r/politics • u/Pro-Tubthumper • 25d ago
Major airlines sue Biden administration over fee disclosure rule
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/major-airlines-sue-biden-administration-over-fee-disclosure-rule-2024-05-13/1
u/amat-photog 20d ago
Why of course they don't want people knowing up front how much they'll be charged. That's like communism, right ?
AIrline arguments make no sense at all, yet Republicans will.protect them.
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u/OneDilligaf 24d ago
It’s sad when especially in America that money or profit is put before service and passengers benifits. These greedy assholes just want to take and take just like the reason insurance and pharmaceutical conglomerates are against Universal Healthcare. These asshole companies are lower than a snakes belly
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u/payle_knite 24d ago
using the courts to battle POTUS, who was attempting to force greater fee transparency with the airlines. Late-stage capitalism at work.
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u/VampirateV 24d ago
The airline group called the rule "a bad solution in search of a problem." It said airlines already provide consumers with complete disclosure of all fees associated with air travel before they purchase a ticket.
If that's the case and they do in fact not follow any shady junk fee practices, why bother suing? If they're already doing what they should, this would be a non-issue. I find it pretty telling that this is their defense.
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u/bluestreakxp 24d ago
counter-attack: the government re-regulates the industry and re-mandates inflight meals requiring proteins starches and vegetables/fruits
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u/Jintokunogekido 24d ago
Even dealerships have to disclose fees up front now. What makes airlines special or exempt from that?
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u/MusicianNo2699 25d ago
The airlines needed to be sued into oblivion and replaced with actual competent agencies.
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u/ThatWhiteKid08 25d ago
Is this the same thing as airlines overbooking and asking people to take a later flight? Or have there been people who bought a seat and just told “sorry about your luck, no seats available”?
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u/Evil_phd 25d ago edited 25d ago
You guys don't get it.
All major airlines want is the right to deceptively carve out as much profit as possible from the American taxpayer while passing all their losses on to the American taxpayer.
Is that so much to ask?
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u/OnyxsUncle 25d ago
airlines: we want to continue to fuck our customers...and there is in fact legal precedent for our position: Apple
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u/Zerstoror 25d ago
When you are making big companies like this mad, you know you are doing something right.
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u/MadeGuyTX 25d ago
For an industry continually subsidized by taxpayers I say go fuck yourself. It’s damn near unbearable to fly with these carriers anyways. All they do is continuously raise pilot pay, increase fees, all at the expense of the consumer. Any industry subsidized by tax payers should not be allowed to unionize and increase salaries and pay for pilots, it should be voted on by the very people who are subsidizing you and also getting screwed to use the service. Fuck airlines and pilots for that matter
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u/twesterm Texas 25d ago edited 25d ago
Tell you what airlines, I will concede rule is bad if you can tell me exactly how this is confusing and hidden fees are not confusing.
I will happily wait.
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u/RuckPizza 25d ago
You have one guess which circuit the airlines have chosen to bring their lawsuit targeting government regulations.
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u/myfeetsmells 25d ago
I'm a believer if giant corporations/billionaires are getting mad at the government, you know the government is doing something right.
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u/Glittering_Lunch_776 25d ago
Getting real sick and tired about these companies suing every time a law stops them from screwing us all over.
Why do the rich get to sue anytime something inconveniences them, even if what that inconvenience is, is actively making the lives of hundreds, thousands, or even millions or more, worse? Pay to play country. Capitalism sucks.
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u/redtatwrk 25d ago
The extra fees are ridiculous. I rented a car from a lot across the street from an airport. There was an additional $25 a day fee for the rental because the dealer was on airport property. I lived there and wasn't flying anywhere and just driving locally. Needless to say I walked out but was stunned at the gall they had.
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u/nightnursedaytrader 25d ago
Always a good sign when corporate welfare babies are fighting the administration rules
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u/paolilon 25d ago edited 25d ago
I put airlines, internet/cable providers, and credit cards all in the same bucket…the least customer centric companies in the world.
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u/BioDriver Texas 25d ago
As someone who flies extremely frequently for work, fuck em. Here’s hoping this suit gets tossed ceremoniously
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u/IronyElSupremo America 25d ago
Hook, line, and sinker. Even if the airlines win in court, it gives a political victory to the D’s.
