=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/c/a/2007/08/02/DDLARAVTS2= .DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, August 2, 2007 (SF Chronicle) Tell the government how you feel about new airline 'bumping' rules Ed Perkins The federal Department of Transportation is considering an increase in t= he mandatory compensation requirement for overbooked air travelers, and you're invited to comment. This is a rare chance to weigh in on an important matter - don't waste it. Currently, when an airline bumps you because of overbooking, it first as= ks for volunteers to relinquish their seats in exchange for vouchers for future travel or other incentives. But when not enough travelers take the bait and the airline has to refuse to let some travelers on the flight - or kick someone off who already has a seat - the DOT rule kicks in to cover the resulting "involuntary" bumping. The current DOT rule lets the airline off the hook for any compensation = if it can get you on an alternative flight scheduled to arrive at your final destination (including subsequent connections) within an hour of your originally scheduled time. If not, it owes you a seat on the next available flight, plus cash compensation: the one-way fare to your destination to a maximum of $200 if it schedules you to your destination within two hours on a domestic trip or four hours on an international trip; if you arrive later than that, the compensation doubles. In any case, you get to keep your original ticket. The current rule applies to domestic flights and international flights leaving from the United States. It covers bumping due only to overbooking; no other reasons are included. And it is limited to scheduled flights in planes holding 61 or more travelers. Over the years, voluntary bumping has solved most of the overbooking problems. Through 2006, the number of involuntary bumpings remained close to 1 per 10,000 passengers. That number increased to 1.45 in the first quarter of 2007, however, and further increases are expected. That's one reason why DOT is considering new rules. Specifically, DOT is evaluating several higher maximum levels of compensation: $290/$580, $400/$800 and $624/$1,248. It is also asking for feedback on other questions related to bumping. But increased maximum compensation, although a good idea, does not adequately deal with all the issues bumped travelers face. The worst problem, which the DOT proposals do not address, is that airlines are finding it increasingly difficult to find alternative flights for bumped travelers. "A seat on the next flight" worked fine when planes flew with more empty seats, but now that "next available" seat could be a long time coming. Given the realities, here are my recommendations: -- For two-hour domestic or four-hour international delays, increase the dollar compensation to ticket value up to $300. -- For longer delays, increase the compensation to a flat $600, regardle= ss of ticket value. -- For delays longer than 24 hours, reassess the $600 compensation each day. -- Extend the rules to cover any plane operated by or for a large airlin= e, regardless of the number of passengers it holds. -- Extend the rules to cover bumping due to substitution of a smaller airplane. -- Require that an involuntarily bumped traveler have the options of either an immediate refund of the full remaining ticket value or the ability to cancel all or part of the subsequent ticketed flights and rebook them on future dates, with no penalties or restrictions, regardless of fare changes or fare-based seat limits. DOT will accept comments to its "Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" through Sept. 10. Whether you agree with all (or even any) of my suggestions, or have your ideas, it's vital that you make your opinions known. We ordinary consumers seldom get the chance to influence government policy, so let's take advantage of this one. For particulars, log onto the DOT docket Web site at dms.dot.gov/reports/fr.htm, scroll down to the "OST" entries, and load Docket OST-2001-9325. You can submit your comments online through that site or by mail to Docket Management System, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave SE, Room W12-140, Washington, D.C., 20590. In 96 Hours: Under Covers reviews the Kit Carson Lodge in Amador County. 33 E-mail syndicated columnist Ed Perkins at eperkins@xxxxxxxx . ----------= ------------------------------------------------------------ Copyright 2007 SF Chronicle <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the AIRLINE List, please send an E-mail to: "listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF AIRLINE".