DOT Proposing Increase in Accessibility to Air Passengers with Disabilities

The Department of Transportation may require airlines and travel providers to provide non-discriminatory accessibility to travelers with disabilities. According to the Census Bureau, here are an estimated 50 million American's with a disability (roughly 1 in 6), many of which face significant barriers when navigating air -and other forms of- travel.

According to msnbc.com, the proposed updates to be made include: requiring airports to "adopt an accessibility standard that mirrors the one the Department of Justice put in place for automated teller machines, which must now have Braille instructions and buttons, headphone jacks (for verbal instructions) and plenty of room around the units to allow physical access for people using wheelchairs and other assistive devices."

Msnbc also reports that in addition to airports updating their physical accessibility, "carriers and travel agents would have up to two years from the roll-out of the regulations to update or redesign their websites. While they do that, DOT would keep in place regulations requiring carriers to make any discounted Web-based fares and amenities available — at no extra charge — to travelers with disabilities who cannot use a carrier's inaccessible website."

This is not the first time these types of proposals have been made, and they are typically met with opposition from airlines and the like who are hesitant to spend the money to provide accessible devices and websites. This time around is no different in terms of opposition, but the Department of Transportation estimates that a reduction in the number of assistance calls due to inaccessible websites will result in savings of $11.8 million over 10 years and that $45.9 million would be saved by airlines in labor costs, making arguments citing increased costs difficult to maintain.

Find the original article here: http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/11/8259446-dot-wants-more-accessible-airline-websites-kiosks

ATA is Anti Pilot Fatigue Law (Job Loss) and Airlines are Anti DOT Fare Regulations (Unfair)

Pilot Fatigue Law:

Although there was a lot of controversy over the delay of the pilot fatigue law, one group that is not complaining is the Air Transport Administration. The ATA says that if the Obama administration were to pass the new pilot fatigue regulations it could cost $2 billion a year over time and 27,000 jobs tied to the industry. The thinking is that airlines would be unable to raise fares drastically enough to cover the increased manpower, forcing them to cut capacity and ground crew jobs. These cuts would probably affect small markets and communities most significantly.

From:http://www.smartmeetings.com/magazine/article/headline/pilot-fatigue-laws-could-cost-jobs

For more info see: http://www.airlines.org/pages/home.aspx


DOT Fare Regulation:

Airlines are opposing the U.S Transportation Department’s new passenger bill of rights,and specifically the measure that requires airlines to clearly state all fees and taxes in any fare advertisement. Airlines are equating the reporting requirements to those that are mandatory in government-regulated industries, which they say is unfair because they have been deregulated for more than 30 years. They are also saying that no other consumer industry endures the same scrutiny or mandatory reporting regulations.

From:http://www.smartmeetings.com/magazine/article/headline/airlines-oppose-dot-fare-regulations

For more info see: http://www.dot.gov/

Restraints on airlines’ anarchical behavior

On October 9, 2009 the US Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a guidance letter asking airlines to modify and regulate their policy for reimbursement for lost, damaged and delayed baggage. The objective is to eliminate airlines’ arbitrary limits on reimbursements and basically their attitude to pay “when they feel like it.” The DOT does not give any limits in their notice, they state an airline “shall not limit its liability for provable direct or consequential damages.” In essence, the DOT opinions the airlines should pay for all expenses which are the result of the baggage loss, damage or delay (up to $3,300 per passenger). The airlines have 90 days from the date of the notice to amend their policies.

Source: by eTN staff writer, October 13 (published October 14)