Fla. bill could charge airlines $100 for changing your flights

[safetymom]

http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2007/03/florida_mulls_i.html

This is an interesting idea.

 

[briar_rose_59]

Wouldn't that just make airfares go up though? The airlines would be making the money to compensate these people from other tickets. Granted, I know next to nothing about where exactly an airline's money comes from but I would assume the money has to come from somewhere (ie. other customers) unless the CEO's and whatnot are just willing to make less money (not very likely IMHO).

 

[Brian Noble]

Alternatively, it will just compress the advance window in which an airline is willing to publish a schedule. So, instead of waiting for only southwest to release fares at the last minute, we'll be waiting for all of them.

 

[CarolA]

I actually am not sure the state has the legal authority to do this. I don't think it will stand up to a court case. Airlines are regulated by a federal agency and this would be crossing state lines with state regulations...... Maybe if the airline was headquarted in FL?? I just have a feeling a good lawyer could overcome this quickly (and the airlines have lots of good lawyers)

And even the bill supporters agree with me

From the ariticle

" AP adds: "Bennett acknowledged it may be questionable whether a state can dictate pricing rules to an airline, but asked the committee to send a message to the airlines by approving the bill anyway.""

So all this really does is get publicity for the politican.....(Florida tax dollars at work LOL!)

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

(and the airlines have lots of good lawyers)

Yes, they do.....

And you're right... states cannot regulate the fare structure of an airline. Airlines operate under the US Department of Transportation and the FAA. Domestic fare regulation was abolished in 1983 as part of the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978.

It's nice to see our tax dollars spent in Florida are used to fund such progressive endeavors...

 

[pixie dust 112]

I actually am not sure the state has the legal authority to do this. I don't think it will stand up to a court case. Airlines are regulated by a federal agency and this would be crossing state lines with state regulations...... Maybe if the airline was headquarted in FL?? I just have a feeling a good lawyer could overcome this quickly (and the airlines have lots of good lawyers)

And even the bill supporters agree with me

From the ariticle

" AP adds: "Bennett acknowledged it may be questionable whether a state can dictate pricing rules to an airline, but asked the committee to send a message to the airlines by approving the bill anyway.""

So all this really does is get publicity for the politican.....(Florida tax dollars at work LOL!)

Yes, they do.....

And you're right... states cannot regulate the fare structure of an airline. Airlines operate under the US Department of Transportation and the FAA. Domestic fare regulation was abolished in 1983 as part of the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978.

It's nice to see our tax dollars spent in Florida are used to fund such progressive endeavors...

I agree with both of you! I suspect the courts would throw this out at the first challenge! This is not a power alloted to the states!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Agree......law would interfere with interstate commerce; States have no such jurisdiction.

PIXIE.....I LOVE THAT HAIR!!!

BobK/Orlando

 

[pixie dust 112]

Agree......law would interfere with interstate commerce; States have no such jurisdiction.

PIXIE.....I LOVE THAT HAIR!!!

BobK/Orlando

Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

Despite the national debate raging about whether airline passengers should be protected by a federal "passengers' bill of rights," Florida is considering its own measure. A bill has been introduced in that state's legislature that would require airlines to compensate passengers when their flights are canceled or delayed by more than an hour, reports FLORIDA TODAY/AP.

I took this to read if the flights were canceled the day of the flight or delayed, not an advance change in schedule. My question is when would they have to pay? In the Jet Blue debacle, it was initially due to weather. The snow is coming down, runways are shutdown, they are going to force the airlines to compensate passengers for this delay? Air Traffic controllers issue a slowdown in traffic due to weather, will they have to compensate for that? Do you want them to rush a maintenance issue in order to get the plane off in time? You already have airlines in bankruptcy, this would throw them over the edge.

 

[CarolA]

This is politicans blowing hot air... (an undocumented cause of global warning).

 

[seashoreCM]

(Not what the bill proposes)
I would say that it is fair enough that if the airline changes your flight schedule significantly it should unquestionably let you reselect other flights of theirs and of your choice at no added cost (or get a refund) on the spot, and also grant you one free change fee waiver for a future itinerary which among other things can be used to take advantage of a lower fare offered for an itinerary.

(Global warming)
Oh please, Florida legislators, blow some more hot air. It's been so cold this past month here in New Hampshire.

I think that the normal temperature of Earth is somewhat higher than it is now. Over the millenia the temperature normally rises very gradually except every once in awhile (Phoom!) an asteroid hits and nuclear winter sets in. Then over the next many millenia the eency weency spider climbs up the spout again.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm