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United hit with $1.1M tarmac delay fine, largest DOT levy
United Airlines has been fined $1.1 million by the Department of Transportation for 13 lengthy flight delays that occured on a single stormy day at O’Hare International Airport last year. It's the largest fine assessed by the government since a rule aiming to limit long delays went into effect in 2010. Still, it’s less than half the maximum possible penalty. (www.chicagotribune.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
surprised the government didn't decide to make an example out of them and impose the max fine
I in no way take the side of the airlines being I worked for one for almost 20 years,but,let's be realistic here folks.The airlines already struggle at our expense to make travel by air fast,not real expensive and most times comfortable ( yea right you say ) but these things they try to do. Then you throw in the Feds with these outrageous fines,I would be going " what the heck do I need to do here anyway " and these worst part is that the Feds get the money and it helps not one passenger that suffered through these delays,most of the time anyway.I am in no way saying they should not be fined in this case because they had such a plan for this in place and NEVER USED IT. I guess what i'm saying is that even though i am a religious man i can honestly say i believe that a act of God should not cost so much.I mean after all all he controls it not United,US Air or anyone else.Just my thoughts anyway and I will say that I know 75% will disagree with me.
They just should have brought the flights back to the terminal and cancelled them.
Well, that is the main problem anytime it happens. Let's say wx is wreaking havoc somewhere else enroute. For greed or revenue, they don't want to cancel the flight, yet if they deplane, they may lose the slot to go. Crapshoot
They will do so in the future, and cancel more flights, instead of trying harder to get them out.
Penalize airlines with fines for trying to get flights out, and they won't try so hard.
Penalize airlines with fines for trying to get flights out, and they won't try so hard.
And it might be something if at least some part of that fine went to the pax instead of all to the DOT
I think the article said $185,000 goes to the passengers, which is about $197 for each of the 939 passengers. Looks like more of the fine money should have been diverted to the passengers and not to the government but I'm not sure the government is as concerned about the passengers being stuck as they are about using the passenger's misfortune as a way to get more money for the government.
Passengers shouldn't have the expectation of getting paid for weather delays (particularly that segment where airlines are trying harder to get the flight out and not lose a departure slot), but neither should the government.
Let's use some common sense. If airlines deliver pizza and beer along with an extra case of toilet paper, then they should be allowed more time to try to get their flight out.
The passengers were there because they would like to get to their destination. The crew is there because they'd like to get airborne abs get paid to take the passengers to their destination. The airline allocated a plane to be there to take the passengers to their destination.
If only the weather cooperated all the time.
The worst is when an airplane that diverted to an airport where they have no flights, so no base crew and no contracts with any operator at the airport, and so the plane can't get a gate. If the airport doesn't provide a gate to prevent the plane from just sitting on the airfield fir hours, then make the airport pay the fine, not the airline.
Once airports are paying the fines, they'll start finding gates real quick for stranded flights diverted due to wx. Even an airfield parking space with a shuttle bus trip provided to the terminal would solve the problem of tying up a gate unexpectedly for hours while waiting for weather to clear at some other airport. Publish a fee schedule, and have the captain sign an invoice upon arrival.
Why should anyone be looking for a fast buck, when all we should want is a better working?air travel system (in case case, when weather gums up the works).
Let's use some common sense. If airlines deliver pizza and beer along with an extra case of toilet paper, then they should be allowed more time to try to get their flight out.
The passengers were there because they would like to get to their destination. The crew is there because they'd like to get airborne abs get paid to take the passengers to their destination. The airline allocated a plane to be there to take the passengers to their destination.
If only the weather cooperated all the time.
The worst is when an airplane that diverted to an airport where they have no flights, so no base crew and no contracts with any operator at the airport, and so the plane can't get a gate. If the airport doesn't provide a gate to prevent the plane from just sitting on the airfield fir hours, then make the airport pay the fine, not the airline.
Once airports are paying the fines, they'll start finding gates real quick for stranded flights diverted due to wx. Even an airfield parking space with a shuttle bus trip provided to the terminal would solve the problem of tying up a gate unexpectedly for hours while waiting for weather to clear at some other airport. Publish a fee schedule, and have the captain sign an invoice upon arrival.
Why should anyone be looking for a fast buck, when all we should want is a better working?air travel system (in case case, when weather gums up the works).
I also read that two of the airplanes did not have working toilets, so I don't think giving pizza and beer are going to solve the issue and there are some people that sure don't need any additional alcohol in their system and I don't want stuck on an airplane with them.
My bottom line is that if I pay for a ticket to go from point a to point b at a certain time and if the airline can not deliver (for whatever the reason), then I should be able to get off the plane with a refund and not be held hostage for three plus hours.
People don't really go to the airport with the purpose of "looking for a fast buck" but the airline knew the score when they didn't do what is mandated. The mandate wasn't put in place while they waited for the weather to clear. Also, the 13 planes didn't all leave their gates at the same time and once the airline knew there was an issue with getting planes of the ground, then they should not have continued loading and leaving the gates. The other airlines at the same airport didn't have an issue.
My bottom line is that if I pay for a ticket to go from point a to point b at a certain time and if the airline can not deliver (for whatever the reason), then I should be able to get off the plane with a refund and not be held hostage for three plus hours.
People don't really go to the airport with the purpose of "looking for a fast buck" but the airline knew the score when they didn't do what is mandated. The mandate wasn't put in place while they waited for the weather to clear. Also, the 13 planes didn't all leave their gates at the same time and once the airline knew there was an issue with getting planes of the ground, then they should not have continued loading and leaving the gates. The other airlines at the same airport didn't have an issue.
Fair enough. They should give fair notice upon boarding, so that passengers can make up their own mind before getting on the plane.
They can inform pax that there have been it may be delays in getting a departure slot possibly resulting in extended airfield delay without return to terminal.
In no circumstance should they be flying planes without a working bathroom. In addition any plane without bathroom facilities should return immediately to the terminal upon extended delay.
But for those that don't mind trying to make it out, I see no problem. Just keep the fed and happy.
When wx delays get extended you can often accumulate two or more flights worth of passengers. Let the adventurous and more eager depart the terminal without penalizing the airline for trying to get out in tough circumstances.
They can inform pax that there have been it may be delays in getting a departure slot possibly resulting in extended airfield delay without return to terminal.
In no circumstance should they be flying planes without a working bathroom. In addition any plane without bathroom facilities should return immediately to the terminal upon extended delay.
But for those that don't mind trying to make it out, I see no problem. Just keep the fed and happy.
When wx delays get extended you can often accumulate two or more flights worth of passengers. Let the adventurous and more eager depart the terminal without penalizing the airline for trying to get out in tough circumstances.
Sounds like a plan to me. You are now in charge of getting it done. Oh wait, that might just work, we can't have that.