FlyersRights.org (formerly Coalition for an Airline Passengers Bill of Rights) today filed comments on the U.S. Department of Transportation's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on "Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections."
Our Comments: http://www.flyersrights.com/FlyersRightsMarch2009NPRMComments2.pdf
-Summary of position
In short we commented that the U.S. DOT should strengthen and adopt a final regulation on this topic as soon as possible. DOT must set minimum standards for U.S. airlines to meet in preparing their Contingency Plans to deal with lengthy tarmac delays - rather than letting each airline set its own guidelines without Federal review and approval. Those Contingency Plans and the 1999 -- unenforceable -- "Customer First Commitments" of the major airlines must be included in all airline Contracts of Carriage -- their contract agreement with their passengers. It is also critically important that DOT monitor the language the airlines insert in their Contracts of Carriage so that those airline promises and other obligations will be easily understood by laymen and not be so conditioned by exceptions that a state court (small claims) judge wouldn't be able to decide the passenger's claim.
- Submitting comments
We are inviting our members and any other members of the public to review our comments and, if you agree with them, posting a letter of support on that Docket (in Regulations.gov) indicating the degree of your support, and any other supplemental comments (or differences) that you would like to offer.
While the technical deadline for DOT's receiving comments is today (March 9), DOT will accept, post and fully consider your comments if received within the next few days.
The easiest way to file comments is by faxing your letter to (202)493-2251. It usually takes about one business day for the DOT to post comments. You may also submit your comments directly into the docket portal (go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments), or by mail:
Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Ave., SE., West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
At a minimum, include the docket number in your heading as we have done so that your letter will be recorded in the correct docket:
Docket No. DOT-OST-2007-0022
RIN No. 2105-AD72
Here is a link to the DOT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that we filed our comments against.
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/ContentViewer?objectId=09000064807aecba&disposition=attachment&contentType=pdf
Sincerely yours,
Kate Hanni
FlyersRights.org
Thursday, March 12, 2009
FlyersRights.org Report Card: Airlines Flunk Again With 1,232 Excessive Tarmac Delays in 2008
Delta Worst For Long Tarmac Delays, Southwest Best In Customer Treatment
WASHINGTON (March 11) – Noting 1,232 tarmac delays of 3 hours or more last year, FlyersRights.org today issued its annual “Airline Stranding Report Card.”
Get your copy here>> 2008 Airline Stranding Report Card
The longest delay, 10+ hours on the tarmac, was on Delta Airlines Flight 1201 from Atlanta to West Palm Beach, FL, on January 16, 2008. With no food, water or temperature controls, passengers were given misleading messages about takeoff times as the plane was de-iced multiple times.
“Too many Americans are trapped in tubes on the tarmac for too long,” said FlyersRights.org Executive Director Kate Hanni. “It’s time for Congress to limit tarmac delays to 3 hours.” Hanni has lobbied for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights since being stranded herself for 9 hours on an American Airlines flight in 2006.
The report card says Delta had the greatest number of tarmac delays over 3 hours. Southwest Airlines was the best rated, for incorporating into their contract an actionable strategy to move customers off planes stuck on the tarmac and for providing food, water, trash removal, toilet cleaning and temperature controls.
The report was based on a combination of media accounts, government statistics and verified eyewitness accounts sent in to its website (http://www.flyersrights.org).
This year’s Special Award winners included:
WASHINGTON (March 11) – Noting 1,232 tarmac delays of 3 hours or more last year, FlyersRights.org today issued its annual “Airline Stranding Report Card.”
Get your copy here>> 2008 Airline Stranding Report Card
The longest delay, 10+ hours on the tarmac, was on Delta Airlines Flight 1201 from Atlanta to West Palm Beach, FL, on January 16, 2008. With no food, water or temperature controls, passengers were given misleading messages about takeoff times as the plane was de-iced multiple times.
“Too many Americans are trapped in tubes on the tarmac for too long,” said FlyersRights.org Executive Director Kate Hanni. “It’s time for Congress to limit tarmac delays to 3 hours.” Hanni has lobbied for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights since being stranded herself for 9 hours on an American Airlines flight in 2006.
The report card says Delta had the greatest number of tarmac delays over 3 hours. Southwest Airlines was the best rated, for incorporating into their contract an actionable strategy to move customers off planes stuck on the tarmac and for providing food, water, trash removal, toilet cleaning and temperature controls.
The report was based on a combination of media accounts, government statistics and verified eyewitness accounts sent in to its website (http://www.flyersrights.org).
This year’s Special Award winners included:
- Delta won the "When you are on the ground they treat you like dirt" Award, for having the most and longest strandings and the most callous disregard for passengers.
- American Airlines won the “Flying Fickle Finger of Fate” Award, for diverting a 13 hour flight from Japan to Detroit, where it sat on the tarmac for 7.5 hours, forcing passengers to spend 20.5 hours on board. Vomit was in the sink and toilets, and the toilets were inoperable.
- US Airways won the “Nausea” Award for having the worst overflowing toilets.
- Southwest Airlines won the "My Heavens" award for best airline overall, since Southwest maintains a “contract of carriage” that protects passengers against strandings.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Canada and US Mark Up Passengers Rights Bills on Same Day
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Kate Hanni 707-337-0328 for more info.
Canada and United States to Consider Airline Passengers Rights on Same Day...
March 5th, 2009
Joint US/Canada Teleconference Wednesday: March 4th at 11:30 am EST
Who: Kate Hanni Exec. Dir. FlyersRights.org (CAPBOR) will be joined by HON. Woodrow French, Mayor of Newfoundland Canada, HON. Jim Maloway, Member of Parliament, Bruce Cran President of Consumer's Association of Canada to participate in a Teleconference discussing the serendipity of Canada and the US considering an "Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights" on the same day.
What/When: The teleconference will take place March 4th at 11:30 am ET, the day before FlyersRights legislation is to be considered in both the Canadian House of Commons and the Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure of the US House of Representatives.
On Thursday March 5th the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is scheduled to Mark up HR: 915 at 11:00 am, which contains an airline passengers bill of rights, simultaneously the Canadian Parliament House of Commons will debate C-310 the Canadian Airline Passengers Bill of Rights.
For an update on these two bills that will transform airline passengers rights in North America, please join us at 11:30 am Eastern Time to find out what these bills offer and why North America needs meaningful Passengers Rights legislation!
- Toll-Free Dial-In Number: 888-296-6828- Toll Dial-In Number: 916-233-0780- Participant PIN: 193856#
Call us!
To Book any of the participants call Kate Hanni (707) 337-0328
Contact: Kate Hanni 707-337-0328 for more info.
Canada and United States to Consider Airline Passengers Rights on Same Day...
March 5th, 2009
Joint US/Canada Teleconference Wednesday: March 4th at 11:30 am EST
Who: Kate Hanni Exec. Dir. FlyersRights.org (CAPBOR) will be joined by HON. Woodrow French, Mayor of Newfoundland Canada, HON. Jim Maloway, Member of Parliament, Bruce Cran President of Consumer's Association of Canada to participate in a Teleconference discussing the serendipity of Canada and the US considering an "Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights" on the same day.
What/When: The teleconference will take place March 4th at 11:30 am ET, the day before FlyersRights legislation is to be considered in both the Canadian House of Commons and the Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure of the US House of Representatives.
On Thursday March 5th the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is scheduled to Mark up HR: 915 at 11:00 am, which contains an airline passengers bill of rights, simultaneously the Canadian Parliament House of Commons will debate C-310 the Canadian Airline Passengers Bill of Rights.
For an update on these two bills that will transform airline passengers rights in North America, please join us at 11:30 am Eastern Time to find out what these bills offer and why North America needs meaningful Passengers Rights legislation!
- Toll-Free Dial-In Number: 888-296-6828- Toll Dial-In Number: 916-233-0780- Participant PIN: 193856#
Call us!
