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Entry bubble Travelling? Tarmac Delays and Your Rights

By: Jake | September 28, 2009 | Category: Travel

Have you ever been on a plane that was grounded due to some sort of flight delay? I sat on the runway for a half hour waiting to take off once and I wasn't thrilled.

I could not imagine what it would be like to sit on the tarmac for almost six hours like some folks on their way to Minnesota did in August. According to the Department of Transportation, of the more than half a million flights in July there were 105 tarmac delays that were longer than 3 hours and 16 of these were longer than 4 hours.

There may be an end to these tarmac delays soon. If passed into law, the Federal Aviation Administration Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act will ban tarmac ground delays of 3 hours and longer. After the 3 hours pass, airplanes will be required to allow passengers to get off the plane. 

Airport upgrades are the main goal of the bill, but there are other provisions for consumers. In addition to the ban on keeping passengers on the plane for more than 3 hours, the law would require airline companies to provide essential services like water, food, functioning bathrooms and access to necessary medical treatment during delays. It would also set up an airline complaint phone line.

Keep in mind this is a bill and not a law and it still needs approval from the Senate and President. What do you think of the Federal Aviation Administration Air Transportation and Modernization and Safety Improvement Act?

| Post a Comment | View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: airport_delays   tarmac_flight_delays   travelling_delays  

Comments (4):

blue comment bubble Posted by john morley on September 28, 2009 at 11:27 AM EDT

The new proposed trans. bill concerning tarmac delays to my knowlegde would still allow us to be left sitting on the tarmac for upto 3 hours. 3 hours 3HOURS. Somehow 3hours on tarmac sounds ludicris.

Just goes to show what some lawmakers really think of their constituents.

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blue comment bubble Posted by sceptic on September 29, 2009 at 07:44 AM EDT

sometimes delays are not the fault of the airline, but other factors can add up. sometimes it is nothing more than a comedy of errors, each one piling up on another until you ahve one big mess, and generally it is the passengers, the consumers, sitting in the dark, no control, no recourse. Delays will continue, but this will add accountability and hopefully incentive for the airlines to minimize delays. How about adding a movie while you wait?

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blue comment bubble Posted by Ron Derven on October 24, 2009 at 09:14 PM EDT

This law sounds good--long past due. I was once on a plane for six hours sitting at an airpot. It was agony.

Ron D
http://www.start-a-business-faq.com

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blue comment bubble Posted by Chris (Amateur Traveler podcast) on November 18, 2009 at 02:24 AM EST

The problem is that when you get back to the terminal it is very likely that your flight will be cancelled. So if you knew you could leave if you waited just 30 more minutes on the plane you might choose to do that over spending the night in the airport. Of course, when it is weather delays that 30 minutes might turn into 60 into 90. There is the rub.

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