INFORMEDdebate
YES
from members:
Should government
regulate consumer
Christopher Rowe Salazar
Hyattsville, MD
The public needs a
clear bill of rights
so that needs and
expectations aren’t
thrown to the skies
in the name of corporate greed.
protection for
air travel?
Bette Tubbs
St. Paul, MN
Someone other than
the airlines needs to
make or help push
these decisions in
the consumers’
best interest.
For several years, consumer
rights advocates have unsuccessfully
lobbied for legislation that would
give passengers more legal rights
during extended flight delays.
In January of this year, such
legislation, dubbed the airline
Passengers’ Bill of rights, was
reintroduced in the senate.
supporters point to similar
legislation passed in Canada and
in europe, adding that given the
litany of fees and surcharges being
tacked on to the price of a ticket,
MEDIA BAKERY/RF
government has an obligation to
step in and set a standard for airline
consumer protection.
opponents point to improvements in airline service and to voluntary
passenger protection rules proposed by the Department of Transportation.
They warn that if government steps in to regulate passenger service, it could
result in higher travel costs and raise safety issues. What do you think?
Donald Workman
Kalaheo, HI
I hate to see our government get involved;
however, maybe this
is what it will take to
shape up our airlines.
NO
from members:
Diana Contorno
Hoover, AL
Self-regulation and
industry watchdog
groups are the most
potentially successful way to protect
travelers.
Carlos Figueroa
Norwalk, CA
I believe in
reducing the role
of government.
Find out more about this topic on the Web:
• http://airconsumer.dot.gov/publications/flyrights.htm
• www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29305049/from/ET/print/1/displaymode/1098/
• http://boxer.senate.gov/news/releases/record.cfm?id=306583
• http://thomas.loc.gov/ [Search “passenger bill of rights”]
Janet Greenberg
McMurray, PA
Government should
stay out of setting
standards. It usually ends up raising
prices.
