- Extensive tarmac delays are prohibited, and the DOT's Three-Hour Tarmac Rule remains in effect.
Let's talk about the Three-Hour Tarmac Rule. Two weekends ago, we mounted a last-ditch campaign to pressure congress to include the rule. As a direct result of our efforts, Sen. Boxer went to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, seeking an amendment to restore the three-hour provision. Unfortunately, that effort was not successful; however, Congress has clearly seen the need for a time limit. The Secretary of Transportation will determine the definition of "excessive delay." The DOT Three-Hour Tarmac Delay Rule remains in effect. The bottom line is that Congress finally heard us. They validated both the need for tarmac delay plans and for time limits on the airlines' ability to imprison us on the ramp.
Another key victory is the requirement for airports to maintain contingency plans in the same manner as the airlines. Many long tarmac strandings occur during extreme weather conditions. FlyersRights has long insisted that those events demonstrate, time and again, the overriding need for comprehensive planning to address massive diversion problems. This key provision will, for the first time, promote the kind of communication, coordination, and cooperation between the many players in our air travel system that provide the only solution to this complex problem.
Several other Bill provisions actually improve on the DOT rules. The DOT rules said that airlines must provide access to food, water, and medical treatment after two hours on the ramp. Congress changed that two-hour restriction to "always." Airlines will finally be forced to schedule realistically, so that the morning and evening rush hours will not lead to continuing delay problems.
Also, DOT will create an Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection, one member from each group listed in the table. Frankly, as the most vocal advocate for airline passenger rights for the last five years, I truly believe that I am the person who should fill the single consumer advocacy position on the committee.
FlyersRights remains committed to airline passenger issues, and will continue to fight for needed passenger protections and for a truly effective, safe, constitutional, and consistently-applied airline security system.