Two proposed consumer protection rules being considered by the federal Department of Transportation have been taken off the table by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, a Trump appointee who reversed plans put forward during the Obama administration.
Neither of the plans—one from 2011 to allow DOT to collect information on fees and one from 2016 to require airlines and agencies to disclose baggage fees as soon as a ticket price is offered—had not gone into effect due to extensive lobbying from the airline industry (with the exception of Southwest, which supported both proposals), and despite heavy lobbying by consumer groups.
Chao’s announcement said that “The department is committed to protecting consumers from hidden fees and to ensuring transparency. However, we do not believe that departmental action is necessary to meet this objective at this time.” That’s disputed by consumer groups who
The proposed rules were meant to end the difficulties travelers have comparing piecemeal fares; one airline’s price might include a bag, a meal and a choice of seat, while all might be extra on another. Charlie Leocha, of Travelers United called Chao’s decision “an abdication of their legal responsibility, and said “This withdrawn rulemaking was created to allow airline consumers to determine the full cost of travel, including airfare as well as ancillary fees together with their exceptions and exemptions. Without clear, public data available to travel agents and on the Internet, travelers find it impossible to effectively comparison shop.”
