailed the inaccurate statistics and provided estimates based on media reports and verified eye witness accounts of strandings, showing that serious delays are grossly understated in DOT statistics based on airline self reporting. http://www.flyersrights.com/http://strandedpassengers.blogspot.com/
On April 11th consumer groups testified at a hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee regarding the inaccurate DOT statistics, their testimonies and those of the DOT and the airlines are available on the Committee web site.
Detailed comments by ACAP were filed today with DOT under Docket No. RITA 2007 28522.
-30-
Friday, June 22, 2007
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
CAPBOR Releases First Strandings Report Card
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 13th, 9:30 AM
Contact: Kate Hanni—707-337-0328
Paul Hudson – 410-940-8934
Passenger Rights Coalition Issues Airline Strandings Report Card
Three Airlines Get Failing Grades (American, United, US Air)
-- Group Announces New Toll Free Number For Passenger Complaints –
Washington, DC-- Advocates for an airline passenger bill of rights today announced that American, United and US Air had all failed the group’s first Strandings Report Card, based on the total number of flights subject to excessive delays and strandings and other factors -- including the lack of food and "putridness" factor on the delayed planes -- in their first report card ranking airline treatment of stranded passengers. The group also announced a new toll-free (1-877-flyers6 or 1-877-359-3776) hotline for passenger complaints.
"Passengers have no rights once they enter an aircraft, incredibly, prisoners of war have more rights than passengers on a commercial airliner," said Kate Hanni, a stranded American Airlines passenger and founder of the Coalition for An Airline Passenger Bill of Rights (CAPBOR). "Our report card gives three major airlines an F for their treatment of passengers, and that’s why we’re urging Congress to enact a real Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights."
On May 16, the Senate Commerce Committee approved a Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, S. 1300, that included passenger rights language sponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME). Action now shifts to the House Transportation Committee where an FAA reauthorization could be considered as early as next week, noted Hanni. The group supports passenger rights legislation, HR 1303, introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA).
Key elements of the coalition’s passenger bill of rights platform include the following: a procedure for deplaning people stranded on the tarmac for 3 hours or more; providing essential needs for passengers during any onboard delay, truthful reporting of flight delays and cancellations and that bags be returned within 24 hours.
"The government wouldn’t let a cruise ship go to sea without lifeboats," fellow stranded passenger Cathy Ray pointed out. "Flight attendants have a union, pilots have a union, but passengers have no union to represent them. The coalition is our union and we intend to force the government to stop the madness."
Among the highlights of the group’s first Strandings Report Card:
The Department of Transportation’s report that only 36 delays of more than 5 hours occurred in 2006 fails to include extended delays on diverted or cancelled flights.
No cancellations included: Those DOT data calculations do not include events such as the Valentine’s Day 2007 Jet Blue events at JFK, where 10 planes were held more than 5 hours, then cancelled.
MORE MORE MORE
COALITION FOR AN AIRLINE PASSENGERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS
REPORT CARD PAGE 2 of 2
No Diversions included: Those DOT data do not include the 101 American Airlines and American Eagle planes from California that were diverted to Austin and other points, then sat on the tarmac for at least 5 hours on December 29th, 2007.
For a combination of their total of number of extended delays, cancellations, and diversions, along with their failure to treat passengers humanely – subjecting them to putrid conditions, no potable water and little food, the report card gave three airlines (American, United, and US Air) a failing grade.
The group also announced several awards for worst practices, including the following
Its "When You’re On The Ground They Treat You Like Dirt" Award to American Airlines, for providing no food, having the most known strandings, most known crisis mismanagement, high "Time-on-the-Tarmac statistics and the most negative report card score – 4.7.
Its "Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award" to United after a crew reportedly left passengers sitting in Syndey, Australia on a plane,
Its "Take The Money And Run Awards," to United Express – Operated by SkyWest, for abandoning diverted passengers in Cheyenne, Wyoming and to both United Express – Operated by Trans States Airlines and American Connection – Operated by Trans States Airlines, for similarly abandoning diverted passengers in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
"The performance of the airlines coupled with illusory or false promises and customer service plans shows why passenger rights legislation is essential" said Paul Hudson, longtime executive director of the Aviation Consumer Action Project. "The fact that there is a wide divergence in airline performance regarding strandings also proves that mandating higher quality service will not raise ticket prices or put airlines out of business."
The group was joined at its event by Cindy Bouchard, a former US Airways airline customer service supervisor, who said that "The Coalition is absolutely correct in its assertion that a legislated passengers’ bill of rights is necessary, and now!"
"We’re pleased that the Senate has taken the first steps toward enacting a Passenger Bill of Rights," concluded Hanni," Now it is up to the House to do its part to make sure that airline passengers are treated like people, not hostages."
