Faa Reauthorization And Reform Act Of 2011

Floor Speech

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Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for this opportunity to bring my amendment forward. I want to point out that I actually brought forward this amendment back in 2009, and it was passed in this House back on May 21, 2009.

My amendment directs the FAA administrator to promulgate regulations within 180 days, giving consumers an option--I want to stress an ``option''--for a text message or an email notification from carriers in the event of a delayed or a cancelled flight. The amendment would, consistent with existing regulations, apply only to carriers which earn at least 1 percent of the domestic passenger service market.

My purpose today is not to tell the airlines how to run their businesses or to instill any burden on the airlines. It is merely to ensure that hardworking men and women who are spending their dollars flying the airlines are given the basic information that they deserve and, as I would say, what they've already paid for. We can all tell horror stories of delayed and cancelled flights. Given the advances in technology and the widespread use of cell phones and smart phones nationwide, it is only reasonable to consider that we would utilize 21st century solutions for all of the American public, not just for some who can pay a little bit more for it.

My amendment will help to ensure that the traveling public will receive timely notifications of any flight delay or cancellation. I need not tell you that flight delays and cancellations continue to be a problem. In fact, the Bureau of Transportation reported that, in 2010, more than one out of every five flights was delayed.

Major choke points for travelers have taken place at large hubs, but they can occur anywhere. It is not uncommon that the airlines have prior knowledge of an upcoming delay, and that information should be shared appropriately with the public. The airlines can simply send each passenger who has requested it an email or a text message, which would give those passengers more time to plan alternative routes or to notify their families.

Earlier this year, snow slammed the east coast and the Midwest. In the New York region alone, the storm caused thousands of cancelled flights at the Newark Airport. Customer service does matter, and in this case, it is something that all Americans deserve. Also, consider that it is in the economic interest of our country not to have thousands and thousands of people who are flying and who, unbeknownst to them, end up sleeping on the floor and running out of baby's milk and diapers, having a need to get to their final points.

Let me suffice to say that, in consultation with my colleagues on the other side, with Mr. Mica and others as well as with those in the industry, I have committed to working with them as we go forward to make sure that we can eventually get to a point where we can provide the public with the information but not in a way that is burdensome. So, today, I will not ask for a recorded vote, but I look forward to working with my colleagues on the other side to establish a better process going forward, which the industry has also agreed to work with me on.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. RICHARDSON. I thank the gentleman on the other side for his willingness to work with me.

As I have just spoken to the industry individuals, actually, not all of them have implemented it, so there is room to grow. Also, not necessarily all passengers are aware of the service or have access to it.

Suffice to say, I agree with your thoughts. Certainly, we're not looking to do anything burdensome, and we're certainly not looking for legal issues, but if we can figure out a way to work to get the best thing for the American public, that's my objective.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Chairman, the flying public should have the peace of mind of knowing that, if they so choose, they're armed with the latest information regarding their flight delays. This is what our American public has right now.

As this bill continues, I pledge to continue to work with Mr. Petri, Mr. Mica, and our ranking member, Mr. Costello, as we continue to work to make sure that the airlines can come up with a solution that will benefit all of the flying public here in America, a solution that does not burden the consumers or the industry, that can allow us to get to our objective, which is for people to fly safely and to be appropriately informed.

I urge my colleagues to continue to work on this issue.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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