Airline Consumer Protection Rules Set to Take Effect April 29
Published on: April 29, 2010
The U.S. Department of Transportation said new airline consumer protection rules will officially take effect on Thursday, April 29. Air travelers must no longer be subjected to lengthy tarmac delays on domestic flights and will enjoy additional consumer protections as a result of a new rule that will take effect tomorrow, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Airline passengers deserve to be treated fairly, and this new rule will require airlines to respect the rights of their customers,” he added.
Under the new rule, U.S. airlines operating domestic flights may not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac at large and medium hub airports for more than three hours without deplaning passengers, with exceptions allowed only for safety or security reasons or if air traffic control advises the pilot in command that returning to the terminal would disrupt airport operations. U.S. airlines operating international flights departing from or arriving in the United States must specify, in advance, their own time limits for deplaning passengers, with the same exceptions applicable. Airlines are required to provide adequate food and potable drinking water for passengers within two hours of the aircraft being delayed on the tarmac and to maintain operable lavatories and, if necessary, provide medical attention.
Secretary LaHood said the new rule should not lead to large increases in the number of canceled flights, as some have predicted. “Everyone knows the rules going in – the passengers and the airlines,” he said. “We expect carriers to take steps to avoid tarmac delays and cancellations by adjusting their schedules and providing timely information to passengers. A little extra planning will minimize disruptions while ensuring that passengers are not trapped aboard airplanes indefinitely.”
DOT said the rule limiting tarmac delays was adopted in response to a series of incidents in which passengers were stranded on the ground aboard aircraft for lengthy periods. The rule also prohibits the largest U.S. airlines from scheduling chronically delayed flights, subjecting those that do to DOT enforcement action for unfair and deceptive practices. It requires U.S. airlines to designate an airline employee to monitor the effects of flight delays and cancellations, respond in a timely and substantive fashion to consumer complaints and provide information to consumers on where to file complaints;. It mandates that U.S. airlines to adopt customer service plans and audit their own compliance with their plans. Finally, it prohibits U.S. airlines from retroactively applying material changes to their contracts of carriage that could have a negative impact on consumers who already have purchased tickets. In addition, beginning at the end of July, airlines will be required to display on their website flight delay information for each domestic flight they operate.
The DOT said it plans to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking within the next several months to further strengthen protections for air travelers. Among the areas under consideration are further requirements pertaining to tarmac delays and requirements relating to disclosure of baggage and other fees, and full-fare advertising. The new consumer rule, which was issued last December, is available at www.regulations.gov, docket DOT-OST-2007-0022. For more information, visit www.dot.gov.
TSA Institutes More-Focused Air Security Measures
Published on: April 5, 2010
The Transportation Security Administration will begin using new security measures this month
for all air carriers with international flights to the United States, replacing the emergency measures put into place after the attempted Christmas 2009 terrorist attack.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that the new protocols reflect the most current information available to the U.S. government and will apply to
all passengers traveling to the United States.
The new TSA procedures will replace the requirement of extra security screening for all passengers traveling to the U.S. from or through 14 countries that have been home to known terrorists -- Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi
Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The new procedures will require additional screening only for those passengers who match a specific description of a known or suspected
terrorist, including physical descriptions or travel patterns.
The new screening will be in addition to the screening of passengers whose names appear on terrorist watch lists.
The U.S. government's "no fly" list of suspected terrorists, who are banned from all flights to or within U.S. territory, currently includes about 6,000 names. The additional screening includes the use of explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams or full-body pat-downs, among other measures.
The country-specific procedures went into place after the attempted bombing of a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit on Dec. 25, 2009. A Nigerian man, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, has been charged with boarding the plane with a bomb hidden in his underwear. One of the reasons the alleged bomber was able to board the flight in Amsterdam was that his name was not on the U.S. terror watch list. However, officials failed to
even share a description of the suspected terrorist.
The new policy should significantly decrease the number of innocent travelers from the 14 countries who have been inconvenienced or delayed by the extra screening due to their travel route or home country.
Although the U.S. does not have the authority to screen passengers in foreign airports, if air carriers do not agree to follow the U.S. guidelines for international aviation security, they could be fined and potentially banned from operating flights to the U.S.
Napolitano commended many partners around the world “who have taken steps to increase their own security measures through deployment of new technology, enhanced information sharing and stronger standards to keep air travel safe.”
Napolitano also commended the release of the Surface Transportation Security Priority Assessment, calling it another important step in efforts to protect the nation’s traveling public from acts of terrorism. The assessment was developed through engagement with federal, state, local and tribal government partners as well as the private sector, provides a comprehensive framework of recommendations to enhance surface transportation
security. For more information, visit www.dhs.gov
U.S. State Department Issues Alert on Travel to Chile
Published on: March 2, 2010
The U.S. Department of State issued a alert to U.S. citizens about the dangers of Chile in the aftermath of the earthquake, which struck 73 miles north of Concepcion (Chile’s second-largest city, with a population of 650,000) and 197 miles south of Santiago. Chile has said nearly 800 people died in the event (though the final toll could go much higher), hundreds were injured and there has been damage to thousands of homes and commercial properties, as well as infrastructure. The Department of State is strongly urging U.S. citizens to avoid tourism and non-essential travel to Chile.
The Feb. 27 earthquake caused significant damage to the areas closest to the epicenter, including the cities of Concepcion, Talcahuano and Temuco. Santiago, Viña del Mar and Valparaiso were also affected by power outages and limited telecommunications. The Santiago International Airport has been closed to all but military operations (though the airport is expected to open for limited operations later in the week). U.S. citizens currently in Chile should contact family and friends in the U.S. to confirm their well-being at the earliest opportunity. Where Internet and telephone services are not available, it may be possible to contact people using SMS (cell text message) or other forms of social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
The Department of State warns that strong aftershocks are likely for weeks following a strong earthquake such as this one. The American Red Cross recommends that in the event of an aftershock, persons outdoors should avoid being struck by falling debris by moving to open spaces, away from walls, windows, buildings, and other structures that may collapse. Great care should be used with matches, lighters, candles, or any open flame in case of disrupted gas lines.
Americans living or traveling in Chile are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website to obtain updated information on travel and security within Chile. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Embassy in Santiago is located at Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile; phone 56-2-330 30 00, fax 56-2-330 30 05; the afterhours emergency line 56-2-330-3000. Travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 888-407-4747 or visiting www.travel.state.gov.
