Airline Passengers Deserve Protection, Respect

Anyone who travelled by plane during the holiday season knows there is certainly room for improvement when it comes to airline regulations regarding passengers’ rights. Virtually everyone has a horror story involving either lost luggage, repeatedly delayed or cancelled flights, or sitting in a cramped plane for hours without moving an inch. Transport Canada’s Code of Conduct currently states that passengers have the right to leave a plane that has been sitting on the tarmac for more than 90 minutes. However, since there is no penalty if an airline doesn’t comply with these rules, flight attendants could literally shield the exits with their bodies to prevent passengers from leaving without fear of punishment. Bill C-130, a private member’s bill introduced by NDP MP Jim Maloway, would change that. The bill, based on European regulations, would protect passengers’ rights after a one-hour delay on the tarmac, among other things. Initially, the bill stated airlines would have to pay 500 dollars an hour to each passenger stranded on the tarmac for more than one hour. NDPs, Bloc Quebecois’ and Liberals supported the bill through the first and second reading, with the Conservative party opposed to the bill. However, after second reading passed, the Bloc Quebecois also opposed the bill. The Bloc Quebecois’ move to side with the Conservatives won’t win them any points with voters. MPs should remember the only thing more annoying than arriving at an airport only to discover that your luggage has not is never leaving the airport at all.

The bill was due to come back to the House of Commons in February; however, parliament has been prorogued until March 3, 2010. While proroguing parliament kills pending legislation, private member’s bills are exempt, meaning Bill C-130 won’t need to be re-introduced when the new session of parliament begins. Unfortunately, if Bloc members decide to vote with the Conservatives, the bill won’t receive enough votes to pass third reading. Of course, Bloc MPs may be swayed by the small tweaks that Bill C-130 will undergo for third reading, such as reducing the fine to 100 dollars per hour, per passenger.

The bill, while unrealistic in some areas, has the right idea overall. Bill C-130 ensures that airlines that screw over passengers by over-booking planes would face pecuniary punishment. Airlines wouldn’t be allowed to leave passengers sitting on planes on the tarmac for hours at a time without being fined. Passengers who lost luggage would be receive compensation instead of excuses and shrugged shoulders. Airlines would have to actually treat their passengers with respect and consideration or pay up. The Canadian Airports Council (CAC), which represents “Canada’s Airports,” according to their website, is protesting the bill, obviously. Instead of looking at the bill for what it is- a way of enticing airlines to enhance their level of customer service and efficiency- the CAC sees Bill C-130 as what it should not but probably will be- something that will increase already grossly inflated airfares. Some airlines, such as Air Canada, already comply with similar rules for their European flights, so why can’t Air Canada apply those rules to their Canadian flights? Airlines in the U.S. will soon be faced with the task of improving service or paying heavy fines. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently announced that beginning in April, airlines must provide food and water to passengers stuck on the tarmac for two hours or more. Passengers who have been sitting on a plane for three hours will have the option of leaving the plane. Airlines that do not take off or allow travellers to disembark after three hours on the tarmac will face fines of 27,000 dollars per passenger. The fines may sound harsh but considering that the U.S. department of Transportation recorded over 600 tarmac delays that lasted more than three hours in the first half of 2009 alone, it’s time to encourage airlines to keep to a schedule. Transport Canada doesn’t keep track of tarmac delays so there is no way to know how many Canadian airlines had planes sitting on the tarmac for three-plus hours last year.

If airlines are complaining about what Bill C-130 will potentially cost them, it means they have already resigned themselves to not offering an improved level of service. Instead, airlines should be searching for new ways to implement procedures that will ensure they can stay within the proposed guidelines and avoid fines. Bill C-130 will ensure airlines will become more efficient and passengers will be treated with respect.