To Book any of the participants call Kate Hanni (707) 337-0328
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Letters and Faxes to send your Congressman/Senator
To: Congressman ________________
From: _________________________
Subject: Support of Congressman Mike Thompsons Airline Passengers Bill of Rights HR: 624 with meaningful standards for airline passengers essential needs and the right to deplane after 3 hours on the tarmac.
Please agree to co-sponsor this important piece of legislation that will restore the most basic of civil rights, dignity and well being to air travel.
Enough is enough!
Sincerely,
____________________
To: Senator__________________
From:_______________________
Subject: Support of Senators Barbara Boxer and Olympia Snowe’s Airline Passengers Bill of Rights. S: 213 has meaningful standards for airline passengers essential needs and the right to deplane after 3 hours on the tarmac.
Please agree to co-sponsor this important, bi-partisan legislation that will restore the most basic of civil rights, dignity and well being to air travel.
Enough is Enough!
Sincerely,
____________________
From: _________________________
Subject: Support of Congressman Mike Thompsons Airline Passengers Bill of Rights HR: 624 with meaningful standards for airline passengers essential needs and the right to deplane after 3 hours on the tarmac.
Please agree to co-sponsor this important piece of legislation that will restore the most basic of civil rights, dignity and well being to air travel.
Enough is enough!
Sincerely,
____________________
To: Senator__________________
From:_______________________
Subject: Support of Senators Barbara Boxer and Olympia Snowe’s Airline Passengers Bill of Rights. S: 213 has meaningful standards for airline passengers essential needs and the right to deplane after 3 hours on the tarmac.
Please agree to co-sponsor this important, bi-partisan legislation that will restore the most basic of civil rights, dignity and well being to air travel.
Enough is Enough!
Sincerely,
____________________
Kate Hanni to Testify Before House Aviation Subcommittee February 11th, 2009
HOB Rayburn 2167
2:00 p.m.
Kate will testify as to the horrifying year 2008 was for airline passengers and what's to come.
Kate
2:00 p.m.
Kate will testify as to the horrifying year 2008 was for airline passengers and what's to come.
Kate
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Critics miss the point of new tarmac statistics - December 15, 2008
Two weeks ago the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released commercial airline performance statistics for the month of October, something they’ve been doing every month for the past 13 years. What was remarkable about this release was that, beginning October 1st and for the first time in history, airlines were required to report tarmac statistics for diverted and cancelled flights, and other tarmac delays.
Following mass tarmac strandings in late 2006 and early 2007, in which thousands of passengers were held on airplanes for 9, 10 and 11 hours without food, water and adequate restroom facilities, airline passenger consumer advocates began arguing for federal legislation to address the problem. Airline lobbyists countered by citing government statistics that showed, for example, that only 36 flights were affected by tarmac delays of over 5 hours in 2006, and thus the problem wasn’t significant enough to warrant congressional intervention.
There was just one problem with the airline’s argument; the statistics weren’t accurate. They weren’t even close. In the spring of 2007 when articles began appearing in major media outlets citing these statistics, Kate Hanni, who by then had founded the Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights, got suspicious and asked her research department to look into the matter. After sifting through Bureau of Transportation (BTS) statistics and DOT regulations, the truth emerged. It turned out that the government was omitting flight information for potentially thousands of tarmac strandings;
The list goes on and on, and many other incidents will be forever unknown except by those who suffered through them. None of these flights were counted by the airlines or by the government. There were no statistics. It was as if all this never happened. And this is just the way the airlines wanted to keep it.
The only reason anyone knew about these incidents was that passengers got angry. They called the media and they called Kate Hanni’s hotline. So Ms. Hanni and her supporters fought hard to get the airline statistics rules changed, and last spring, the DOT enacted regulations that closed many (though not all) of the reporting loopholes. Those new regulations went into effect on October 1st.
When the statistics for October were finally released two weeks ago, airline lobbyists were dancing in the streets. The statistics showed that 50 flights had been stranded for more than 3 hours, and 6 had been stranded for more than 4 hours. It took only minutes for airline funded mouthpieces masquerading as consumer advocates to begin heralding the report as a defeat for airline passengers’ rights.
But they missed the point, again.
