Profile: vec
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Thanks for the comments Vec. Do you have an specific reason or experiences that lead you to suggest that policies need to be spelled out for airlines?
Do others out there think that airlines need to have regulations spelled out with specificity? Or do you think that airlines should have some leeway to develop their own individual policies?
Why or why not?
Interesting thoughts on carry-on luggage, perhaps it will be something that the DOT will consider in the future.
If the DOT were to implement a carry-on fee, how would you want DOT to require airlines to disclose those fees? Is the DOT on track with its current proposals?
I agree with you Vec. I am severely allergic to cats which leads to many of the same symptoms that people with peanut allergies have (tightness in the chest, the feeling of their throat closing) for me these symptoms are made more severe because I also have asthma, which kicks in when I am around cats – airway constriction, uncontrollable coughing etc.
From reading some of the post I understand that the argument has been made that peanuts should be banned because people can die of a peanut allergy. I also believe that animals should also be banned then because people who are allergic and or have asthma could also die if they are on an extended flight with an animal they are allergic to.
According to the CDC the number of Asthma related deaths was 3,616 in 2006. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/asthma.htm
That’s ridiculous. I agree that there needs to be some compensation for those who use miles.
Also, airlines’ refusal to put people on other airlines’ flights has long annoyed me.
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I would like to see the DOT consider regulations regarding carry-on bags in the near future. I don’t check luggage so I would be against ticket prices being raised to cover one checked bag (although I think the airlines should allow it). I travel with a single, legal-size backpack and I dread the day I have to check it because others, rather than checking oversize bags decide to carry them on and they are not stopped at either security or the gate. The European and Asian airlines alreasy have fairly strict rules regarding carry-on luggage, I’d like to see the DOT consider something similar.
While I realize that peanut allergies can be severe, what about those of us with other allergies? I’m allergic to pet dander and unfortunately every major airline now allows animals in the cabin – while I understand the necessity of service animals, I’ve also seen animals snuck aboard or allowed out of our cages. I’m also allergic to large amounts of perfume or scent – I’ve broken out in hives after one occasion and had no real recourse.
The rules definitely need to be spelled out as specifically as possible and should apply to all airlines – I don’t trust the airlines to develop and enforce their own policy.
Previous experience with getting bumped off a flight (I was using miles) and the airline refused to put me on another carrier’s flight – instead I had a flight that was six hours later with absolutely no compensation. Basically the customer servie rep’s attitude was “It’s not my problem and you’re using miles so we owe you nothing.”
I’m not sure how I feel about a carry-on fee. I would prefer to support allowing a single carry-on bag of a reasonable size (like the 22x14x9) before a fee is added (not counting coats, baby bags or medical eqpt – unfortunately I’ve seen purses and laptop cases that are almsot luggage sized). Restictions need to be enforced at check-in, near security, and at the gate. I thought the FAA had mandated what was allowable, but I have seen people allowed on with more than the 1+1 or clearly oversized bags.
Current fees should clearly be listed on the front page of the airline’s website, on itineraries printed out, and on boarding passes – especially when people check in online.