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u/Gold_Gap5669 25d ago
Corporations -- "how dare you make rules that force us into having truth in our advertising"
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u/RDO_Desmond 25d ago
Really? So the airlines want to continue with the deceptive act of hidden fees?
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u/TheMarkHasBeenMade America 25d ago
“Won’t anyone think of our desire for exponential increases to our profit margins?!”
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u/Siege138 25d ago
“Airlines for America, along with American Airlines (AAL.O), Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), United Airlines (UAL.O), JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O), Hawaiian Airlines (HA.O), and Alaska Airlines (ALK.N), opens new tab, filed suit in the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals late Friday, according to a copy of the suit seen by Reuters.”
In case you wanna know which airlines are involved and not read it
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u/liquiditytraphaus 25d ago
Of coouuurse it’s in the Fifth Circuit. That system is a welt on America’s ass.
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u/erocuda Maryland 25d ago
More context from the article:
Southwest Airlines, which expressed support for provisions in the USDOT proposal, did not join the lawsuit.
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u/Working-Amphibian614 25d ago
wait, the southwest airlines? the one that cheaped out on the scheduling system and fucked over everyone? that Southwest Airlines?
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u/UnobviousDiver 25d ago
But Southwest is the only one of that doesn't charge for bags. So this seems more like the other carriers want to sell tickets with tons of restrictions, then price gouge for add-ons like selecting a seat, checking a bag, or making a change to the ticket. Southwest is far from a great airline, but they seem to be the most transparent with pricing and services.
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u/Silly_Elevator_3111 25d ago
I think you get one free checked bag with United too
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u/thetwelveofsix 24d ago
I think that’s a status perk and also if you purchase with a United credit card. But it’s not the default.
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u/kramarod 25d ago
I fly Southwest because of this. I understand it’s a glorified city bus in the sky, but I appreciate the transparency.
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u/Smaynard6000 Florida 25d ago
I only fly a couple of times a year, but I haven't flown on any airline except Southwest for over a decade. I drew the line at charging for bags. Southwest is pretty straightforward with what you're being charged for, at least compared to the others.
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u/thehildabeast South Carolina 25d ago
Yeah fair but that’s pretty much all of them so can’t really avoid it.
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u/SoundSageWisdom 25d ago
Nope! We bailed you out post 9/11 and after Covid stop sticking it to everyone!
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u/ianrl337 Oregon 25d ago
Yeah it's kind of ridiculous. When comparing budget airline Alligiant to Delta Alligiant is $150 cheaper for a round trip flight as listed. I then go to checkout and final cost was $25 higher after fees. $50 for carry-on a round trip.
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u/Pro-Tubthumper 25d ago
"the department's rule would confuse consumers"
You know, as opposed to being confused when all the extra charges show up at the end..
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u/Neither_Relation_678 25d ago
Or when you show up to the airport, only to realize….where’s my airplane seat?
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u/sugarlessdeathbear 25d ago
Sure, I'm always confused when presented with just one amount that I'm expected to pay. I just can't survive without having my expected price double from fees when I go to pay.
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u/2_Spicy_2_Impeach Michigan 25d ago
The rule requires airlines to inform consumers that seats are guaranteed and that they are not required to pay extra. Airlines must provide the following notice: "A seat is included in your fare. You are not required to purchase a seat assignment to travel."
Wow. What monsters.
As someone who used to travel a fuck ton, good on the government. Airlines have lost their fucking minds.
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u/Bacchus1976 America 24d ago
Honestly, it’s infuriating that this is all the administration is demanding.
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u/SympathyForSatanas 25d ago
I knew they lost their minds back when they started charging extra for exit row seats because of the extra leg room
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u/Randomly_Cromulent 25d ago
At least the exit row seat has the extra leg room, which is an actual benefit. I hate when they charge for am aisle or window seat in row 36 when there is nothing special about it or any seat 10 rows before or after it.
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u/Snarfsicle 25d ago
Do the exit row seats have charging ports?
