I don’t think that flights of less than 60 should be covered: in general passengers on these smaller aircraft get more personal service and it would be less cumbersome to deplane passengers if needed. The 3-hour rule should apply to international carriers as well as US carriers. Small hub and non hub airports should also be subject to the 3-hour limit for domestic flights. Where a plane is at the gate and the aircraft door has not yet been closed, passengers should be permitted to deplane after, say, 1 hour. In addition, passengers should be able to deplane if the plane has returned to the gate and the delay is over 1 hour. In relation to deplaning delayed or diverted international passengers, I recall (admittedly a number of years ago) facing exactly the same issue when traveling trans-Pacific… more »
…and transiting Hawaii. We were always able to deplane in Hawaii as long as we remained within a certain area of the airport. At least we were able to stretch our legs and use the bathroom facilities in the airport. « less
I agree with DOT’s proposals on clarifying bumping rules and adequately compensating those involuntarily bumped. Passengers who are voluntarily or involutarily bumped should be advised by the gate agents on the cash/check/travel voucher option and the criteria for involuntary bumping prioritization.
On compensation, I think the actual ticket amount, plus a small premium to cover the unbundled aspects of the costs associated with the trip would suffice.
On overselling smaller aircraft: how many travelers on these flights are likely to be no shows, i.e., one assumes full fare/business travelers? Given that these smaller aircraft service less popular routes (and, thus, the alternative options are less frequent), oversales should be prohibited, but the airlines should allow a few passengers… more »
…to be on “stand by” in the event of a no show.
Zero-fare tickets should be compensated by recrediting the passenger with the number of miles used for the journey, plus cash for minor overhead costs. « less
I don’t think that flights of less than 60 should be covered: in general passengers on these smaller aircraft get more personal service and it would be less cumbersome to deplane passengers if needed. The 3-hour rule should apply to international carriers as well as US carriers. Small hub and non hub airports should also be subject to the 3-hour limit for domestic flights. Where a plane is at the gate and the aircraft door has not yet been closed, passengers should be permitted to deplane after, say, 1 hour. In addition, passengers should be able to deplane if the plane has returned to the gate and the delay is over 1 hour. In relation to deplaning delayed or diverted international passengers, I recall (admittedly a number of years ago) facing exactly the same issue when traveling trans-Pacific… more »
I agree with DOT’s proposals on clarifying bumping rules and adequately compensating those involuntarily bumped. Passengers who are voluntarily or involutarily bumped should be advised by the gate agents on the cash/check/travel voucher option and the criteria for involuntary bumping prioritization.
On compensation, I think the actual ticket amount, plus a small premium to cover the unbundled aspects of the costs associated with the trip would suffice.
On overselling smaller aircraft: how many travelers on these flights are likely to be no shows, i.e., one assumes full fare/business travelers? Given that these smaller aircraft service less popular routes (and, thus, the alternative options are less frequent), oversales should be prohibited, but the airlines should allow a few passengers… more »
Zero-fare tickets should be compensated by recrediting the passenger with the number of miles used for the journey, plus cash for minor overhead costs. « less