-30-
The non-profit Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights was formed by hundreds of passengers who were stranded on several American Airlines planes for up to 9 hours at Austin International Airport, December 2006. It now has over 15,000 supporters on its petition for a passenger bill of rights. Its website is www.flyersrights.org
The non-profit Aviation Consumer Action Project (ACAP) has represented airline consumers since 1971.
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 13th, 9:30 AM
Contact: Kate Hanni—707-337-0328
Paul Hudson – 410-940-8934
Passenger Rights Coalition Issues Airline Strandings Report Card
Three Airlines Get Failing Grades (American, United, US Air)
-- Group Announces New Toll Free Number For Passenger Complaints –
Washington, DC-- Advocates for an airline passenger bill of rights today announced that American, United and US Air had all failed the group’s first Strandings Report Card, based on the total number of flights subject to excessive delays and strandings and other factors -- including the lack of food and "putridness" factor on the delayed planes -- in their first report card ranking airline treatment of stranded passengers. The group also announced a new toll-free (1-877-flyers6 or 1-877-359-3776) hotline for passenger complaints.
"Passengers have no rights once they enter an aircraft, incredibly, prisoners of war have more rights than passengers on a commercial airliner," said Kate Hanni, a stranded American Airlines passenger and founder of the Coalition for An Airline Passenger Bill of Rights (CAPBOR). "Our report card gives three major airlines an F for their treatment of passengers, and that’s why we’re urging Congress to enact a real Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights."
On May 16, the Senate Commerce Committee approved a Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, S. 1300, that included passenger rights language sponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME). Action now shifts to the House Transportation Committee where an FAA reauthorization could be considered as early as next week, noted Hanni. The group supports passenger rights legislation, HR 1303, introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA).
Key elements of the coalition’s passenger bill of rights platform include the following: a procedure for deplaning people stranded on the tarmac for 3 hours or more; providing essential needs for passengers during any onboard delay, truthful reporting of flight delays and cancellations and that bags be returned within 24 hours.
"The government wouldn’t let a cruise ship go to sea without lifeboats," fellow stranded passenger Cathy Ray pointed out. "Flight attendants have a union, pilots have a union, but passengers have no union to represent them. The coalition is our union and we intend to force the government to stop the madness."
Among the highlights of the group’s first Strandings Report Card:
The Department of Transportation’s report that only 36 delays of more than 5 hours occurred in 2006 fails to include extended delays on diverted or cancelled flights.
No cancellations included: Those DOT data calculations do not include events such as the Valentine’s Day 2007 Jet Blue events at JFK, where 10 planes were held more than 5 hours, then cancelled.
MORE MORE MORE
COALITION FOR AN AIRLINE PASSENGERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS
REPORT CARD PAGE 2 of 2
No Diversions included: Those DOT data do not include the 101 American Airlines and American Eagle planes from California that were diverted to Austin and other points, then sat on the tarmac for at least 5 hours on December 29th, 2007.
For a combination of their total of number of extended delays, cancellations, and diversions, along with their failure to treat passengers humanely – subjecting them to putrid conditions, no potable water and little food, the report card gave three airlines (American, United, and US Air) a failing grade.
The group also announced several awards for worst practices, including the following
Its "When You’re On The Ground They Treat You Like Dirt" Award to American Airlines, for providing no food, having the most known strandings, most known crisis mismanagement, high "Time-on-the-Tarmac statistics and the most negative report card score – 4.7.
Its "Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award" to United after a crew reportedly left passengers sitting in Syndey, Australia on a plane,
Its "Take The Money And Run Awards," to United Express – Operated by SkyWest, for abandoning diverted passengers in Cheyenne, Wyoming and to both United Express – Operated by Trans States Airlines and American Connection – Operated by Trans States Airlines, for similarly abandoning diverted passengers in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
"The performance of the airlines coupled with illusory or false promises and customer service plans shows why passenger rights legislation is essential" said Paul Hudson, longtime executive director of the Aviation Consumer Action Project. "The fact that there is a wide divergence in airline performance regarding strandings also proves that mandating higher quality service will not raise ticket prices or put airlines out of business."
The group was joined at its event by Cindy Bouchard, a former US Airways airline customer service supervisor, who said that "The Coalition is absolutely correct in its assertion that a legislated passengers’ bill of rights is necessary, and now!"
"We’re pleased that the Senate has taken the first steps toward enacting a Passenger Bill of Rights," concluded Hanni," Now it is up to the House to do its part to make sure that airline passengers are treated like people, not hostages."
-30-
The non-profit Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights was formed by hundreds of passengers who were stranded on several American Airlines planes for up to 9 hours at Austin International Airport, December 2006. It now has over 15,000 supporters on its petition for a passenger bill of rights. Its website is www.flyersrights.org
The non-profit Aviation Consumer Action Project (ACAP) has represented airline consumers since 1971.