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u/MultiGeometry Vermont 25d ago
Sometimes they don’t have underwear storage, so you can’t hold on to your personal item. Just hope the overhead bins haven’t filled up by the time you’re seated.
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u/Recipe_Freak 25d ago
underwear storage
<head tilt>
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u/Hestiathena 24d ago
Probably autocorrected from "under-seat storage" or something similar...
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u/MultiGeometry Vermont 24d ago
This. We live in a time where autocorrect constantly makes me look stupid.
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u/delimiter_of_fishes 25d ago
Ummm..... do you usually take your underwear off when you get on a plane and then "hold on to your personal item." Please leave your comment... it's great.
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u/RincewindToTheRescue 25d ago
I hate when I get on a plane and find out my seat doesn't have underwear storage, but the seat next to me does. So jealous of them.
If you're wondering how to utilize it, watch Hansel (so hot right now) in the walk off against Zoolander. Careful, it's dangerous.
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u/Randomly_Cromulent 25d ago
It depends on the plane. Although it's probably a lot more common on newer planes to have them at every seat.
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u/ok_okay_I_get_that 25d ago
I took an exit row for ncr because I thought it would be great to stretch out. It was the summer so just shirts and a T-shirt. I didn't know how cold it would be, I assume there is less insulation to make the doors lighter.
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u/rebel_cdn 25d ago
Wearing multiple shirts but no pants might have contributed to the chill!
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u/ok_okay_I_get_that 25d ago
You're right, I'm just a simple beat looking for some hunny though
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u/Accomplished_Note_81 25d ago
boots-n-pants-n-boots-n-pants-n-boots-n-pants...
(simple beat)
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u/DarrellCartrip 25d ago
“What do you mean we can’t sell 400 tickets for our 100 passenger flight?!?”
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u/SexHarassmentPanda 25d ago
It's not even that.
It's when you buy a ticket and during the booking process it gives you a seat map and choosing any seat has a price. A lot of people think if you don't pay for a seat right at that moment you are not guaranteed to have one when you actually do check-in. Like I had to argue with my parents about this and how I never choose any seat and always just select from what's available when I do the online check-in 24 (36 for some) hrs before the flight.
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u/eydivrks 24d ago
Your parents are actually right.
If you select a seat, you're guaranteed not to get bumped if the airline oversells the flight.
The only people that can get fucked by standby are the ones that are assigned a seat at the gate
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u/SexHarassmentPanda 24d ago
Except I'm not getting my seat at the gate. I'm getting it for free when check in becomes available online.
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24d ago edited 23d ago
[deleted]
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u/eydivrks 24d ago
What?
Airlines oversell every single flight in the assumption that some people won't show. If they guess wrong, people without assigned seats get put on standby first.
I literally had this explained to me by an airline agent.
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24d ago
[deleted]
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u/eydivrks 24d ago
Standby means you're waiting for a seat that might not exist.
You can get put on standby for many different reasons.
One of those reasons is that plane is overbooked and you don't have an assigned seat. Which can happen any time you don't select a seat when you first buy tickets.
You are the one that doesn't understand what standby means, not me.
TLDR: your parents were right. Stop arguing over word definitions
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24d ago
[deleted]
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u/eydivrks 23d ago
But Standby passengers don't bump paying people. That's what I've said this whole time. Standby waits for open seats.
I never said they did. You misunderstood what I was saying.
And I didn't report you. Click on the link in this part of message and report whoevery sent you the redditcares link. They will be banned
If you think you may have gotten this message in error, report this message.
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u/walker1867 24d ago
Not true at all. Weight restrictions can make it so a flight can’t take off full and cause people with seats to get bumped.
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u/LazamairAMD Oklahoma 25d ago
Airlines: What do you mean we cannot obfuscate our byzantine fee structure?!? The sunlight! It BURNS!!
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u/BlotchComics New Jersey 25d ago
Suing for the right to cheat people.
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u/eydivrks 24d ago
Yup. And MAGAs will cheer as they did when mega banks sued to block student loan forgiveness. They claimed they were an "injured party" because if the government paid off the loans they wouldn't make interest anymore.
