FAA Fines AA

From: Huliq:
"FAA fines American Eagle airline $900,000"

The Federal Aviation Administration has decided to fine the regional airline, American Eagle, a company affiliated with American Airlines, $900,000 for keeping planes on the tarmac last May. The incident caused hundreds of passengers to remain on the planes during a storm. At that time thunderstorms were rolling through the Chicago area. The passengers were kept on the planes for hours while the storms rolled through. According to a story in the Chicago Sun-Times, the FAA appears to be trying to send a warning to other airlines just before the holiday travel season and the winter months come that traditionally have brought about more flight delays. The FAA stated that they have decided to fine American Eagle $900,000 for the incident in May. During the time that the storms were rolling through, the airline stranded about 15 flights. The planes were stranded for over three hours on May 29. On those planes were over 600 passengers. The FAA stated that the airline had to pay $650,000 within 30 days. Of that, as much as $250,000 can be credited on refunds and other compensation already given out to passengers on the flights.

^ This is a good step in the right direction for the FAA. It shows that the 3 hour tarmac waiting rule (4 hours for international flights)is more than just on a piece of paper. A law is only good if it is enforced and it seems the FAA is trying to do that. Whether they are also trying to send a message to the airlines over the holiday season is besides the point. I think the new laws need to also extend to the airports. If an airline is trying desperately (which I doubt many would) to get the passengers off the plane within the 3 or 4 hour time limits and the airport doesn't allow them then the airport should also be fined. There is nothing worse that people stuck on a plane with no food, water or running toilets and there is no excuse for that to happen if the plane is on the ground. The FAA is starting to show the airlines that they can't keep treating us passengers like cattle (like they have been doing for years.) Hopefully other airlines will see this fine and think twice about keeping passengers on the tarmac for longer than 3 or 4 hours. ^

http://www.huliq.com/10304/faa-fines-american-eagle-airline-900000