Fetterman calls for Biden administration to fine airlines amid cancellations

[AZProgressive]

Pennsylvania Senate nominee John Fetterman (D) called on the Biden administration to fine airlines for flights they cancel, amid thousands of flight cancellations already this week as Americans head into the Fourth of July travel weekend.

“The Department of Transportation needs to take action. They should start fining airlines up to $27,500 per passenger for every flight they cancel that they knew they didn’t have the staff to fly — just as the Obama administration did in 2009 whenever airlines left a plane on the tarmac for over 3 hours,” Fetterman said in a statement on Wednesday.

(Snip)

The influx of cancellations have been attributed to pilot and staffing shortages as airlines and airlines have tried to accuse the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of not having adequate staffing. Fetterman, who is running for Senate in Pennsylvania, referenced former President Obama fining airlines after imposing rules that limit how long a place can sit on the tarmac.

“DOT must also look into ways to ensure that airlines are compensating consumers for sunk costs. It’s the very least they can do for violating the trust of their customers,” Fetterman said. “Government has a responsibility to hold these airlines accountable. Tax payers saved them, and now it’s their turn to hold up their end of the deal.”

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/3541304-fetterman-calls-for-biden-administration-to-fine-airlines-amid-cancellations/

[MyOwnPeace]

1. DAYUM - this guy is good!

Even showing how PRESIDENT OBAMA acted on behalf of thousands of Americans who suffered from poor planning/procedures on the part of the airlines.
He DOES speak up for the 'every man' - and his campaign works on that!

[Demsrule86]

2. I spent two days in a hotel and 24 hours at the airport..because my flights were cancelled last

August...Delta did nothing.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

3. Obama's threatened fines against the airlines were for situations that were

easily remedied. Like letting people off planes or making sure they had food an water while waiting on a tarmac.

[MichMan]

4. If pilots have retired and there aren't enough new ones, the only solution is to cut routes

Passengers may find that flights are no longer available any longer unless for the most popular destinations.

You can't just hire people off the streets and train them. The alternative may be paying the newly retired $100k per flight minimum to get them back and then raising ticket prices substantially.

[jimfields33]

6. I think rehiring some that were let go during covid for not having shots

Give them a chance to get the shots and rehire. I believe at least seeing if some changed their minds would benefit.

[Joinfortmill]

5. High speed rail

[jimfields33]

7. Good idea. We just had a huge crash this week killing a bunch of travelers.

Not sure that is a good option. Need to at least ensure safety.

[MichMan]

8. How long would that take?

Hasn't California been building one for the last 10 years or so and it still isn't done?

[Maraya1969]

9. That just happened to me less than a month ago. It is really awful to be stuck in an airport

after you've been travelling for hours and hours and hear it will be a few more hours because the flight is cancelled.

I usually like to travel but now it is just exhausting.