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 13th, 9:30 AM
Contact: Kate Hanni—707-337-0328
Paul Hudson – 410-940-8934
Passenger Rights Coalition Issues Airline Strandings Report Card
Three Airlines Get Failing Grades (American, United, US Air)
-- Group Announces New Toll Free Number For Passenger Complaints –
Washington, DC-- Advocates for an airline passenger bill of rights today announced that American, United and US Air had all failed the group’s first Strandings Report Card, based on the total number of flights subject to excessive delays and strandings and other factors -- including the lack of food and "putridness" factor on the delayed planes -- in their first report card ranking airline treatment of stranded passengers. The group also announced a new toll-free (1-877-flyers6 or 1-877-359-3776) hotline for passenger complaints.
"Passengers have no rights once they enter an aircraft, incredibly, prisoners of war have more rights than passengers on a commercial airliner," said Kate Hanni, a stranded American Airlines passenger and founder of the Coalition for An Airline Passenger Bill of Rights (CAPBOR). "Our report card gives three major airlines an F for their treatment of passengers, and that’s why we’re urging Congress to enact a real Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights."
On May 16, the Senate Commerce Committee approved a Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, S. 1300, that included passenger rights language sponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME). Action now shifts to the House Transportation Committee where an FAA reauthorization could be considered as early as next week, noted Hanni. The group supports passenger rights legislation, HR 1303, introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA).
Key elements of the coalition’s passenger bill of rights platform include the following: a procedure for deplaning people stranded on the tarmac for 3 hours or more; providing essential needs for passengers during any onboard delay, truthful reporting of flight delays and cancellations and that bags be returned within 24 hours.
"The government wouldn’t let a cruise ship go to sea without lifeboats," fellow stranded passenger Cathy Ray pointed out. "Flight attendants have a union, pilots have a union, but passengers have no union to represent them. The coalition is our union and we intend to force the government to stop the madness."
Among the highlights of the group’s first Strandings Report Card:
The Department of Transportation’s report that only 36 delays of more than 5 hours occurred in 2006 fails to include extended delays on diverted or cancelled flights.
No cancellations included: Those DOT data calculations do not include events such as the Valentine’s Day 2007 Jet Blue events at JFK, where 10 planes were held more than 5 hours, then cancelled.
MORE MORE MORE
COALITION FOR AN AIRLINE PASSENGERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS
REPORT CARD PAGE 2 of 2
No Diversions included: Those DOT data do not include the 101 American Airlines and American Eagle planes from California that were diverted to Austin and other points, then sat on the tarmac for at least 5 hours on December 29th, 2007.
For a combination of their total of number of extended delays, cancellations, and diversions, along with their failure to treat passengers humanely – subjecting them to putrid conditions, no potable water and little food, the report card gave three airlines (American, United, and US Air) a failing grade.
The group also announced several awards for worst practices, including the following
Its "When You’re On The Ground They Treat You Like Dirt" Award to American Airlines, for providing no food, having the most known strandings, most known crisis mismanagement, high "Time-on-the-Tarmac statistics and the most negative report card score – 4.7.
Its "Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award" to United after a crew reportedly left passengers sitting in Syndey, Australia on a plane,
Its "Take The Money And Run Awards," to United Express – Operated by SkyWest, for abandoning diverted passengers in Cheyenne, Wyoming and to both United Express – Operated by Trans States Airlines and American Connection – Operated by Trans States Airlines, for similarly abandoning diverted passengers in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
"The performance of the airlines coupled with illusory or false promises and customer service plans shows why passenger rights legislation is essential" said Paul Hudson, longtime executive director of the Aviation Consumer Action Project. "The fact that there is a wide divergence in airline performance regarding strandings also proves that mandating higher quality service will not raise ticket prices or put airlines out of business."
The group was joined at its event by Cindy Bouchard, a former US Airways airline customer service supervisor, who said that "The Coalition is absolutely correct in its assertion that a legislated passengers’ bill of rights is necessary, and now!"
"We’re pleased that the Senate has taken the first steps toward enacting a Passenger Bill of Rights," concluded Hanni," Now it is up to the House to do its part to make sure that airline passengers are treated like people, not hostages."
-30-
The non-profit Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights was formed by hundreds of passengers who were stranded on several American Airlines planes for up to 9 hours at Austin International Airport, December 2006. It now has over 15,000 supporters on its petition for a passenger bill of rights. Its website is www.flyersrights.org
The non-profit Aviation Consumer Action Project (ACAP) has represented airline consumers since 1971.
Contact: Kate Hanni—707-337-0328
Paul Hudson – 410-940-8934
Passenger Rights Coalition Issues Airline Strandings Report Card
Three Airlines Get Failing Grades (American, United, US Air)
-- Group Announces New Toll Free Number For Passenger Complaints –
Washington, DC-- Advocates for an airline passenger bill of rights today announced that American, United and US Air had all failed the group’s first Strandings Report Card, based on the total number of flights subject to excessive delays and strandings and other factors -- including the lack of food and "putridness" factor on the delayed planes -- in their first report card ranking airline treatment of stranded passengers. The group also announced a new toll-free (1-877-flyers6 or 1-877-359-3776) hotline for passenger complaints.
