Airlines data irk delegation

AUGUSTA – Most Maine residents fly only occasionally, but four of the state’s most frequent fliers are upset at the increased delays, canceled flights, lost luggage and attitudes of some airlines.

“I have had my luggage lost more in the last couple of months than I have had in all the years I have been traveling,” said U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, who serves on the Senate Commerce Committee that has oversight of legislation affecting airlines. “And there are the delays.”

Last year set a record for delays and other complaints about airlines, but Snowe says this year easily could set a new record. The latest data from the federal Department of Transportation indicate that for the year ending May 31, the national average for on-time flights was 77.3 percent.

Some of the airlines that serve Maine were above average, but one of them – U.S. Airways – had the worst numbers in the country at 68 percent of flights on time.

The domino effect of the late flights does not show up in the statistics, Snowe said, indicating that delayed meetings, wasted time in airports and disruption of vacation plans all flow from a system that needs fixing soon.

“Just flying in last night, I was delayed an hour in [Washington] D.C. as they waited for pilots for the plane,” 2nd District Rep. Michael Michaud said Friday. A member of the House Transportation Committee, he has been experiencing firsthand the delays outlined in the DOT report. He said members of Congress should be the first ones to realize there is a serious problem that needs to be fixed.

“We certainly are frequent fliers; I try to come home every weekend, and the delays and cancellations have been increasing dramatically,” Michaud said.

He said he usually travels with only carry-on luggage “and lots of reading material.” because of the delays.

“We will address this in the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] authorization legislation this fall,” he said. “We will be increasing the capacity of the FAA, but there also has to be accountability with the airlines.”

Michaud said the legislation may have to require changes in the way airlines schedule so adequate time is allowed for connecting flights. According to DOT statistics, about a third of all flights in the country have at least one connection and delays are frequent.

“We really need the passenger bill of rights legislation I have introduced,” Snowe said. “What travelers are being put through now cannot continue.”

Snowe’s legislation requires airlines to provide passengers with necessary services such as food, potable water and adequate restroom facilities while a plane is delayed on the tarmac. The measure also would offer passengers the option of safely leaving a plane they have boarded after three hours if the aircraft has remained stagnant on the ground.

Michaud agreed there needs to be a passenger bill of rights. He said that as the Transportation Committee considers the FAA reauthorization bill, there will be efforts to provide explicit traveler protections.

Maine’s other two members of the delegation are not as involved with the issue because they do not serve on committees that have jurisdiction over airline legislation. But they both are concerned about what members of the traveling public will face until legislation can be adopted.

“We all understand that there are times when severe weather will cause flights to be delayed or even canceled,” said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins. “However, as someone who travels back and forth to Maine weekly, I certainly understand the frustrations of passengers who have been trapped on airplanes for excessive periods of time, and who have had difficulty in getting accurate information about delayed flights.”

She agreed it may take legislation to get the airlines to improve their service and treatment of passengers.

“I’ve heard from many Mainers with serious complaints about airline service,” 1st District Rep. Tom Allen said. “All flights must have safe drinking water and adequate ventilation, and airlines must keep passengers fully informed about the timing and cause of flight delays and cancellations.”

Both Snowe and Michaud say there is strong support in their respective committees to take action on the airline problems this summer. Some of the FAA expansion proposals may take additional funding, which will be considered in separate appropriation legislation.