29 Comments
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NubbyShober's avatar

It's pay to play, baby! We got ourselves the best swamp; the biggest and deepest swamp. If consumers want to stop getting shafted by the airlines, then can make an anonymous $40 million purchase of $TRUMP memecoins, like everyone else.

Now that the airlines are profitable again, we badly need EU-style consumer protections. If there's no incentive for these companies to improve service, they will just continue to jerk passengers around; like routinely overbooking flights.

The Trump's, Musk's, and Bessant's of the world could care less about airline passenger rights because they either own private jets, or have friends that do.

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Joseph Mangano's avatar

In case you had any doubts, these airline CEOs do not care about you, the consumer.

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Katie Galvin's avatar

The oligarchs strike again. Everything is going to be more difficult and more expensive for the average US citizen. But our CEOs will be doing great. I just saw that a CEO is so expensive that that is a perfect role to transition to AI. For once I’d be good with AI taking over something

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Mary Greenwald's avatar

43 Democrats CONSENTED to Sean Duffy as Secretary of Transportation. Ossoff and Padilla did not vote. We get what we vote for. Senators knew exactly what Sean Duffy stood for. They still voted AYE. We voted for those Senators. They have not been held accountable! And they ask for our money and our votes to Fight Trump. HA!

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Jim Carmichael's avatar

Another important and staggering story from the prince of investigative journalism.

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Katy Bolger's avatar

Always better when industries regulate themselves, doncha think? Corporations have shown their willingness to treat their clients and customers with such respect and care. Even their statements to the public disparaging former government officials like Biden and Buttegieg vibrate with sincerity and fellowship. I am so happy to hear that, once again, America is bringing up the rear for the common folk and making sure that BIG business gets every single slim dime that is coming to them. No thanks, I'll walk.

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Mary Greenwald's avatar

I do not use any of the airlines now. The lines are long to inspect my shoes, the passengers are packed into tiny seats and even on a sunny day, the flight will take longer than stated and the misery prolonged. Add a dirty plane and lost luggage - too much angst for the money.

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Kyle Holbrook's avatar

Overreach IS the new term for anything that causes business to be responsive to consumers, the environment, or the commons. IMO, the ONLY "overreach" is the Trump administration attempting to take control over industries, demanding bribes from universities, and rigging state elections etc, etc.

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Adam's avatar

"It claims refunds "do not benefit passengers, whose primary objective is to get to their destination, not get refunds.""

But what if I'm stranded for days in an airport because of an airline foulup? Don't I get anything other than raw-dogged? No?

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Joe Rabson's avatar

It’s a true statement that refunds don’t benefit passengers. You have to be able to make your flight to become a passenger.

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Adam's avatar

That isn't the whole statement and you know it. You've truncated it and left out the important part. "primary objective is to get to their destination, not get refunds."

But what if the airline does not provide the paid for sevice and strands you somewhere through no fault of your own? Then your primary objective is likely to change. Think about it.

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Joe Rabson's avatar

Adam, I agree with all of your points. I was being sarcastic about the airlines’ position and that’s why I commented on your post. Sorry if I wasn’t clear.

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Adam's avatar

Damn Joe! I just checked my email and saw your reply. No you weren't clear but it's alright. I get you now and I am so glad I did not reply with scorched earth. Not a good way way to make friends! HaHAHA!

Take it easy Joe and thanks for leting me know.

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Allison's avatar

Always working for the people, that's Trump, who is raking in billions through extortion, grift and whatever other means he can. Thank you Judd and team!

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Pat David's avatar

Love your reporting. Keep it up.

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Bruce Brittain's avatar

The reason you can’t take domestic high-speed rail as an alternative to air travel is largely because of airline money in the coffers of politicians. I don’t want to live in China but their high-speed rail links between major cities is a wonder.

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Sally Stevens's avatar

It is so obvious that "big business/ powerful corps" are running our government. They buy the rules the want by making gigantic contributions to Mr. T's campaign. Interesting how someone who has probably NEVER Flown on "public airlines" in the last 50 years of his life and accepts the gift of a private plane from the Arabs, can keep ordinary civilian travelers from any kind of reasonable protection regarding THEIR travels. Ugh.

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Joe Weicher's avatar

Gee, almost like corporations aren’t looking out for our best interests. Remember, as our esteemed Supreme Court has declared, corporations are people too. And they have feelings!

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mark's avatar

Airlines were deregulated in 1978. Before 1978 airlines were regulated like a utility. For 47 years airlines have struggled to find a profitable business model. The payload of a plane is about equal to the weight of a plane, so an empty plane uses about half the fuel to fly, but it provides no revenue. A full plane provides provides the most revenue. So the airlines have resorted to gimmicks to compete with each other. Frequent flyer miles, Fees, And cheap non refundable tickets were all gimmicks. When the gimmicks did not work they went through bankruptcy and started using a new set of gimmicks. Consumer protection makes it harder for airlines to create gimmicks, because sometime the gimmick is cheat some customers to make money.

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Digna Irizarry Cassens's avatar

During my road warrior days througout the US and Canada, I always made a cancellable car reservation available after arrival. If the connecting flight was delayed or cancelled I had that available immediately and could either drive the distance or to another airport. Once I had to drive from West Virginia to Ohio to get a flight home. It was well worth it to me.

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Susan B's avatar

Another day - another kick in the ass for us - brought to you by the Trump regime. And the Dems are what? Not for the consumer? Oh Pleeeez stop!

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