"Passengers have no rights once they enter an aircraft, incredibly, prisoners of war have more rights than passengers on a commercial airliner," said Kate Hanni, a stranded American Airlines passenger and founder of the Coalition for An Airline Passenger Bill of Rights (CAPBOR). "Our report card gives three major airlines an F for their treatment of passengers, and that’s why we’re urging Congress to enact a real Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights."
On May 16, the Senate Commerce Committee approved a Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, S. 1300, that included passenger rights language sponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME). Action now shifts to the House Transportation Committee where an FAA reauthorization could be considered as early as next week, noted Hanni. The group supports passenger rights legislation, HR 1303, introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA).
Key elements of the coalition’s passenger bill of rights platform include the following: a procedure for deplaning people stranded on the tarmac for 3 hours or more; providing essential needs for passengers during any onboard delay, truthful reporting of flight delays and cancellations and that bags be returned within 24 hours.
"The government wouldn’t let a cruise ship go to sea without lifeboats," fellow stranded passenger Cathy Ray pointed out. "Flight attendants have a union, pilots have a union, but passengers have no union to represent them. The coalition is our union and we intend to force the government to stop the madness."
Among the highlights of the group’s first Strandings Report Card:
The Department of Transportation’s report that only 36 delays of more than 5 hours occurred in 2006 fails to include extended delays on diverted or cancelled flights.
No cancellations included: Those DOT data calculations do not include events such as the Valentine’s Day 2007 Jet Blue events at JFK, where 10 planes were held more than 5 hours, then cancelled.
MORE MORE MORE
COALITION FOR AN AIRLINE PASSENGERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS
REPORT CARD PAGE 2 of 2
No Diversions included: Those DOT data do not include the 101 American Airlines and American Eagle planes from California that were diverted to Austin and other points, then sat on the tarmac for at least 5 hours on December 29th, 2007.
For a combination of their total of number of extended delays, cancellations, and diversions, along with their failure to treat passengers humanely – subjecting them to putrid conditions, no potable water and little food, the report card gave three airlines (American, United, and US Air) a failing grade.
The group also announced several awards for worst practices, including the following
Its "When You’re On The Ground They Treat You Like Dirt" Award to American Airlines, for providing no food, having the most known strandings, most known crisis mismanagement, high "Time-on-the-Tarmac statistics and the most negative report card score – 4.7.
Its "Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award" to United after a crew reportedly left passengers sitting in Syndey, Australia on a plane,
Its "Take The Money And Run Awards," to United Express – Operated by SkyWest, for abandoning diverted passengers in Cheyenne, Wyoming and to both United Express – Operated by Trans States Airlines and American Connection – Operated by Trans States Airlines, for similarly abandoning diverted passengers in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
"The performance of the airlines coupled with illusory or false promises and customer service plans shows why passenger rights legislation is essential" said Paul Hudson, longtime executive director of the Aviation Consumer Action Project. "The fact that there is a wide divergence in airline performance regarding strandings also proves that mandating higher quality service will not raise ticket prices or put airlines out of business."
The group was joined at its event by Cindy Bouchard, a former US Airways airline customer service supervisor, who said that "The Coalition is absolutely correct in its assertion that a legislated passengers’ bill of rights is necessary, and now!"
"We’re pleased that the Senate has taken the first steps toward enacting a Passenger Bill of Rights," concluded Hanni," Now it is up to the House to do its part to make sure that airline passengers are treated like people, not hostages."
-30-
The non-profit Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights was formed by hundreds of passengers who were stranded on several American Airlines planes for up to 9 hours at Austin International Airport, December 2006. It now has over 15,000 supporters on its petition for a passenger bill of rights. Its website is www.flyersrights.org
The non-profit Aviation Consumer Action Project (ACAP) has represented airline consumers since 1971.
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 13th, 9:30 AM
Contact: Kate Hanni—707-337-0328
Paul Hudson – 410-940-8934
Passenger Rights Coalition Issues Airline Strandings Report Card
Three Airlines Get Failing Grades (American, United, US Air)
-- Group Announces New Toll Free Number For Passenger Complaints –
Washington, DC-- Advocates for an airline passenger bill of rights today announced that American, United and US Air had all failed the group’s first Strandings Report Card, based on the total number of flights subject to excessive delays and strandings and other factors -- including the lack of food and "putridness" factor on the delayed planes -- in their first report card ranking airline treatment of stranded passengers. The group also announced a new toll-free (1-877-flyers6 or 1-877-359-3776) hotline for passenger complaints.
"Passengers have no rights once they enter an aircraft, incredibly, prisoners of war have more rights than passengers on a commercial airliner," said Kate Hanni, a stranded American Airlines passenger and founder of the Coalition for An Airline Passenger Bill of Rights (CAPBOR). "Our report card gives three major airlines an F for their treatment of passengers, and that’s why we’re urging Congress to enact a real Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights."
