Editorial: Congress’ mission is ‘plane’

Friday, July 21, 2000 | 10:54 a.m.

It is easy to sympathize with a traveler who lost luggage at an airport or missed that critical flight because the airline booked 600 passengers for a 300-seat airplane. When it comes to an accommodating industry we can think of dozens that do a better job serving customers than do the airlines.

We are partly to blame. We have a Federal Aviation Administration that often seems far more protective of the industry than of the consumers who pay the freight. That alone should be cause for a massive letter-writing campaign to members of Congress, who oversee that agency.

That is why a bill sponsored by Senate Minority Whip Harry Reid, D-Nev., is a breath of fresh air. His proposed Airline Passenger Fair Treatment Act would put some common sense into airline travel. Reid wants an independent commission to study airline pricing practices, route availability and quality of service. Anyone who could not come up with frustrating anecdotes for such a commission has never flown on an airplane.

The legislation would require airlines to give passengers accurate and immediate reasons for delays, cancellations or diversions. Why this is not already required is beyond reason. Ditto for another provision in the bill that would allow passengers to exit planes parked on the tarmac after one hour.

Congress can do us all a favor by getting the airlines to shape up. They can take that first step by approving Reid's bill. In this era of technological advance there is no excuse for shoddy customer service. The airlines will probably whine that the legislation will require stiffer government regulation. In this case we believe stronger regulation is a good thing. No one deserves to be stuck at an airport without explanation.