THREE-HOUR LIMIT ON TARMAC WAITS: A HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUE
Consumer protections requiring a three-hour limit on airline passengers' tarmac waits are currently part of a version of the Federal Aviation Administration Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, which is a bill providing money for airports and airlines across the country. The legislation, which has already been approved by the House of Representatives, will compel airlines to create plans to deplane passengers after three hours. Airlines will also be required to provide basic services to waiting passengers, such as food and water.
One of the groups lobbying in support of the law -- The Business Travel Coalition -- said health and safety issues mandate the three-hour limit. Kate Hanni, founder of flyersrights.org says long waits greatly increase the chances of blood clots and exacerbate other health problems.
The former CEO of American Airlines, Robert Crandall, also supports the bill; but, he argues that immediately instituting a three-hour limit could result in an overflow of flight cancellations. He proposes starting with a four-hour cap that would automatically become three hours after a year. Senate supporters of the three-hour limit have threatened to filibuster any amendment that would strike out the consumer protections from the FAA bill.
According to FlyersRights.org, which has been lobbying for the three-hour limit since 2007, 1,232 flights were confined to the tarmac for over three hours in American airports in 2008.
