As of today, airlines can't keep passengers on planes waiting to takeoff for longer than 3 hours. And they have to provide snacks and water during the those hours. The rule was first announced back in December but goes into effect today. If they break the rule, airlines will have to pay a stiff penalty per passenger, something like $27,500 each.
OK. Two schools of thought: Yay, the federal government cares about my vacation! And Boooo, the airlines will find a way around it or somehow still make my air travel experience miserable. I'm going with the latter. Several airlines have already asked for exemptions and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has said "no."
The airlines are serious too - about trying to recover some of the profits they've lost during the economic recession and they're not going to risk big fines. To that end, some experts and airline execs have said passengers should expect to see more cancellations this summer. If there's a chance that big old thunderstorm is going to prevent takeoffs for hours, expect your flight to be cancelled. Before you even get out of the gate. Then expect to have to wait awhile - considering the busy summer season, a long while - before you can rebook.
Here's another new rule a la Bill Maher: Sandra Bullock cannot keep her baby a secret when honest paparazzi so obviously deserve to have access to every crevice of her life. What was she thinking!
Associated Press Photo