First, the new statistics aren’t intended to expose chronic tarmac delays during months when everything goes right. They’re intended to count tarmac delays when things go wrong. Even still, 34%-to-38% of the newfound data is due to the new regulations.
Also, before October 1st, there was no way for the public or the Congress to understand the extent of what the airlines were doing when things went wrong. Now there is.
In addition, the new regulations are a victory for the tens of thousands of passengers stranded on tarmacs in the past who were never counted. And they are a victory for every passenger that flies today and in the future not only because many of the loopholes have been closed, but because now (like never before), the airlines know we are watching. And that alone could provide the motivation necessary for them to treat their passengers better.
Following mass tarmac strandings in late 2006 and early 2007, in which thousands of passengers were held on airplanes for 9, 10 and 11 hours without food, water and adequate restroom facilities, airline passenger consumer advocates began arguing for federal legislation to address the problem. Airline lobbyists countered by citing government statistics that showed, for example, that only 36 flights were affected by tarmac delays of over 5 hours in 2006, and thus the problem wasn’t significant enough to warrant congressional intervention.
There was just one problem with the airline’s argument; the statistics weren’t accurate. They weren’t even close. In the spring of 2007 when articles began appearing in major media outlets citing these statistics, Kate Hanni, who by then had founded the Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights, got suspicious and asked her research department to look into the matter. After sifting through Bureau of Transportation (BTS) statistics and DOT regulations, the truth emerged. It turned out that the government was omitting flight information for potentially thousands of tarmac strandings;
- On December 29, 2006, over 120 diverted flights were stuck on tarmacs at airports in the southwest; some for over nine hours.
- On February 14, 2007, dozens of flights that were eventually cancelled were stuck on tarmacs at airports in the northeast for up to 11 hours.
- On April 24, 2007, a large number of diverted flights were stuck on tarmacs at airports in the southwest for up to 8 hours.
The list goes on and on, and many other incidents will be forever unknown except by those who suffered through them. None of these flights were counted by the airlines or by the government. There were no statistics. It was as if all this never happened. And this is just the way the airlines wanted to keep it.
The only reason anyone knew about these incidents was that passengers got angry. They called the media and they called Kate Hanni’s hotline. So Ms. Hanni and her supporters fought hard to get the airline statistics rules changed, and last spring, the DOT enacted regulations that closed many (though not all) of the reporting loopholes. Those new regulations went into effect on October 1st.
When the statistics for October were finally released two weeks ago, airline lobbyists were dancing in the streets. The statistics showed that 50 flights had been stranded for more than 3 hours, and 6 had been stranded for more than 4 hours. It took only minutes for airline funded mouthpieces masquerading as consumer advocates to begin heralding the report as a defeat for airline passengers’ rights.
But they missed the point, again.
First, the new statistics aren’t intended to expose chronic tarmac delays during months when everything goes right. They’re intended to count tarmac delays when things go wrong. Even still, 34%-to-38% of the newfound data is due to the new regulations.
Also, before October 1st, there was no way for the public or the Congress to understand the extent of what the airlines were doing when things went wrong. Now there is.
In addition, the new regulations are a victory for the tens of thousands of passengers stranded on tarmacs in the past who were never counted. And they are a victory for every passenger that flies today and in the future not only because many of the loopholes have been closed, but because now (like never before), the airlines know we are watching. And that alone could provide the motivation necessary for them to treat their passengers better.
###
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
New Airline Passengers' Rights Bill Takes Flight in Senate
New Airline Passengers Rights Bill Takes Flight in 111th Congress
Senators Boxer and Snowe Piloting New Law in the Senate
NAPA, Calif., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- FlyersRights.org issued the following statement from its spokesperson, Kate Hanni, on news that Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) today introduced the Airline Passengers Bill of Rights in the Senate. The bill will give airline passengers legal rights by preventing them from being held indefinitely on planes, ensuring passengers' needs are met, and helping airlines coordinate with government agencies.
