Fri, Sep 10, 2010
But Consumer Group Contends That Even Full Disclosure May Be
"Deceptive"
Flyersrights.org says it welcomes
Tuesday's launch of the "Mad As Hell Day!" initiative of the
American Society of Travel Agents, Business Travel Coalition and
Consumer Travel Alliance in support of airline fare transparency.
The consumer group says its longstanding concern for fare
transparency is reflected in the August 3rd news release from
Senator Jim Webb (D. VA.) acknowledging the organization's support
for his Airline Baggage Transparency and Accountability Act, now
pending in Congress.
"FlyersRights.org welcomes the 'Mad as Hell' group into the fray
in the fight for transparency in ancillary airline fees,"
FlyersRights.org founder, Kate Hanni said. "Since as early as 2007,
FlyersRights.org has fought for fare transparency regarding
ancillary fees and has achieved significant success with the
inclusion of remedial language in the pending Federal Aviation
Administration Reauthorization Act and proposed rulemaking
currently before the Department of Transportation in Docket No.
DOT-OST-2010-0140," she added.
"While we welcome the support of others in the effort to provide
the public with full disclosure of all additional charges that
airlines may impose in addition to the price of a ticket, our
position may differ significantly from those whose efforts just
stop with disclosure," Hanni said in a news
release Thursday. She said the availability to the public
of complete information is always very important but often does not
go far enough by itself to protect consumers. "Some practices," she
said, "even when fully disclosed, may remain fundamentally unfair
and deceptive."
Kate Hanni
Ms. Hanni observed that unbundling airline services that were
traditionally an inherent part of air transportation is highly
reminiscent of the story of the customer who goes to buy a used
car. When asked the price, the dealer replies, "$12,000." When the
customer doesn't react, the dealer adds, "that's for the body, the
wheels are $1,000." When the customer again doesn't react, he adds,
"each."
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