OP-ED: Air Legislation, Not Reregulation
<B> OP-ED: Air Legislation, Not Reregulation</B>
By Joe Galloway
<hr><i>Joe Galloway is president and CEO of The American Society of Travel Agents, Alexandria, Va.</i><hr>
Over the past several weeks, there has been an extraordinary flurry of legislation introduced on Capitol Hill relating to the airlines' treatment of the traveling public. This wave of legislation has come as a direct result of the rising tide of passenger discontent with the quality of air service. ASTA, acting as the consumer advocate, introduced its Air Traveler's Bill of Rights in June of last year. Since then, ASTA has worked to increase lawmaker's awareness to the extent of consumer dissatisfaction, the airlines' unrepentant arrogance and the need for a legislative remedy. In light of the groundswell of support from prominent lawmakers in both Houses, it appears that time has come.
As a corporate travel buyer, you know the importance of minimizing travel costs. By working through corporate travel agencies, you recognize the key ingredient to finding the lowest price is the ability to access comparative, unbiased information. If the airlines are bent on systematically trying to circumvent the agency distribution system, and dictate to travelers how they want them to go about booking tickets, how can you continue to effectively do your job? The carriers have no interest in finding consumers the lowest price. Their anticompetitive intentions are most evident in their efforts to limit the traveling public's access to comparative information and its ability to purchase travel through preferred channels.
As of this writing, eight pro-consumer, airline-related bills have been introduced in Congress. Backing the traveling public's interests are such high-profile congressional leaders as Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sen. Richard Bryan (D-NV), Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Rep. Bud Shuster (R-PA), Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI). Legislators are responding to an angry constituency that is fed up with the airlines' practices, and depending upon their representatives to take action.
Do not be confused--ASTA is by no means calling for a return to the days of regulation. None of the measures that ASTA supports address pricing or schedule issues. ASTA's main concern has been, and will remain, increasing competition in the airline industry and fair treatment of consumers.
It is important to remember that the traveling public owns the public air space that the airlines freely use. Air travel has become a necessity for the majority of Americans, and just as the corporations you work for rely on you to provide service that is professional and truthful, the airlines must be held to that same standard. But our voice is not enough. We need to continue to build public support in order to offset the powerful airline lobby.
ASTA is continuing to drive home its pro-consumer message, but the battle is just beginning. Now is the time to make contact with your representatives in the House and Senate, and tell them that you support air travelers' rights legislation. Conditions are as favorable as they have ever been for a major legislative victory on these issues. We cannot afford to squander this opportunity.