On May 16, the Senate Commerce Committee approved a Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, S. 1300, that included passenger rights language sponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME). Action now shifts to the House Transportation Committee where an FAA reauthorization could be considered as early as next week, noted Hanni. The group supports passenger rights legislation, HR 1303, introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA).
Key elements of the coalition’s passenger bill of rights platform include the following: a procedure for deplaning people stranded on the tarmac for 3 hours or more; providing essential needs for passengers during any onboard delay, truthful reporting of flight delays and cancellations and that bags be returned within 24 hours.
"The government wouldn’t let a cruise ship go to sea without lifeboats," fellow stranded passenger Cathy Ray pointed out. "Flight attendants have a union, pilots have a union, but passengers have no union to represent them. The coalition is our union and we intend to force the government to stop the madness."
Among the highlights of the group’s first Strandings Report Card:
The Department of Transportation’s report that only 36 delays of more than 5 hours occurred in 2006 fails to include extended delays on diverted or cancelled flights.
No cancellations included: Those DOT data calculations do not include events such as the Valentine’s Day 2007 Jet Blue events at JFK, where 10 planes were held more than 5 hours, then cancelled.
MORE MORE MORE
COALITION FOR AN AIRLINE PASSENGERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS
REPORT CARD PAGE 2 of 2
No Diversions included: Those DOT data do not include the 101 American Airlines and American Eagle planes from California that were diverted to Austin and other points, then sat on the tarmac for at least 5 hours on December 29th, 2007.
For a combination of their total of number of extended delays, cancellations, and diversions, along with their failure to treat passengers humanely – subjecting them to putrid conditions, no potable water and little food, the report card gave three airlines (American, United, and US Air) a failing grade.
The group also announced several awards for worst practices, including the following
Its "When You’re On The Ground They Treat You Like Dirt" Award to American Airlines, for providing no food, having the most known strandings, most known crisis mismanagement, high "Time-on-the-Tarmac statistics and the most negative report card score – 4.7.
Its "Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award" to United after a crew reportedly left passengers sitting in Syndey, Australia on a plane,
Its "Take The Money And Run Awards," to United Express – Operated by SkyWest, for abandoning diverted passengers in Cheyenne, Wyoming and to both United Express – Operated by Trans States Airlines and American Connection – Operated by Trans States Airlines, for similarly abandoning diverted passengers in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
"The performance of the airlines coupled with illusory or false promises and customer service plans shows why passenger rights legislation is essential" said Paul Hudson, longtime executive director of the Aviation Consumer Action Project. "The fact that there is a wide divergence in airline performance regarding strandings also proves that mandating higher quality service will not raise ticket prices or put airlines out of business."
The group was joined at its event by Cindy Bouchard, a former US Airways airline customer service supervisor, who said that "The Coalition is absolutely correct in its assertion that a legislated passengers’ bill of rights is necessary, and now!"
"We’re pleased that the Senate has taken the first steps toward enacting a Passenger Bill of Rights," concluded Hanni," Now it is up to the House to do its part to make sure that airline passengers are treated like people, not hostages."
-30-
The non-profit Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights was formed by hundreds of passengers who were stranded on several American Airlines planes for up to 9 hours at Austin International Airport, December 2006. It now has over 15,000 supporters on its petition for a passenger bill of rights. Its website is www.flyersrights.org
The non-profit Aviation Consumer Action Project (ACAP) has represented airline consumers since 1971.
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 13th, 9:30 AM
Contact: Kate Hanni—707-337-0328
Paul Hudson – 410-940-8934
Passenger Rights Coalition Issues Airline Strandings Report Card
Three Airlines Get Failing Grades (American, United, US Air)
-- Group Announces New Toll Free Number For Passenger Complaints –
Washington, DC-- Advocates for an airline passenger bill of rights today announced that American, United and US Air had all failed the group’s first Strandings Report Card, based on the total number of flights subject to excessive delays and strandings and other factors -- including the lack of food and "putridness" factor on the delayed planes -- in their first report card ranking airline treatment of stranded passengers. The group also announced a new toll-free (1-877-flyers6 or 1-877-359-3776) hotline for passenger complaints.
"Passengers have no rights once they enter an aircraft, incredibly, prisoners of war have more rights than passengers on a commercial airliner," said Kate Hanni, a stranded American Airlines passenger and founder of the Coalition for An Airline Passenger Bill of Rights (CAPBOR). "Our report card gives three major airlines an F for their treatment of passengers, and that’s why we’re urging Congress to enact a real Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights."
On May 16, the Senate Commerce Committee approved a Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, S. 1300, that included passenger rights language sponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME). Action now shifts to the House Transportation Committee where an FAA reauthorization could be considered as early as next week, noted Hanni. The group supports passenger rights legislation, HR 1303, introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA).
