Passenger Bill of Rights: Band-Aid on a Wound

by Mike Hall, Sep 20, 2007

The nation’s aviation policy is in such serious need of major surgery that congressional approval of the much-talked-about “Passenger Bill of Rights” would be akin to putting a band-aid on a sucking chest wound, says the Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) union.

Yesterday in Washington, D.C., a passenger advocacy group held a rally in favor of a Passenger Bill of Rights, and today the U.S. House is expected to pass a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that contains some passenger protections. But, says AFA-CWA President Patricia Friend:

Our aviation system and policy is broken and a Passenger Bill of Rights will only serve as an empty promise until Congress enacts serious aviation policy reforms. Anyone with first-hand, day-to-day experience in the industry can see the gaping holes in our current structure and the reforms needed to fix them.

Passenger outrage has soared in the past year as planes are packed, delays mount, flights are canceled and planes are kept on the ground for hours at time while passengers are not allowed to disembark and luggage is lost. But Friend say the aviation system’s problems go far deeper than a bill of rights can solve.

We desperately need substantial investments to update and upgrade our air traffic control system; increases in funding for Airport Improvement Projects; a carry-on baggage policy that applies to every airline and every flight; to ensure Essential Air Service to small communities; to improve cabin air quality for crewmembers and passengers; and to provide a safe working environment on board aircraft.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) long has warned about the deterioration of the nation’s air traffic control system, both in personnel and equipment.

The FAA’s 2006 unilateral imposition of new work rules and pay cuts for new hires is driving both senior and new employees out of the towers, says NATCA. There are some 1,100 fewer controllers than three years ago and the exodus is continuing.

The FAA bill the House votes on today includes a provision that would send NATCA and the FAA back to the bargaining table. Says NATCA President Pat Forrey:

This bill is an important step toward putting fairness back into the collective bargaining process. The FAA unilaterally imposed work and pay rules on controllers last Labor Day weekend, exacerbating a critical staffing shortage that even the Department of Transportation Inspector General validated in a recent report. Morale has suffered, and the mass exodus has left controllers working for longer periods of time, causing fatigue and loss of focus, which the National Transportation Safety Board has said is a major safety concern.

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