Civic Register
| 9.24.18
Congress Passes FAA Bill That Requires More Legroom – But No ‘Airline Fee’ Controls
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What’s the story?
- Congress has passed legislation to reauthorize – and restructure – the Federal Aviation Administration. It now awaits the president's signature.
- The bill is being celebrated by Delta, United, and American airlines as Congress dropped plans to mandate “reasonable and proportional” baggage and change fees.
- The bill contains nearly 20 significant changes to airline travel.
What does the bill do?
- Require the FAA to set minimum requirements for airline seat sizes. ("Relief could soon be on the way for weary airline passengers facing smaller and smaller seats,” Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) said.
- Blocks involuntary bumping of passengers who’ve boarded a plane. ("This measure will provide long-term certainty for the millions of passengers and countless businesses that rely on access to safe, affordable travel and shipping options every day," Nicholas E. Calio, president and CEO of Airlines for America, which represents the industry, said in a statement.)
- Makes it unlawful to place dogs in overhead bins.
- Requires the FAA to establish "reasonable" measures to ensure people aren't pretending their pets are service animals.
- Makes it a violation of federal law to smoke e-cigarettes or make mobile phone calls while in flight.
- Requires airlines to refund passengers for services they paid for but didn’t receive (e.g., you paid for WiFi that didn’t work; the business-class seat you booked isn’t available).
- Mandates flight attendants get a minimum of 10 hours of rest between work shifts.
- Requires regulators to “determine if it is unfair or deceptive for airlines to tell passengers 'that a flight is delayed or canceled due to weather alone when other factors are involved,’” according to Reuters.
- Requires the Department of Transportation to create an “aviation consumer advocate” to assist passengers in resolving air travel complaints.
- Gives the TSA the authority to require airlines to let pregnant women board first.
- Requiressssss the FAA to “broaden existing rules to accommodate regular flights of package-delivery drones."
- Allows passengers to check strollers if they’re travelling with a child.
- Requires the FAA to create an "Office of Spaceports," according to Reuters, which will "provide guidance, support licensing for spaceports, and promote infrastructure improvements for future space travel."
What do you think?
Are you glad this bill is taking off? Or do you wish your reps had grounded it? Will it influence your midterm vote? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.
—Josh Herman
(Illustration Credit: iStock.com / roccomontoya)
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