"We applaud Senator Boxer and Senator Snowe for introducing the Airline Passengers Bill of Rights in Congress to give passengers legal rights and ensure their well-being. For far too long, the airlines have put profits ahead of customer service and the basic human needs of the flying public. It is our hope that this bill will give passengers a legal voice when confronted with the horrific ordeal that tens of thousands of passengers have endured when held for many hours on airport tarmacs without food, water and other essential human needs.
Coalition representatives recently met with President-Elect Obama's transportation transition team, and Senator Obama was a co-sponsor of the previous bill, so we are excited about the prospects for this new bill.
We encourage all Members of Congress to join the efforts of Senator Boxer and Senator Snowe to ensure the passage of a comprehensive, enforceable Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights that would modernize and improve airline industry standards for customer service."
The main provisions of the new bill are:
Airlines to offer passengers the option of safely deplaning once they have sat on the ground for three hours after the plane door has closed.
Airlines to provide passengers with food, potable water, comfortable cabin temperature and ventilation and adequate restrooms while a plane is delayed on the ground.
A consumer complaint hotline so that passengers can alert the agency about delays.
Airports and airlines to develop contingency plans to be reviewed and approved by DOT, and fines for air carriers and airports that do not submit or fail to comply with contingency plans.
CAPBOR has 24,000 members and is the largest non-profit airline passengers rights Coalition.
SOURCE FlyersRights.org (formerly Coalition for an Airline Passengers Bill of Rights)
© 2008 SYS-CON Media Inc.
Senators Boxer and Snowe Piloting New Law in the Senate
NAPA, Calif., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- FlyersRights.org issued the following statement from its spokesperson, Kate Hanni, on news that Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) today introduced the Airline Passengers Bill of Rights in the Senate. The bill will give airline passengers legal rights by preventing them from being held indefinitely on planes, ensuring passengers' needs are met, and helping airlines coordinate with government agencies.
"We applaud Senator Boxer and Senator Snowe for introducing the Airline Passengers Bill of Rights in Congress to give passengers legal rights and ensure their well-being. For far too long, the airlines have put profits ahead of customer service and the basic human needs of the flying public. It is our hope that this bill will give passengers a legal voice when confronted with the horrific ordeal that tens of thousands of passengers have endured when held for many hours on airport tarmacs without food, water and other essential human needs.
Coalition representatives recently met with President-Elect Obama's transportation transition team, and Senator Obama was a co-sponsor of the previous bill, so we are excited about the prospects for this new bill.
We encourage all Members of Congress to join the efforts of Senator Boxer and Senator Snowe to ensure the passage of a comprehensive, enforceable Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights that would modernize and improve airline industry standards for customer service."
The main provisions of the new bill are:
Airlines to offer passengers the option of safely deplaning once they have sat on the ground for three hours after the plane door has closed.
Airlines to provide passengers with food, potable water, comfortable cabin temperature and ventilation and adequate restrooms while a plane is delayed on the ground.
A consumer complaint hotline so that passengers can alert the agency about delays.
Airports and airlines to develop contingency plans to be reviewed and approved by DOT, and fines for air carriers and airports that do not submit or fail to comply with contingency plans.
CAPBOR has 24,000 members and is the largest non-profit airline passengers rights Coalition.