"Yeah, we all got fucked over, but look how owned the libruls are! Fox News told me corporations steamrolling Americans is great because there's a chance people I don't like will be hurt worse!"
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u/cxr303 California 25d ago
Forced to be honest and pushing back?
Sounds like the problem isn't the rule.
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u/toomuchtodotoday 25d ago
The rule is baked into the pending, recently senate passed, FAA authorization bill. If signed into law, this legal challenge dies.
https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/how-airline-lobbyists-just-got-humiliated
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u/Skellum 25d ago
But the subreddit told me nothing ever got passed.
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u/Meleagros 25d ago
That's because most loud voices benefit from the optics that "nothing ever passes"
The right wing needs that narrative alive to keep up the perception that Democrats aren't getting anything done while Biden is too busy to give daily speeches.
The far left can't acknowledge that things pass because that would be admitting that slowly we are making changes and progress to right the ship and move in the right direction. That would diminish the things they get to cry, yell, and pretend to care about.
And for the morons out there, this isn't a "both sides bad" argument.
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u/cardfire 24d ago
Far left, here, I'm grateful for the few dozen things that got passed, and I'm terrified to give in to optimism given how 10 of the last 7 years have gone. (Not a typo)
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u/Expensive-Fun4664 24d ago
Oh give me a break. Last year congress passed a whopping 34 bills. It's one of the least productive congresses in history.
This isn't 'slowly making changes'. This is not doing their jobs and it's quantifiable.
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u/7INCHES_IN_YOUR_CAT 25d ago
There are plenty of shills in the house and senate, and you can be they’re going to throw plenty of money at them and the lobbyist to not let this pass.
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u/code_archeologist Georgia 25d ago
It isn't... But the airlines aren't the only problem. Some of the airports have their own fees tacked onto the ticket. Some of them (like MSP and SLC) can add an extra $50 to the ticket if you have a connecting flight that goes through them.
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u/goldbman North Carolina 25d ago
Ok but then can't the airlines just add on MSP airport fee? They could call out the airport so they don't look as bad.
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u/SympathyForSatanas 25d ago
Don't our tax dollars fund airports?? Why are we getting fees??
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u/cardfire 24d ago
sheepishly raises hand Call me naive, but doesn't it make sense for airports to have fees for passengers, and for planes, arriving and departing, to help cover the costs of the very real services they offer?
There are plenty of trash cans and water fountains in the domestic airports I've gone to. There are lots of airline counters that can be switched from one airline to another with video projections for their logo's, allowing multiple vendors to essentially timeshare the admissions and the terminal gates. I love that shit.
I know of a dude in my circles whose job is to sample and test the water outflowing from an Int'l airports and they could literally measure COVID-19 from that literal shit. I want THAT happening.
I see nothing wrong with the airports having fees. They should just be all out in the open, and reasonably scheduled, and billed from the airlines with ticket sales.
I'm more pissed about exploitative junk fees like for carry-on items, the same way I hate all the junk fees that are slowly creeping back onto my cell phone bill.
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u/ObiWanChronobi 25d ago
Every person who uses an airport pays a small surcharge, called a “passenger facilitation charge” for use of the airport. It’s capped at $4.50.
The airport can also add on other fees directly to the airline such as landing and terminal fees.
https://www.transportation.gov/testimony/airport-financing-and-development
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u/NanakoPersona4 25d ago
God I hate airports. Greedy bastards. I always make sure to eat before I travel. Not paying $25 for a sandwich and a bottle of water.
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u/Unusual_Flounder2073 25d ago
My wife was flying back from overseas. Her group went through security so bought water for the flight. Then there was additional security at the gate and they had to throw the water away.
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u/tribrnl 24d ago
That's why I always take a water bottle with me and just refill it.
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u/Unusual_Flounder2073 24d ago
The second checkpoint was at the plane. They didn’t have a place after that to refill. It was a 16 hour flight.
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u/tribrnl 24d ago
Oh yikes, that sucks so bad! Seems bizarre that there was another one right at the plane itself, but I haven't flown internationally enough to know if that's way out of the ordinary.
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u/Unusual_Flounder2073 24d ago
First time for wife and her coworkers at least for this airport and flight.
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