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New York Airline Passengers Get Some Needed Rights

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Contributed by: Michael Turner on 12/22/2007

A federal judge in Albany, New York, upheld a recently passed New York law that penalizes airlines if they do not offer adequate services to passengers stranded on the tarmac for more than three hours. The law, which will most likely be reviewed by higher courts, is in response to the airlines lack of interest in improving conditions for passengers who are stranded on airplanes during inclement weather.

Earlier this year there were a flurry of incidents, most notably in the eastern part of the country, where passengers were forced to sit on crowded planes without fresh air, clean restrooms, food, and water. It is understandable why the New York legislators passed this law. It is no different than the city asking a citizen to clean up a litter-strewn lot and if it is not done in a timely manner, a company will be contracted to take care of the problem, and then a bill is sent to the property owner.

Even though this may be a major crisis for passengers, the airlines choose not to ameliorate the situation. The New York law will probably spur other states to do the same, and quite possibly, Congress will offer its own Passenger Bill of Rights.

Why would the airlines subject their passengers to such torture? I don't have a ready explanation. The only thing that comes to mind is that the pilot and flight attendants pay is tied to when the plane leaves the gate. If the aircraft is stuck at the gate the time clock is on hold. If this is the case, then this is the incentive for sitting on the tarmac.

Whatever the reason, it is cruel and unusual punishment. The airlines know people have few options if they are traveling across the country or around the world. So, lets take advantage of them. No wonder the carriers are in a perpetual state of crisis.

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