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Editor: James T. Crouse
Profession: Aviation Accident Attorney

Frieda doesn't think so.

The U.S. government must prevent long airline runway delays like those that stranded travelers for more than nine hours earlier this year, two U.S. senators said.

In 2001, American Airlines, United, and other major airlines successfully blocked a passenger bill of rights by promising to improve service to their passengers. According to the Detroit News, one senator accused the airlines of failing to live up to their promises to improve services thus concluding the government must "fix this". This senator introduced legislation on Feb. 17 of this year addressing this problem. Another senator accused the Transportation Department of failing to enforce rules to improve airline service, saying the airlines have no accountability. A third senator introduced legislation on March 1 which also addressed this problem. (2 different senators introduce 2 different legislations on the same issue - Hummm). According to one passenger who spent nine hours "herded" on an airplane, "the industry puts passenger welfare last and is much more concerned with their own bottom line".

As you might imagine Frieda has some thoughts on this matter. She agrees that something definitely needs to be done - holding passengers on an airplane for hours and hours comes too close to cruel and inhuman treatment. No excuse in the world justifies this treatment and the airlines need to fix it and quickly. That having been said, Frieda sees this as part of a far far greater problem that has been left to grow and grow while no one was looking - and perhaps that lady was correct - the airlines were just being concerned with the bottom line . As air traffic has grown at such a fast rate over the years, no one made sure the airports were growing and improving to keep up - no one projected what was going to be needed, and if there was a projection, there was no action. We now have over crowded air space, over crowded runways, ill planned runways, old systems threatening our safety - you name it, and it's probably out dated or messed up. At this moment Phoenix airport is constructing buildings that block the tower's view of the runways - - who planned this one???? Stated simply, this is a mess that's getting worse by the minute and no amount of legislation is going to untangle it simply by demand. It's going to take years of sound judgment and planning to get this under control and I don't know who is willing to risk his or her neck to speak out to get the job done. It will be an awesome and challenging task if and when it's ever tackled.

American Airlines is spending $1.1 billion on a new terminal at Kennedy, $100 million at O'Hare, and has plans for a new terminal in Miami. Perhaps there could be legislation to prohibit the airlines from "spiffing up" until they "step up" to the plate and do the right thing for their customers - and their industry. Frieda would much rather have a clean terminal and safe travel than a "spiffy" terminal and unsafe travel - perhaps even being held hostage on an aircraft. Do the airlines really think if we have a pretty modern terminal we won't mind the runway incursions, lost luggage, delayed flights, and all else quite as much? I disagree with the senator who said the airlines have no accountability. They do in deed have accountability - to the public who pays for their service. It's time we speak out to let them know what we expect and believe me, our voices will be heard loud and clear. Here we go again - if and when the airlines began to make the necessary changes for a better and safer tomorrow - it will then be time for us to be tolerant and understanding during the process - at that time, but not before.