Passengers' Bill of Rights on Its Way?

(CBS)  Any airline passenger knows that being stuck in a plane on the tarmac for hours is no way to travel. Now, after a number of high profile incidents, Congress could be ready to step in and give travelers a little help.

CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg explained what legislation may be on the way, and what travelers can do now on "The Early Show."

Greenberg said traditionally airlines have resisted regulations from the government concerning their businesses, and many still do today. However, some airline officials, such as Robert L. Crandall, former chairman of American Airlines, is now in favor of the changes.

However, some airlines, Greenberg said, are making changes on their own, such as Southwest Airlines and Jet Blue. Greenberg said Jet Blue is making an effort to make a decision about letting passengers off a plane, particularly after the February 2007 debacle that stranded numerous passengers on the tarmac.

"They're really trying hard to pull the plug on these flights and say 'We're not going, let's get them off,'" Greenberg said.

Greenberg's updates on push for passenger rights

Airlines, Greenberg said, may face regulation with the Boxer-Snowe Amendment that may be voted upon soon in Congress. The amendment, he said, provides food, potable water, cabin temperature and adequate restrooms, for passengers. Also, after three hours on the tarmac, the airline must offer passengers the option to get off the plane.

However, does the amendment have what it takes to protect passengers?

Greenberg said the amendment doesn't carry much weight.

"After three hours, passengers can deplane the plane if the pilot reasonably believes that they are not going to be able to take off within 30 minutes," Greenberg said. "You and I both know that every delay is a creeping delay. Nobody ever says the plane will be delayed hours. It's always 30 minutes."

For more with Greenberg and passenger rights, click on the video below.


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[javanut4673]

I would like to know who in Congress is fighting this PBR (Passenger Bill of Rights). While I have not suffered the obscene delays that others have, my frustration with all american based air carriers is there. I recently suffered damage to my luggage (second time) last month. I went to United SFO to file a claim and the supervisor asked me why I even bothered. The "we are not responsible for anything" clause needs to be addressed. 1) We are now PAYING to have them take our luggage; 2)We are not in control of who they hire, train or not train; 3) Based upon the policy of air carriers today, they have no need to improve or hold themselves or anyone else accountable because they limit their liability by simply stating it in a clause. So time and again, passengers/victims are made to eat it continually while people like the United supervisor states "claim denied" - "we are only responsible for the contents". A "watered down" version of a PBR is going to be completely useless and possible more frustrating by having something so potentially ineffective in place.

All american based air carriers need to go bankrupt, we need to throw out the garbage and make them earn their way back. And not before a truly EFFECTIVE / substantial PBR is put into place before they return. And maybe some of them won't.

You have to ask yourself why people are choosing not to fly inspite of there ridiculously low rates while others flourish like VIRGIN. What the american based carriers have failed to grasp after all these years is their lack of SERVICE. Plain and simple.

I personally can't wait to see how far these airline struggle as they scratch their heads wondering why cheap prices won't cut it anymore.
And they continue to nickel and dime their way to failure.