Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
US Airways fined $140,000 for unfairly bumping passengers
The US Dept. of Transportation has fined US Airways $140,000 for violating a number of regulations in the way they handle bumping passengers from overbooked flights.The fine came last month. In agreeing to the penalty, US Airways avoids further litigation for the violations, the DOT says.
What did the airline do wrong, exactly? Violated the department's over-sales rule, 14 CFR Part 250, from July 2007 to July 2008.
Huh?
Basically, the DOT nailed the airline for:
- Failing to solicit volunteers before bumping passengers
- Failing to give said bumped passengers written notice
- Failing to give bumped passengers timely redress, i.e. monetary compensation and/or another flight
In paying the fine, US Airways is not admitting to or denying any mistakes, the DOT says.
Here's part of the DOT's finding.
Thanks to Moody75.
These women weren't unfairly bumping passengers ... but they should still be fined!
Filed under: Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 4)
Nancy Jan 9th 2009 11:02AM
I flew 25 times in 2008, and the only problems I encountered were with US Air employees. Even on flights that were not overbooked, they treated the passengers with indifference, as though we were cargo and not human beings. I had no choice in airlines for my work-related trips, often on US Air, and I will never willingly choose them. Living in northern NJ, outside NYC, thankfully gives me 3 options for airports with multiple airlines, which helps.
In defense of airline employees everywhere, in all my life I have never seen so many arrogant, rude, and unprepared passengers. Do you REALLY not know about 3-1-1? Did you REALLY leave the house or hotel this morning and forget to leave your 6" hunting knife behind? Do you REALLY think you won't have to wait at some point in the airport, and get here only 30 minutes before your flight? Must you bring 4 suitcases for 4 days? We don't need security screening as much as we need stupidity screening. If we could send these travelers back home until they learn how to do it correctly, maybe ALL airline employees would have better days, and wouldn't that be great :-)
What about bringing a smile instead? That's always worked for me. With the exception of most US Airways personnel, everyone I have interacted with in the last year in airports all over the world, has been helpful, kind, and patient.
Jo Jan 10th 2009 9:19PM
I have been a customer of Hughes Air West, America West and now USAirways. I went thru bankruptcy with America West and stayed a loyal customer. December of this year, I flew to St. Louis from Az, to attend a 75th Birthday party for my brother in Chicago (we drove from St. Louis to Chicago), the flight into St. Louis was fine, but when I called to cancel schedule fight back to AZ and reschedule my flight (due to the Ice and Snow in St. Louis) I was told that it would cost $150.00 for the change, (I was willing to pay), but to book ticket the cost was to be $500.00 for a one way ticket, plus $15.00 baggage check, plus the taxes, landing fees, use of air fees, seat fee, isle fee, etc. you name it, and I would have to use the unused ticket in a year from St. Louis. I thank USAirways and called Southwest Air and bought a one way ticket for $200.00, so my round trip cost me $600.00 instead of $1,065.00 plus with USAirway. I am an old woman on SS.
ROSITA MARTINEZ Sep 2nd 2009 12:49AM
THE INTERNET HAF PROBLEMS DIDNT GOT COMFIRMATION NUMBER FOR MY FLIGHT