Key elements of the coalition’s passenger bill of rights platform include the following: a procedure for deplaning people stranded on the tarmac for 3 hours or more; providing essential needs for passengers during any onboard delay, truthful reporting of flight delays and cancellations and that bags be returned within 24 hours.
"The government wouldn’t let a cruise ship go to sea without lifeboats," fellow stranded passenger Cathy Ray pointed out. "Flight attendants have a union, pilots have a union, but passengers have no union to represent them. The coalition is our union and we intend to force the government to stop the madness."
Among the highlights of the group’s first Strandings Report Card:
The Department of Transportation’s report that only 36 delays of more than 5 hours occurred in 2006 fails to include extended delays on diverted or cancelled flights.
No cancellations included: Those DOT data calculations do not include events such as the Valentine’s Day 2007 Jet Blue events at JFK, where 10 planes were held more than 5 hours, then cancelled.
MORE MORE MORE
COALITION FOR AN AIRLINE PASSENGERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS
REPORT CARD PAGE 2 of 2
No Diversions included: Those DOT data do not include the 101 American Airlines and American Eagle planes from California that were diverted to Austin and other points, then sat on the tarmac for at least 5 hours on December 29th, 2007.
For a combination of their total of number of extended delays, cancellations, and diversions, along with their failure to treat passengers humanely – subjecting them to putrid conditions, no potable water and little food, the report card gave three airlines (American, United, and US Air) a failing grade.
The group also announced several awards for worst practices, including the following
Its "When You’re On The Ground They Treat You Like Dirt" Award to American Airlines, for providing no food, having the most known strandings, most known crisis mismanagement, high "Time-on-the-Tarmac statistics and the most negative report card score – 4.7.
Its "Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award" to United after a crew reportedly left passengers sitting in Syndey, Australia on a plane,
Its "Take The Money And Run Awards," to United Express – Operated by SkyWest, for abandoning diverted passengers in Cheyenne, Wyoming and to both United Express – Operated by Trans States Airlines and American Connection – Operated by Trans States Airlines, for similarly abandoning diverted passengers in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
"The performance of the airlines coupled with illusory or false promises and customer service plans shows why passenger rights legislation is essential" said Paul Hudson, longtime executive director of the Aviation Consumer Action Project. "The fact that there is a wide divergence in airline performance regarding strandings also proves that mandating higher quality service will not raise ticket prices or put airlines out of business."
The group was joined at its event by Cindy Bouchard, a former US Airways airline customer service supervisor, who said that "The Coalition is absolutely correct in its assertion that a legislated passengers’ bill of rights is necessary, and now!"
"We’re pleased that the Senate has taken the first steps toward enacting a Passenger Bill of Rights," concluded Hanni," Now it is up to the House to do its part to make sure that airline passengers are treated like people, not hostages."
-30-
The non-profit Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights was formed by hundreds of passengers who were stranded on several American Airlines planes for up to 9 hours at Austin International Airport, December 2006. It now has over 15,000 supporters on its petition for a passenger bill of rights. Its website is www.flyersrights.org
The non-profit Aviation Consumer Action Project (ACAP) has represented airline consumers since 1971.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Letter to Mary E. Peters DOT and Marion Blakey FAA
May 9, 2007
Hon. Mary E. Peters
Secretary BY FAX & OVERNIGHT MAIL
US Dept. of Transportation 202-366-7202 202-267-5047
400 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20590
Hon. Marion Blakey
Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20591
RE: Airline Passenger Stranding, Extended Involuntary Confinement in Aircraft on the Tarmac, Flight Diversions
Dear Secretary Peters and Administrator Blakey:
We are writing to ask that you take immediate action to stem the epidemic of airline passenger stranding and involuntary detention of passengers in aircraft on the tarmac for extended periods of time.
Since December 29th, 2006, there have been at least seven incidents involving over 150,000 passengers who have been involuntarily confined on airliners for periods of 4 to 9 hours or more, without proper water and food supplies, often in unsanitary to disgusting conditions, and without adequate air conditioning and ventilation. See enclosed accounts and news articles.
There are reports of passengers being deprived of needed medications, incidents of deep vein thrombosis as passengers are forced to remain in their seats for hours on end, toilets overflowing and inoperable, pets defecating, babies in need of changing and feeding screaming and crying nonstop, and of growing danger of tarmac rage as passengers desperate to escape this incredible captivity on the tarmac plot rebellion, after many hours of involuntary confinement, enforced by flight crews at the behest of airline management.
Delays and cancellations are now at record levels. According to DOT statistics 16,000 flights with approximately 1.6 million passengers were potentially victimized by diversions, cancellations and excessive tarmac delays in 2006.
As you know, these incidents have caused both the Senate Transportation Committee and House Aviation Subcommittee to hold hearings and for legislation to be introduced.