SOURCE FlyersRights.org (formerly Coalition for an Airline Passengers Bill of Rights)
© 2008 SYS-CON Media Inc.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Kate Hanni: Story of Amy Evans Cancer Patient Stuck in Airport ala United
Jan '08 First Horror Story Press Release
PRESS RELEASE
Air Passenger Advocacy Group Helps Cancer Patient in Need
When a traveler flying to San Diego for life-saving surgery is denied boarding, the Coalition for Airline Passenger Rights steps in to help
Passengers on a New Year’s Eve United Airlines flight from Eugene, Oregon to San Diego were appalled when a rude and uncooperative gate agent refused boarding to a wheelchair-bound passenger trying to reach San Diego for an urgently needed surgical procedure for her cancer. The passenger, a 26 year-old woman named Amy Evans, was told by the airline that she would have to remove all of her medications from her carry-on luggage and place all of it in two clear plastic bags. The airline then informed Amy that she now had to PAY for checking the two additional pieces of “luggage”. Then Amy was told that she would have to sign a Waiver of Liability in case the medications (worth several thousand dollars) were damaged or destroyed. When Amy refused to sign the form, the United Airlines agent, a surly young man named Ted (ironically!) not only refused to allow her to board, but actually went so far as to reach into Amy’s purse, grab her boarding passes and rip up Amy’s tickets in front of her. He then made an announcement over the loud system that he was not going to allow her to board in an inexplicable effort to embarrass her publicly. According to accounts from several of the other passengers, Amy was acting calmly and in no way warranted the poor treatment she received. Many other passengers went so far as to tell the agent that they would not board the plane themselves unless he allowed the young woman to board, but he still refused. Fortunately for Amy, SIX of her fellow passengers called our toll-free hotline to report the incident. The hotline volunteer quickly contacted the Coalition’s President and Founder Kate Hanni, who wasted no time getting involved personally to help the desperate young woman. Kate immediately phoned Amy, who was immensely relieved and grateful for the assistance. Kate immediately contacted the Airport Authority office in Eugene to report the incident and attempt to resolve Amy’s dilemma. Kate spent the next SIXTEEN hours working to help Amy reach her destination, monitoring her progress.
Fortunately, not everyone in Eugene, Oregon is as nasty as Ted. Kate was able to reach a wonderful and cooperative woman at the airport named Kathryn who immediately leaped into action to help. Kathryn contacted the United Airlines administrative office to see what steps could be taken to help Amy. The airline was embarrassed when they learned about what had occurred and quickly issued a $10 food voucher to Amy and booked her on the next flight to San Diego. After a weather delay in San Francisco, Amy eventually reached San Diego at 11pm that night where her medications were waiting at the airport. We are pleased to report that Amy made it in time for her scheduled surgery and is doing well. Kate is now working to help Amy file a complaint against the airline and asking for full reimbursement for the unfair baggage charges.
This is a perfect example of why we have a HOTLINE! We are first and foremost an advocacy group that exists to help ALL passengers and assure that they are treated fairly. The coalition is gratified that our free hotline was able to make such an important difference to someone like Amy. We hope you will help with a donation and assure we can continue providing this valuable service by logging into www.flyersrights.com/contribute.html .
We urgently need your help to continue this important struggle for your rights and safety. Although our membership is up, donations have recently dropped, making it exceedingly difficult for us to continue this fight. It costs a lot of money to continue our lobbying efforts, run the hotline and pay for press releases on the PR Newswire. We even help defray the costs for some passengers who couldn’t otherwise afford it to fly to Washington, DC to have them testify before Congress and allow them to tell their stories to politicians in an effort to make them understand the plight of air passengers today and help us get our Passenger Bill of Rights passed.
One of our coalition members recently made the generous offer to donate $25,000 to our cause if we could raise a matching amount through donations from our members. Although we have made progress, we are still short of our goal and urgently need your assistance. Many of our members are opting to sign up for our donation subscription service as an easy and painless way to donate to the cause. A small monthly donation can be automatically deducted from your account to help us fight for your rights as an airline passenger. Please go to our web site and see how safe, easy and convenient it is to contribute to this worthy cause. We’re also pleased to announce another great (and painless) way to help the cause. When you apply for the new FlyersRights Platinum Visa Card, our issuing bank (UMB) will donate $50 to FlyersRights the very first time you use it! And UMB will donate a percentage of all your future purchases on the card to FlyersRights as well! All the benefits of a Platinum Visa card will be yours, along with the satisfaction of showing your support for the FlyersRights mission every time you use your card. We hope you will take advantage of this fantastic opportunity and use your new card each time you pay for an airfare. Let the airlines know that you expect to be treated fairly whenever you fly and that you support the FlyersRights Coalition.
We urge you to visit our web site and learn about the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights that we are trying to get passed. Canada recently passed legislation to safeguard the rights of its citizens whenever they fly. Don’t Americans deserve the same type of protection?!! Please help us fight for this important legislation and make a contribution today.
We wish all of you a very Happy New Year and thank you for your kind and generous support!
