A bit of hyperbole in the headline, but without food, water, electricity and working restrooms for 12 hours, I think at least a few people will be dead from the fat guy in the middle seat next to the screaming kid going bonkers. On the other hand, what makes prisoners think they’re entitled to luxuries like this?
Federal court throws out N.Y.’s Passenger Bill of Rights
New York’s Passenger Bill of Rights, which would apply to runway delays of more than three hours, conflicts with a 1978 federal law that prohibits states from regulating airline prices, routes or services, the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in a 3-0 ruling.
“We have little difficulty concluding that requiring airlines to provide food, water, electricity and restrooms to passengers during lengthy ground delays relates to the services of an air carrier,” the court said. “Only the federal government has the authority to enact such a law.”
The reason why they struck down the law is obvious:
If New York could require airlines to provide food and water, the court said, other states might ban soda or require allergen-free food options on flights leaving from their airports, “unraveling the centralized federal framework for air travel.”
Can’t have that, now can we.
“New York’s Passenger Bill of Rights …. conflicts with a 1978 federal law that prohibits states from regulating airline prices, routes or services…”
This is just a fine example of how said court system was more interested in finding a loophole, to let the industry off the hook. Human basic rights shouldn’t be confused as merely a “service”, provided at the discretion of the airlines. Political prisoners at the Gitmo facility receive better treatment.
The comment in the title is absurd. “Not required to keep you alive.” Completely absurd and utterly Bu!!$hit. ANY corporation that willingly let a person die in their care would be bankrupted by lawyers before breakfast. They’re already required to provide basic needs to people. Electricity is not a basic need, nor is every airliner out there fitted for an electric plug in every seat. Sorry, you may be forced to turn off the crackberry for a couple hours. Wah. The last things I do before I board a flight is go to the bathroom, whether I have to or not. Get a bite to eat, whether I’m hungry or not. And I bring a water on board with me. If the weather is crappy, I bring a snack along as well. Idiot people want sensibility freaking legislated to them.
If I remember correctly, the other provisions of this bill were for free hotels, meals, and tickets if there were any weather delays. Sorry, but I don’t want to pay for those things every time I fly when I’ll probably never receive the benefit. I don’t like to travel over major holidays when all that sort of stuff happens. They’re already going to jack up the ticket price to reflect the high price of fuel. Last thing I want is another excuse to be charged more. Hate to burst your bubble there turbo, but free hotels and whatever else has to get paid for somehow.
More than 3 hours on the tarmac? Isn’t that what the emergency exits over the wings are for? I mean seriously, if I’m on a plane with no ventilation and no restrooms for more than 3 hours… I’m out of there. And there’s not a jury in America that would convict me.
Where’s all the posts? Why the censorship?
#4, MikeN
They must have seen you coming.
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