Posted on 06/19/2024 4:53:50 AM PDT by davikkm
The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced a final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). This rule requires airlines to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds under specific circumstances. Here are the key points:
Canceled or Significantly Changed Flights: Passengers are entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed (as defined by the rule). Significant changes include: Departure or arrival times more than 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally. Departures or arrivals from a different airport. Increases in the number of connections. Downgrading passengers to a lower class of service. Connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.
(Excerpt) Read more at citizenwatchreport.com ...
Driving up the price of airline tickets
You mean increased government regulatory costs get passed on to the consumer?
How about working with the airlines to fix the problems that are causing the delays rather than fining them for delays most likely caused by government regulations.
“New US law mandates”
“recently announced a final rule”
So which is it, a “law” or a “rule”, and if it is a “rule”, then what authority does the White House have to issue it?
Weather is the biggest issue causing delays.
I could see a $250 ticket going to $350 immediately, and probably to $450 after six months.
Would really help to downsize airport operations/flights, and eliminate probably a quarter of all flights.
>Driving up the price of airline tickets<
Also causing more cancellations and delays.
At first blush, I thought there was going to be a ton of regulatory overreach. Then after reading the rule, most of the stuff is refunds for services not rendered. That’s not a big issue as most reputable airlines already do that.
Then after reading the inconvenience rules, it was apparent the airlines will be more apt to cancel flights that might encroach on the 3/6 hour delay limit for a refund. Why fly the flight for free when you can just cancel it and not incur the operating cost?
Also, a passenger that needs reaccommodated on a different flight will be shoehorned into fewer options. I see no option for the passenger to waive any restriction. It may take days to meet the original conditions of the cancelled flight.
EC
What’s next. Make Amazon pay you instant cash when your package dosent arrive when they say it will.
Headline is contradicted by the first sentence (not a ‘law’).
While the affected passenger might welcome some remedy of their situation, it is another fat-fingered entry of government into the private world.
Soon the little people will stop flying anyway.
“What’s next. Make Amazon pay you instant cash when your package dosent arrive when they say it will.”
Quiet!
Weather is the biggest issue causing delays...
I think we can make a law to fix that...
/sarc
Except that would drive up prices. Flights are pretty full these days.
Damn Dick Cheney and his weather control machine.
My guess is this would create an immediate security problem. How much CASH would airline employees at the airport have to HAVE ON HAND to POTENTIALLY immediately refund? Most airline tickets are paid for by credit or debit card.
Will airlines have to keep a safe full of unused cash at all the airports they serve JUST IN CASE a flight is delayed or cancelled?
What is the definition of “delayed”? 5 minutes? 30 minutes? One hour?
This is a DANGEROUS development. There will be serious pressure to fly aircraft that might have some maintenance issue pop up. The airline will be out a pile of cash if the flight is delayed. Can you imagine the amount of cash needed to pay immediate refunds to a planeload of say, 175 to 250 passengers?
This is an unworkable demand that could put airlines out of business, create robbery thefts at airports and get passengers killed by airlines desperately wanting to avoid paying huge piles of cash over an unexpected maintenance delay.
When cheap politicians start mandating details like how much someone should get paid for a flight delay, its a sign Airlines have become a state-run oligopoly. Service is going to become far worse, not better.
Bring back trains, but in an open and free-market way
When I was a kid, airline travel was a big deal and I didn’t know any families that flew to vacation destinations.
Can I get instant compensation from Kroger’s Grocery if they’re out of the bread I usually buy?
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