New bill would let DOT set standards

If at first you don’t succeed … Efforts by passenger rights advocates to secure federal legislation regulating long ground delays is getting another chance. An earlier bill got folded into a larger piece of legislation covering FAA reauthorization and funding, which was passed by the House but got bogged down in the Senate. Now, two House members – Reps. James Oberstar and Jerry Costello, who both head committees covering aviation issues – have introduced a new bill called the Air Service Improvement Act of 2008. It would require airlines and airports to submit contingency plans to the Transportation Department outlining the procedures they will follow to make sure customers stuck on aircraft on the ground for long periods will have water, food, working restrooms and medical treatment. The bill would give DOT the right to set minimum standards, and to order changes in the plans submitted by airlines. Airlines that don’t comply would be faced with potential fines of $25,000 a day.