Welcome to the AmiCOUR IP Blog.  We invite your comments.  Past Issues.

June 7, 2011 - The most recent statistics released by the Department of Transportation revealed a 97 percent reduction in tarmac delays exceeding 3 hours. The change came about as the result of legislation successfully brought about by a California passenger turned lobbyist after American Airlines carelessly trapped her aboard a plane with  other victims for approximately 9 hours. Kate Hanni started an aviation consumer protection organization to do what the official US Government's FAA Aviation Consumer Protection Division had failed to do. She successfully convinced legislators to force recalcitrant carriers to put an immediate end the ever increasing airline standing events. Despite a trend of bullying, intimidating, and even arresting passengers who complain to airlines about bad service, Hanni held a "strand in" by setting up a cramped tent packed with chairs on the Washington DC Mall. She invited unaware Senators and Congressmen to come and waste 6 or 7 hours of their lives listening to recordings of crying babies while forgoing food an water, just like real airline passengers had to. The point was apparently well taken, even though the only congressional visits were to make speeches and comment to the interested press. It was soon clear that no volunteers were arriving to endure the 6 hour opportunity to waste their valuable time in Hanni's makeshift airplane simulator, but that was exactly the point. The national news media recognized Hanni for making her point so effectively and soon even South Park had an episode mocking  incompetent airline managers who contributed to the ridiculous and unreasonable tarmac standings.  Despite having both the late night comedians and public opinion on her side, at least one contumacious carrier still appeared ready for a personal fight with Hanni. She and her organization didn't think twice about landing the arrogant airline in Federal Court to face a complaint of computer hacking her organization's private email account. The lawsuit was eventually settled quietly, and her lobbying plan proceeded until the new tarmac rule was passed. Just 20 flights exceeded Hanni's recommended three hour limit during the 12 months preceding June 1, 2011 versus almost 700 flights for the period one year earlier. Hanni's personal sacrifice to get the job done included sitting on countless  transcontinental flights, but unlike those stranded passengers a year ago, her time apparently didn't go to waste.  Perhaps a handful of carriers do deserve credit for occasionally getting her to Washington in time to meet with legislators.