The House passed the bill to reauthorize the FAA.
Here is what's in it:
Mandatory retirement age for pilots goes to age 65 (from 60)
It has "passenger's bill of rights" words in it, but nothing tangible. For example, it does not limit how long airlines can keep passengers inside a airplane. Airlines are requited "to have a plan to deal with extensive delays". Doesn't this make you feel better already? Like we can trust the airlines on this. Maybe they will draw a line at 2 days.
The bill raises taxes on fuel for general and corporate aviation, but does not shift air traffic control costs from airlines as the airlines had wanted. So the airlines did lose something important to them.
Here's the kicker – it airports to charge as much as $7 per passenger to improve their facilities. At present passenger facility charges are capped at $4.50 per departing passenger. Watch for the airport rip off to kick in ASAP. Think of the great value you're getting – "improve facilities"….what a joke.
The bill is supposed to have funding to pay to modernize the air traffic control system. No details on this. But no problem, you'll either be stuck on a plane for hours and hours without recourse or stuck in an airport with "improved facilities".
No wonder Congress has never been more unpopular. No doubt the fat cats will be flying on private jets because they can't hold multiple airline bookings anymore and there is no way they will get stuck in an airport or airplane.
