No one is going to argue that sitting on the tarmac, stuck in an airplane for hours on end is a good thing. Not even a claustrophobia-loving masochist, if there is such a thing.
But passing a Washington state airline passenger bill of rights is not the way to address the problem. This is a national issue, requiring a national passenger bill of rights. Such a bill is working its way through Congress. New York last year became the first state to pass a passengers’ bill of rights, when Congress did not. Now seven other states, including Washington, are considering their own legislation. Other than perhaps spurring Congress to act, it’s pretty much a waste of time, despite its feel-goodness.
The problem gained attention last year after some well-publicized incidents, including the hundreds of passengers stuck on 10 JetBlue planes who were stranded for 9 to 11 hours at Kennedy Airport in New York because of icy weather and gate congestion.
The premise of the passenger bill of rights is that after three hours, passengers deserve food, water, fresh air, working restrooms and the ability to get medical care.
The JetBlue type of horror story is fairly rare, which is why they make big news when they do happen.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Sea-Tac Airport has had only two flights delayed on the tarmac for more than three hours in the past two years. Supporters of the bill say it has happened more than that, perhaps seven times. If true, was anyone denied necessities? The three hours, in and of itself, wouldn’t violate a passenger bill of rights if the passengers are given food, water and bathroom access.
State Sen. Ken Jacobsen, sponsor of the bill, said he, himself, has sat on a runway for four hours. Again, the bill wouldn’t address that — unless he was denied food, etc. But it would subject airlines to potential fines of up $1,000 per violation, per passenger. Even if the airline isn’t responsible for the delay? (Or only if passengers were denied necessities?)
Which is the real stickler — such legislation, whether state or federal — will do nothing to ease the problems that cause the delays in the first place.
The more important legislation that Congress will consider this year is the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. The current system, designed 40 years ago, is outdated and unsafe. The overburdened air-traffic control system is short about 1,000 controllers, the union reports.
Without a safe and efficient flight control system, passenger rights, even with a bill, won’t mean much.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