Secretary Peters, your representatives testified at these hearings that you were “concerned” but had decided to wait until yet another report is issued by the DOT in late June or July before deciding what if any action to take. Chairmen Oberstar, Inouye and Costello, Senators Boxer and Snowe, DOT IG Calvin Scovel and others have publicly faulted and chastised your agency for failing to take appropriate action under your statutory mandate or to properly follow up on the airline passenger customer rights programs as promised eight years ago.
Administrator Blakey, no one has heard from the FAA on this situation which clearly represents a health and safety hazard for passengers especially those in need of medication, the handicapped, infirm, elderly, young children as well as for pets aboard aircraft, and it is certainly causing stress and hardship for nearly all passengers affected.
We believe that legislation is necessary in part because you have failed to act under your existing authority to regulate the airlines so as to prevent, deter and punish unfair, deceptive, or unsafe practices as well as those practices causing unnecessary inconvenience to the traveling public. The response that the “market” will cure all ills has obviously failed to deter airlines from these practices, since as recently as three days ago new incidents have occurred affecting thousands of airline passengers.
On April 24th about 81 airliners were diverted by American Airlines from Dallas Fort Worth and passengers were detained on many of these aircraft involuntarily for well over 4 hours (in violation of that airline’s own advertised customer policies). Another incident took place in Detroit two weeks ago involving confining passengers on Spirit Airlines overnight.
We have credible reports that American Airlines falsely claimed that there were no hotel rooms available (when there was over a 50% vacancy rate in San Antonio at the time) so passengers were forced to sleep in school gyms on cots supplied by the Red Cross, and falsely claimed that there were no rental cars available (so passengers could not in some cases could continue their trips by auto).
There is a common thread that runs through all these intolerable incidents: Money. Airlines want to keep passengers’ money and not have to pay out for their stranding. By holding passengers on airliners when long delays or cancellations are unavoidable they avoid or reduce ticket refunds, having to pay for alternate transportation on other carriers, having to pay for lodging, local transportation, meals and other expenses long associated with strandings and mass cancellations. There is also a money incentive for flight crews to hold passengers on the tarmac, since most airline work rules do not pay the flight crews their full or sometimes any wages until the cabin door closes (ALPA and AFA have been silent on the issue).
Without agency action or new legislation, the only lawful recourse passengers have is to call 911, their physicians, and local police to beg for rescue, to notify the news media, and eventually sue for wrongful imprisonment (long after the fact).
David Neeleman, CEO of jetBlue, testified on April 20th that he saw no reason why passengers could not be permitted to deplane in cases of extended tarmac delays, and stated that jetBlue after its recent stranding debacles in February had reserved areas for this purpose at JFK where it has its major hub.
Current stranding practices are intolerable to the traveling public and will continue to tarnish the reputation of your agencies and your leadership unless and until appropriate action is taken. Accordingly, we must ask a simple question- What if anything are you doing to stop the intolerable confinement of passengers on the tarmac and related practices?
We would further ask that you meet with the undersigned in the next 10 days on this important and now urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Paul Hudson
Executive Director
Aviation Consumer Action Project ( ACAP)
Member, FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (EX COM, Occupant Safety
PO Box 19029
Washington, DC 20036
410-940-8934 410-451-7051
Globetrotter1947@hotmail.com
Kate Hanni(707)337-0328Spokesperson and FounderCoalition for an Airline Passengers' Bill of Rightshttp://strandedpassengers.blogspot.com/
http://www.flyersrights.com/
Edmund Mierzwinski, Consumer Program Director U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) Federation of State PIRGs 218 D St SE Washington, DC 20003 v-202-546-9707x314 fax 202-546-2461 Note New Email edm/at/pirg.org BLOG: www.uspirg.org/consumer
Travis Plunkett
Legislative Director
Consumer Federation of America
1620 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-387-6121
Laura MacCleeryDirector, Congress WatchPublic Citizen215 Pennsylvania Avenue, SEWashington, DC 20003Ph: 202-454-5130Fax: 202-546-5562
Hon. Mary E. Peters
Secretary BY FAX & OVERNIGHT MAIL
US Dept. of Transportation 202-366-7202 202-267-5047
400 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20590
Hon. Marion Blakey
Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20591
RE: Airline Passenger Stranding, Extended Involuntary Confinement in Aircraft on the Tarmac, Flight Diversions
Dear Secretary Peters and Administrator Blakey:
We are writing to ask that you take immediate action to stem the epidemic of airline passenger stranding and involuntary detention of passengers in aircraft on the tarmac for extended periods of time.
Since December 29th, 2006, there have been at least seven incidents involving over 150,000 passengers who have been involuntarily confined on airliners for periods of 4 to 9 hours or more, without proper water and food supplies, often in unsanitary to disgusting conditions, and without adequate air conditioning and ventilation. See enclosed accounts and news articles.
