Let’s see…

Are you aware of all the redundant rules this administration has put in place on airlines?

Are you aware that right now, the rule as stated is that if there is a “substantial delay” airlines are already obligated to provide a refund if the passenger requests. And that most airlines allow the passenger to define what a substantial delay is…because what is substantial to one passenger might not be substantial to another…so the passenger holds all the power?

Under the new rule…the what constitutes a substantial delay is determined by the government and it is set at 3 hours. So if I’m that guy had a 2 hour delay the airline is not going to be obligated to give me a refund anymore because they set the standard for what substantial is and took it out of the customer’s hands.

Are you aware that airlines already are obligated to provide refunds in the event of a cancellation? That’s already required. But airlines give the customers optionally meaning you can have a refund, be booked on the next available flight, or have a credit.

So back to getting airlines to behave better…that’s what buttigieg and Biden want you to believe but it isn’t reality. Airlines are already doing these things. The horror stories you hear are the exceptions, but the rule. But it’s those stories that drive government to do stupid things.

Buttigieg has gone after airlines as DOT secretary because it is low hanging fruit…airlines are easy targets. If you fly enough you’re going to have a bad experience just by nature of the business. And one thing republicans and democrats can agree on is they don’t like airlines.

He is trying to pad his resume to run for president. He has pushed a ton of rules on airlines that are meaningless, or just codifying things airlines were already doing. It is nonsense.

These rules aren’t really going to make airlines behave better. They will take optionally away from the customer and have the side effect of making air travel more expensive.