Flying is all about the destination, in part because the actual flight part of the process can be miserable. And it starts when you book your ticket, get to the end, and discover just how many fees are bolted onto flying. The Obama administration was hoping to change that, but Trump has, for some reason, pulled the plug.
The proposed rules, according to the Hill, were simple: Airlines would have to disclose baggage fees at the start of the ticket buying process, and also airlines would have to publicly disclose how much they were making on these baggage fees and other costs that are part of flying. Why? Because, claims the Department of Transportation, these rules would be of “limited public benefit” and the airlines would be burdened financially by disclosing this information. This went over about as well as you might expect, especially from Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who’s been pushing hard for a Passenger Bill of Rights on airlines for a while.
Unbelievable. Pulling the plug on rules that would ensure airlines are open and honest about bag fees and other charges is about as anti-consumer as it gets. https://t.co/EXa4yhONQS
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) December 8, 2017
The Trump Admin’s reckless reversal is a gift for the airlines’ bottom line – and a slap in the face for travelers who deserve clarity when buying a ticket.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) December 8, 2017
I’ll continue pressing for my Passenger Bill of Rights, which would require transparency in airline pricing. This Administration may not think consumers deserve fair treatment from airlines, but I do.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) December 8, 2017
And if that weren’t enough, it came out today that Delta is about to charge international passengers in Basic Economy a $60 baggage fee.
We can’t find any explanation of why knowing up front just how much you’re going to pay for a flight is of “limited public benefit.” In fact, the Department of Transportation seems to be hoping nobody will notice what they did, burying this news in their briefing room. It’s a shame that they didn’t post this on their Twitter feed for public discussion, or perhaps the Twitter feed of Secretary Elaine Chao, for a free and open debate with the American people. But, fortunately, it’s a government organization, and should you gently and politely want to inform them that perhaps the public benefit of these rules is broader than they thought, it’s easy to let them know.
In short: This is bad for you, it obscures info; be pissed, make a call.
(via The Hill)
