Originally published Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Editorial
Basic rights for air passengers
THE consumer has a right to basic freedom and convenience — even when trapped in an airplane that may or may not take off in the next...
THE consumer has a right to basic freedom and convenience — even when trapped in an airplane that may or may not take off in the next few hours.
A series of unacceptably long airport holdovers with passengers stuck in airplanes for as long as 11 hours prompted a reasonable call for a passenger bill of rights.This is not some nanny-ish list of rules requiring airlines to be overly accommodating to passengers. That moment in airplane flying apparently has passed.
The passenger bill of rights, contained in a Senate bill proposed by Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine and Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, deals with basic courtesies and conveniences. There is no reason for Democrats or Republicans to allow this legislation to languish.
The bill says airlines must provide adequate food, potable water and restroom facilities for passengers during a delay. Who can argue with that? The bill also requires that passengers be allowed to deplane safely at least once during each 3-hour period the plane remains on the ground.
Exceptions are provided if the pilot intends to leave within 30 minutes or if deplaning would jeopardize passenger safety or security.
This is not complicated. It's basic, humane treatment of consumers. Rising fuel costs cannot be the blanket excuse for everything that ails airlines and passengers.
The state of New York attempted to impose a bill of rights for passengers stuck on the ground in epic delays. A federal court ruled the federal government, not individual states, must enact such law.
That makes sense. Fifty states with 50 different sets of rules would be unwieldy and unworkable.
This is why the federal government needs to get moving. Democrats and Republicans in Congress ought to demonstrate a little muscle and courage.
It is time to require that airlines not treat passengers like cattle when takeoff is delayed. This basic consumer protection should be approved without further delay.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: A tragic clash of cultures

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Man says he will protest city's gun ban by carrying gun into community center
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
632 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
260 - GOP clueless as families struggle with health care
180 - Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
178 - KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
142 - Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
139 - Wright State game thread
97 - Rang says Locker not ready for NFL
85 - Wilson "really, really excited to be back in Seattle"
76 - Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue
74
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- An 802.11n upgrade could make a big difference
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15