There are reports of passengers being deprived of needed medications, incidents of deep vein thrombosis as passengers are forced to remain in their seats for hours on end, toilets overflowing and inoperable, pets defecating, babies in need of changing and feeding screaming and crying nonstop, and of growing danger of tarmac rage as passengers desperate to escape this incredible captivity on the tarmac plot rebellion, after many hours of involuntary confinement, enforced by flight crews at the behest of airline management.
Delays and cancellations are now at record levels. According to DOT statistics 16,000 flights with approximately 1.6 million passengers were potentially victimized by diversions, cancellations and excessive tarmac delays in 2006.
As you know, these incidents have caused both the Senate Transportation Committee and House Aviation Subcommittee to hold hearings and for legislation to be introduced.
Secretary Peters, your representatives testified at these hearings that you were “concerned” but had decided to wait until yet another report is issued by the DOT in late June or July before deciding what if any action to take. Chairmen Oberstar, Inouye and Costello, Senators Boxer and Snowe, DOT IG Calvin Scovel and others have publicly faulted and chastised your agency for failing to take appropriate action under your statutory mandate or to properly follow up on the airline passenger customer rights programs as promised eight years ago.
Administrator Blakey, no one has heard from the FAA on this situation which clearly represents a health and safety hazard for passengers especially those in need of medication, the handicapped, infirm, elderly, young children as well as for pets aboard aircraft, and it is certainly causing stress and hardship for nearly all passengers affected.
We believe that legislation is necessary in part because you have failed to act under your existing authority to regulate the airlines so as to prevent, deter and punish unfair, deceptive, or unsafe practices as well as those practices causing unnecessary inconvenience to the traveling public. The response that the “market” will cure all ills has obviously failed to deter airlines from these practices, since as recently as three days ago new incidents have occurred affecting thousands of airline passengers.
On April 24th about 81 airliners were diverted by American Airlines from Dallas Fort Worth and passengers were detained on many of these aircraft involuntarily for well over 4 hours (in violation of that airline’s own advertised customer policies). Another incident took place in Detroit two weeks ago involving confining passengers on Spirit Airlines overnight.
We have credible reports that American Airlines falsely claimed that there were no hotel rooms available (when there was over a 50% vacancy rate in San Antonio at the time) so passengers were forced to sleep in school gyms on cots supplied by the Red Cross, and falsely claimed that there were no rental cars available (so passengers could not in some cases could continue their trips by auto).
There is a common thread that runs through all these intolerable incidents: Money. Airlines want to keep passengers’ money and not have to pay out for their stranding. By holding passengers on airliners when long delays or cancellations are unavoidable they avoid or reduce ticket refunds, having to pay for alternate transportation on other carriers, having to pay for lodging, local transportation, meals and other expenses long associated with strandings and mass cancellations. There is also a money incentive for flight crews to hold passengers on the tarmac, since most airline work rules do not pay the flight crews their full or sometimes any wages until the cabin door closes (ALPA and AFA have been silent on the issue).
Without agency action or new legislation, the only lawful recourse passengers have is to call 911, their physicians, and local police to beg for rescue, to notify the news media, and eventually sue for wrongful imprisonment (long after the fact).
David Neeleman, CEO of jetBlue, testified on April 20th that he saw no reason why passengers could not be permitted to deplane in cases of extended tarmac delays, and stated that jetBlue after its recent stranding debacles in February had reserved areas for this purpose at JFK where it has its major hub.
Current stranding practices are intolerable to the traveling public and will continue to tarnish the reputation of your agencies and your leadership unless and until appropriate action is taken. Accordingly, we must ask a simple question- What if anything are you doing to stop the intolerable confinement of passengers on the tarmac and related practices?
We would further ask that you meet with the undersigned in the next 10 days on this important and now urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Paul Hudson
Executive Director
Aviation Consumer Action Project ( ACAP)
Member, FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (EX COM, Occupant Safety
PO Box 19029
Washington, DC 20036
410-940-8934 410-451-7051
Globetrotter1947@hotmail.com
Kate Hanni(707)337-0328Spokesperson and FounderCoalition for an Airline Passengers' Bill of Rightshttp://strandedpassengers.blogspot.com/
http://www.flyersrights.com/
Edmund Mierzwinski, Consumer Program Director U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) Federation of State PIRGs 218 D St SE Washington, DC 20003 v-202-546-9707x314 fax 202-546-2461 Note New Email edm/at/pirg.org BLOG: www.uspirg.org/consumer
Travis Plunkett
Legislative Director
Consumer Federation of America
1620 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-387-6121
Laura MacCleeryDirector, Congress WatchPublic Citizen215 Pennsylvania Avenue, SEWashington, DC 20003Ph: 202-454-5130Fax: 202-546-5562
Friday, June 1, 2007
Flight Attendants Advocate for Legislation and Join Coalition in Passenger Rights Fight!
Flight Attendants Advocate for Passenger Rights
"They are tired of being trapped in the planes with us"!
"They are tired of being trapped in the planes with us"!
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