Best wishes,
The Coalition for an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights [CAPBOR]
Kate Hanni
Executive Director
PRESS RELEASE
Air Passenger Advocacy Group Helps Cancer Patient in Need
When a traveler flying to San Diego for life-saving surgery is denied boarding, the Coalition for Airline Passenger Rights steps in to help
Passengers on a New Year’s Eve United Airlines flight from Eugene, Oregon to San Diego were appalled when a rude and uncooperative gate agent refused boarding to a wheelchair-bound passenger trying to reach San Diego for an urgently needed surgical procedure for her cancer. The passenger, a 26 year-old woman named Amy Evans, was told by the airline that she would have to remove all of her medications from her carry-on luggage and place all of it in two clear plastic bags. The airline then informed Amy that she now had to PAY for checking the two additional pieces of “luggage”. Then Amy was told that she would have to sign a Waiver of Liability in case the medications (worth several thousand dollars) were damaged or destroyed. When Amy refused to sign the form, the United Airlines agent, a surly young man named Ted (ironically!) not only refused to allow her to board, but actually went so far as to reach into Amy’s purse, grab her boarding passes and rip up Amy’s tickets in front of her. He then made an announcement over the loud system that he was not going to allow her to board in an inexplicable effort to embarrass her publicly. According to accounts from several of the other passengers, Amy was acting calmly and in no way warranted the poor treatment she received. Many other passengers went so far as to tell the agent that they would not board the plane themselves unless he allowed the young woman to board, but he still refused. Fortunately for Amy, SIX of her fellow passengers called our toll-free hotline to report the incident. The hotline volunteer quickly contacted the Coalition’s President and Founder Kate Hanni, who wasted no time getting involved personally to help the desperate young woman. Kate immediately phoned Amy, who was immensely relieved and grateful for the assistance. Kate immediately contacted the Airport Authority office in Eugene to report the incident and attempt to resolve Amy’s dilemma. Kate spent the next SIXTEEN hours working to help Amy reach her destination, monitoring her progress.
Fortunately, not everyone in Eugene, Oregon is as nasty as Ted. Kate was able to reach a wonderful and cooperative woman at the airport named Kathryn who immediately leaped into action to help. Kathryn contacted the United Airlines administrative office to see what steps could be taken to help Amy. The airline was embarrassed when they learned about what had occurred and quickly issued a $10 food voucher to Amy and booked her on the next flight to San Diego. After a weather delay in San Francisco, Amy eventually reached San Diego at 11pm that night where her medications were waiting at the airport. We are pleased to report that Amy made it in time for her scheduled surgery and is doing well. Kate is now working to help Amy file a complaint against the airline and asking for full reimbursement for the unfair baggage charges.
This is a perfect example of why we have a HOTLINE! We are first and foremost an advocacy group that exists to help ALL passengers and assure that they are treated fairly. The coalition is gratified that our free hotline was able to make such an important difference to someone like Amy. We hope you will help with a donation and assure we can continue providing this valuable service by logging into www.flyersrights.com/contribute.html .
We urgently need your help to continue this important struggle for your rights and safety. Although our membership is up, donations have recently dropped, making it exceedingly difficult for us to continue this fight. It costs a lot of money to continue our lobbying efforts, run the hotline and pay for press releases on the PR Newswire. We even help defray the costs for some passengers who couldn’t otherwise afford it to fly to Washington, DC to have them testify before Congress and allow them to tell their stories to politicians in an effort to make them understand the plight of air passengers today and help us get our Passenger Bill of Rights passed.
