.Tarmac Delays Exceeding 3 Hours Decline After Threat of Fines

[SpartanDem]

Source: Bloomberg

AMR Corp.’s Eagle unit was the only U.S. carrier to report tarmac delays exceeding federal limits in July, with three flights, Transportation Department data showed.

The number is down from 161 flights delayed more than three hours in July 2009, according to a statement today. Such delays have fallen 98 percent in the three months since a rule took effect imposing fines on carriers that exceed the target.

“This rulemaking seems to point to a significant drop in long tarmac delays,” Shane Downey, director of public policy for the National Business Travel Association, said in an interview. “It’s very good for the business traveler.”

U.S. airlines must offer passengers a chance to get off stuck planes or face fines as high as $27,500 per customer, under a rule by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that went into effect on April 29. Three-hour-plus delays have fallen to a total of seven for May, June and July from 463 in the same months a year ago, data shows.


Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-13/tarmac-delays-exceeding-three-hours-in-u-s-decline-after-threat-of-fines.html

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Wow down 98%

[activa8tr]

1. Surprised? Not me. But will our flights be as safe? n/t

[crim son]

3. This is a massive drop in delays.

Has there been a similarly massive increase in accidents and other dangerous events? Or if not a massive increase, what increase, exactly? You have me wondering.

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. I was thinking the same thing

What corners are being cut at crunch time to get these planes in the air?

[Igel]

6. Who says they're getting in the air?

They're not on the tarmac pushed away from the jetway but they might be staying at the jetway.

The places to look for consequences are those that would be affected by a shortage of berths for incoming flights: Planes stuck out on the tarmac after landing, flights delayed at their origins, flights left circling in the air waiting for a berth. You'll also find that this "back up" is unlikely to occur if there's excess capacity, say, during times when people aren't flying such as during recessions.

[Ruby the Liberal]

7. The rule doesn't include 'at the gate'?

I thought the clock started when the door shut. Can you clarify for me? I'm not in the industry and don't know the nuances of the regulations.

[MidwestTransplant]

2. Damn regulations. They never work.

[awoke_in_2003]

5. +1000. nt

[Brickbat]

8. But but but! BUT! I thought businesses regulate themselves and if they suck people will go

elsewhere! I don't believe it at all! Amazing!