Pan Am Flight 103 25th Anniversary

Pan Am Flight 103 25th Anniversary    FlyersRights Demands "Passenger Bill of Rights" at 2 Events All I Want For Christmas is a Ban On In-Flight Phone Calls Tuesday, December 17, 2013

One of the deadliest terrorist strikes on American civilians, the Lockerbie bombing, is being marked at home and abroad by politicians and officials 25 years after the atrocity that killed 270 people.   This widely regarded assault on a symbol of the United States, with 189 of the victims being Americans, stood as the most significant attack against America until September 11, 2001.  Memorial services will be held this week at Arlington National Cemetary and in Lockerbie, Scotland. CBS news is doing a special with Peter Greenberg and will interview Paul Hudson, FlyersRights president. Points to keep in mind for all airline passengers is that aviation terrorism is the most deadly form yet carried out. Over 4,000 have died, including nearly 300 in 1989 and nearly 3,000 in 2001. This is more than all airliner accident deaths in history. In Lockerbie alone, more Americans died than in the 1990 Gulf War.  Weak aviation security allowed 19 al Qaeda terrorists to hijack 4 US airliners on 9/11/01 killing all on board and thousands in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Terrorists often attempt attacks on anniversaries and Certain holidays. The shoe bomber attempted to blow up a U.S. bound airliner on 12/21. Developing threats include shoulder fired missiles now in the hands of  some factions in Syria, Libya and perhaps other locations.  These devastating weapons can easily bring down airliners and pose a significant threat to aviation security.    Passengers' rights to avoid unreasonable or invasive security at airports must be balanced against rights to safe and secure travel. Otherwise the tragic history of aviation terrorism that started with Pan Am 103 and culminated with 9/11 is likely to be repeated.   To mark the 25th anniversary of those lost on Pan Am 103, there are five services planned in the US and the UK on Saturday, December 21, 2013. (please note that all times listed are local times). Syracuse University - 2:03 PM in Hendricks ChapelArlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA - 1:30 PM at the Pan Am Cairn Westminster Abbey, London, England - 6:45 PM Lockerbie, Scotland - 2 PM at the Dryfesdale Cemetery/6:30 PM at the Dryfesdale Church SU's Lubin House, 11 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10065 - 1:30-3:30 PM (please note, due to space limitations, you must RSVP to attend this event; contact Scott Austin at scott.austin.sca@gmail.com)

FOR RELEASE December 16, 2013    AIRLINE PASSENGERS GROUP TO FEDS:  "WE HAVE RIGHTS !!!"   FlyersRights.org Will Demand  A "Passengers' Bill Of Rights" At Two Events   WASHINGTON, D.C. - The nation's largest consumer organization representing airline passengers, FlyersRights.org, will demand that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognize an "Airline Passengers Bill of Rights" at two events this week: A hearing of the DOT'S Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection on MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013 at approximately 2:00 PM EDT in the Oklahoma City Room of the DOT West Building Headquarters, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington (Seating Requests must be made TODAY, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13). A meeting of the Federal Aviation Administration Rulemaking Advisory Committee on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013 at 1:00 PM EDT at Room 1010, FAA Headquarters Building, 800 Independence Ave., SW, Washington. Supported with a specific, 33-point plan, FlyersRights.org President Paul Hudson will unveil an Airline Passengers Bill of Rights that will include: 1. THE RIGHT to a ticket we can understand and rely on, with no hidden fees, at a fair price. 2. THE RIGHT to be treated well when our flight is canceled or delayed, with reasonable access to available flights on other airlines and advance notice, a refund and compensation when it's the airline's fault. 3. THE RIGHT to airline honesty when it comes to the status of our flights and the reasons for delays and cancellations. 4. THE RIGHT to a safe aircraft and a well-trained, well-rested crew. 5. THE RIGHT to get off the tarmac within three hours at the most. 6. THE RIGHT to have our luggage arrive when we do - or to compensation if it doesn't. 7. THE RIGHT to be treated like human beings onboard aircraft, with food and drink and seats and legroom that are safe and comfortable. 8. THE RIGHT to retain basic constitutional rights of privacy, free speech, travel, due process of law, freedom from unreasonable search and seizure when we enter an airport or board an aircraft. Mr. Hudson noted, "It has been 35 years since airlines were deregulated as to fares, routes, schedules and services. We are calling on Congress, President Obama and DOT Secretary Foxx to review the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 to correct the consumer abuses, unfair or deceptive practices and inefficiencies that have infested and degraded the nation's air transportation system."

All I want for Christmas is a ban on in-flight phone calls Outrage and pushback is the reaction over the proposal by the F.C.C. to loosen the rules against cellphone conversations in-flight.    In a surprise announcement last week, the Transportation Department (DOT) said that passengers and the airline industry are overwhelmingly against such cellphone use, and will consider banning in-flight voice calls.  Airlines fear cellphone use in planes would anger flyers, disrupt flights and burden airline staff who might have to settle disagreements that erupt over passenger phone calls. Southwest Airlines, Virgin America and Delta Air Lines all have said they almost certainly won't allow flyers to make in-flight calls, regardless of the rules. United and JetBlue have said they would study their policies if the rules change. JetBlue even said it would consider a special section of the cabin for fliers who want to make calls.    Still, consumers are likely to soon be able to text, check email and connect to the Internet on their cellphones while their flight is above 10,000 feet. The FCC and DOT will gather public comments in a separate rule-making before acting on a final proposal that isn't expected for several months.   Special to FlyersRights Founder of FlyersRights Kate Hanni's husband, Tim, is a prominent wine expert in Napa Valley and North America's First Master of Wine.   He has a new book out that's making a splash in the wine industry and beyond, "Why You Like The Wines You Like."  Order signed copies before December 18th and you will get them in plenty of time for Christmas! Tim will sign copies and donate 10% of the proceeds from all of his sales for the month of December to FlyersRights!   A great holiday gift for the wine lover and for anyone interested in a fascinating look at sensory perception and human behaviors.  This makes a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys wine at any level - especially interesting for sweet wine lovers and also a way to give a gift to the "overzealous" wine aficionado (dare we say wine snob?) in your life! · Single signed copies are $28.00 and this includes priority shipping. shop.napaseasoning.com · 5 signed copies are $115.00, including priority mail shipping. shop.napaseasoning.com · Single, unsigned copies can be purchased directly from Amazon.com for $22.50 with whatever shipping Amazon charges. amazon.com    Also, why not pick up some fine wines from our Napa Valley wine shop for your holiday table! Recent book reviews: Chicago Tribune The Napa Valley Register The Mercury News The Amazing Race   Kate Hanni, who gave six years of her life to airline passengers rights and her husband Tim Hanni, Master of Wine have been asked to present an audition tape and application to "The Amazing Race".   If they win the $1,000,000 prize they will give a handsome donation to FlyersRights which would help secure us into the future.  Kate and Tim are recent empty-nesters and they really want to get chosen to compete in the Amazing Race. Please watch the video and have your friends watch it and "like" it with a thumbs up to show the producers that they have the public's support to be on the show!

Kate Hanni, founder of FlyersRights Paul Hudson, president of FlyersRights Don't Miss Out on a Tax Deduction Deadline: December 31   Please consider an "end of the year" tax write-off donation to our 501(c)3!  Founded by Kate Hanni in 2007, FlyersRights  is funded completely through donations and our Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity, to which contributions are tax deductible.   Thank you.