The Department of Transportation (DOT) has been talking a lot about consumer rights lately. But is it doing anything?
Let's take a look at the department's aviation protection orders — the fines against airlines for violating department regulations or engaging in unfair and deceptive practices.
So far this year, DOT has issued just four consent orders. Actually, make that three. One of them was against an online travel agency, so that doesn't really count.
The department has assessed only $325,000 in penalties or about $81,250 per consent order. That's the lowest number since 2000.
Today’s Friday Forum is free!
We're dropping the paywall during our Elliott Confidential fall subscription drive. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Your support means the world to me. If not, I hope you’ll consider signing up today. I'm giving away scrubs to some lucky new subscribers.
Your subscription will help support the quality journalism in Elliott Confidential. It’s just $6.67 per month based on an annual subscription.
The enforcement problem extends to other companies in the travel industry, as I'll explain in this weekend's newsletter. But it's especially pronounced with airlines.
So here's this week's question: Do you believe the government when it says it is going to protect the rights of travelers? It has basically stopped writing tickets for airlines, which is why I ask.
And a follow-up question: If the answer is "yes," I'd love to know why you think so. And if it's "no," I'd like to know what it would take to turn it into a "yes." More enforcement actions? Better rules? A better DOT?
The comments are open.
I would like to see the equivalent of the EU 261 protection law in the USA. I have used it several times and while the first time i needed to file the claim through an online legal company to force BA to pay since then things have changed. I just completed one with Air France after a mechanical delay in Paris made me 8 hours late! Most European airlines now have a section in their site to file these claims.
My family has taken trips all over the world and travelled extensively to see almost all the National Parks in the USA. It used to be fun. No more. Travelling by air is a joke; having to arrive two hours early makes no sense. The hotel industry is on its way to reaching the levels of the airlines with its lack of service and price gouging. We have stayed in all kinds of hotels while traveling and all of them are trying to squeeze everything they can from the consumer. The resort fees, add ons for wifi, newspaper (if desired), use of hotel facilities, etc. are all "extras". We recently stayed in Denver and were totally ripped off for the fees added on and even worse, at a small town like Grand Junction, the posted room rate for a Best Western was $98. When all was added in, it came to $168!!!! I guess my issue with airlines and hotels will boil down to not caring to travel which will hurt the industries even more since people like us can afford to and did spend tons of money on travel. Bye bye Hilton, etc. and hello home.