The Department of Transportation has launched a probe into airline delays that may result in fines for as many as eight carriers suspected of failing to adequately disclose their scheduling shortcomings. Andrew Steinberg, DOT assistant secretary for aviation and internal affairs, on April 20 told the House aviation subcommittee that some airlines fail to properly disclose to consumers that some flights are late as much as 80 percent of the time. "We have regulations that prohibit unrealistic scheduling as a deceptive practice," Steinberg said at the hearing. He didn't identify the airlines, but said a letter of inquiry was sent to each. The deceptive-scheduling allegations are among a bevy of consumer complaints fielded by lawmakers in recent months following the stranding of passengers on tarmacs for as long as 10 hours during a Valentine's Day storm
(BTN, March 5). Lawmakers acknowledged the pressure to monitor airlines. "Unless the industry addresses this and addresses it now, there is going to be congressional action," said Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), chairman of the House aviation subcommittee. The Air Transport Association, which represents commercial carriers, is fighting such regulation. "No passenger likes a delayed flight, but what they like even less is not being able to get to their destinations at all," said ATA president and CEO James May. "The proposed hard limit on ground delays will force airlines to inconvenience planeloads of people to satisfy the demand of just one passenger to deplane. We do not think this is good customer service."
TSA To Boost Airport Worker Screening The Transportation Security Administration said it will step up airport security, including scrutiny of airport workers, after an Orlando International Airport worker in March boarded a plane with a bag full of guns, but a key member of Congress said the plan falls short. TSA on April 18 unveiled a six-point plan, in cooperation with three aviation industry associations, to be phased in over 90 days, that includes subjecting airport workers to random screening, increasing the use of biometric measures and making more use of imaging technology. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) has introduced legislation to force 100 percent screening of airport workers, calling the lax scrutiny a loophole that invites terrorism. "Meticulously screening passengers while inconsistently screening workers is like installing an expensive home security system but leaving your back door wide open," she said. TSA administrator Kip Hawley disagreed, saying, "We achieve a better overall security result by using our resources flexibly, not tied down at checkpoints checking and rechecking people that work at the airport every day."
Mica: A380 May Disrupt AirportsA new Government Accountability Office report warned that the new Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, might cause delays at 18 major U.S. airports, including New York's John F. Kennedy International. GAO warned in a study prepared at the request of former House aviation subcommittee chair Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) that other traffic on the ground will be disrupted to ensure safety when the A380 takes off or lands. The plane also would be limited to certain runways, taxiways and gates, GAO said. Airbus maintains that its new plane, with seating for as many as 853 people, will help solve capacity problems. Mica unsuccessfully has tried to block government payments for airport upgrades to accommodate the A380 and has complained about European subsidies for Airbus.