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?

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