Editorial: Airline deregulation prompts new worries

Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999 | 11:27 a.m.

Airline deregulation has been a mixed bag for passengers. On one hand, deregulation has resulted in lower fares for many Americans. But on the other hand, it also has meant in some instances a lowering in the quality of service passengers receive.

Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., plan to introduce bipartisan legislation that would give passengers more rights than they currently have, according to a story in Wednesday's New York Times. Under their proposal, passengers would have to be told why a plane was late, how many seats are available on a flight if a passenger wants to use frequent-flier miles, and when a flight has been oversold. Another sore point with many fliers is not being told why a plane didn't take off on time. Under this bill, airlines would have to tell passengers why the flight was delayed or canceled.

Passengers today too often feel that they're just cattle, being herded along by the airlines. Most of the proposals by McCain and Wyden make so much sense it is surprising that companies don't already use them. While it is understandable that airlines need to maximize their profits in an increasingly competitive market, it doesn't mean that they shouldn't be upfront with the customers who keep them in business.