One of our coalition members recently made the generous offer to donate $25,000 to our cause if we could raise a matching amount through donations from our members. Although we have made progress, we are still short of our goal and urgently need your assistance. Many of our members are opting to sign up for our donation subscription service as an easy and painless way to donate to the cause. A small monthly donation can be automatically deducted from your account to help us fight for your rights as an airline passenger. Please go to our web site and see how safe, easy and convenient it is to contribute to this worthy cause. We’re also pleased to announce another great (and painless) way to help the cause. When you apply for the new FlyersRights Platinum Visa Card, our issuing bank (UMB) will donate $50 to FlyersRights the very first time you use it! And UMB will donate a percentage of all your future purchases on the card to FlyersRights as well! All the benefits of a Platinum Visa card will be yours, along with the satisfaction of showing your support for the FlyersRights mission every time you use your card. We hope you will take advantage of this fantastic opportunity and use your new card each time you pay for an airfare. Let the airlines know that you expect to be treated fairly whenever you fly and that you support the FlyersRights Coalition.
We urge you to visit our web site and learn about the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights that we are trying to get passed. Canada recently passed legislation to safeguard the rights of its citizens whenever they fly. Don’t Americans deserve the same type of protection?!! Please help us fight for this important legislation and make a contribution today.
We wish all of you a very Happy New Year and thank you for your kind and generous support!
Best wishes,
The Coalition for an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights [CAPBOR]
Kate Hanni
Executive Director
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Post has been hacked. WE are working to fix the problem
Our post was hacked last night with strange postings that were not generated by us.
Clearly there are forces at hand that would like to destroy our credibility. We will figure out who did this and protect ourselves from future attacks.
Kate Hanni
Executive Director
CAPBOR
Clearly there are forces at hand that would like to destroy our credibility. We will figure out who did this and protect ourselves from future attacks.
Kate Hanni
Executive Director
CAPBOR
Monday, September 22, 2008
Airlines Get 500 Million in your Tax Dollars and Passengers Get Nothing
OBERSTAR URGED TO GIVE STRANDED AIRLINE PASSENGERS RELIEF
AS PART OF $500M INSURANCE SUBSIDY
Unless emergency bill is amended, airlines will get $500M – and passengers get bumped
WASHINGTON (September 22) – The head of the nation’s leading passenger rights organization today urged Congressman James Oberstar (DFL-MN) to give relief to stranded airline passengers as part of emergency legislation re-authorizing the Federal Aviation Administration. The bill, under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure which Oberstar chairs, gives the airlines $500 million in taxpayer-funded “war insurance,” but fails to contain an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights that would give relief to flyers who are now stuck inside the aircraft indefinitely while planes’ departures are delayed.
“I urge Chairman Oberstar not to give the airlines’ lobbyists and campaign donations a seat in First Class at the expense of passengers who are stuck back in coach – for eight or nine hours at a time,” said Kate Hanni, President of the Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights (http://www.flyersrights.org).
“Today, the airlines can keep you stranded indefinitely on the tarmac in a sealed metal tube, and there’s nothing you can do about it. We’re only asking that after three hours, they take you back to the terminal and let you get some fresh air, food, fresh water and a toilet that works. We urge Congressman Oberstar, as chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to use his influence to give relief to these stranded passengers as part of emergency legislation now before his Committee to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration.”
Hanni explained that Congress must enact an emergency extension of legislation reauthorizing the FAA by September 30, or the Agency must legally shut its doors. The airlines, which spent $16 million this year alone on lobbying, according to http://www.opensecrets.org, have obtained an amendment to the measure granting them $500 million in insurance guarantees against future acts of terrorism. Congress has so far refused, however, to include provisions creating a legally-enforceable “Passengers’ Bill of Rights,” including a requirement that passengers be returned to the terminal and let off their aircraft after three hours of delay.
“Maybe if more Members of Congress rode in coach with the rest of us instead of flying in First Class or on corporate jets, they’d be more compassionate. In the meantime, we’ll make sure their constituents know it if they give airline donors big bucks while passengers get bumped.”
Hanni, a private citizen who took on the airlines after she was forced to sit for 9 hours waiting for a flight to take off, says that the Coalition will do “everything in our power” to apply citizen pressure to the legislators in the days remaining before both Houses take up legislation extending the FAA’s re-authorization. The FAA’s authorization expires on September 30 and Congressional leaders have not said when the re-authorization legislation will be voted upon.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2008
CONTACT : MIKE COLLINS
TEL.: (202) 494-6105
EMAIL: mikecollinspr@cox.netber
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