Today's News

ACI-NA Daily Clips: Aviation News Stories From Around The Web

March 18, 2010

1. New Rule too Late for Fliers Stuck on Virgin America Flight
A nightmarish ordeal that passengers stuck on a Virgin America plane suffered over the weekend is adding to a growing dispute over a federal passengers-rights rule set to take effect next month.
By Gary Stoller
USA Today
March 18, 2010

2. Why Fliers Get Fed in the EU but Not in U.S.
A close comparison of traveler rights in the United States, European Union and Canada—three governments that have tried to tackle the issue—shows little advantage for airline customers in any particular part of the world.
By Scott McCartney
Wall Street Journal
March 16, 2010

3. House Extends FAA Authority Through July 3 (paid subscription required)
House lawmakers on March 17 approved a three-month extension of FAA’s operating authority. This will cover the agency from March 31 — when the current extension expires — through July 3.
By Adrian Schofield
Aviation Daily
March 18, 2010

4. Travelers' Claims for Damaged, Lost Luggage Down 50%
Passengers who discovered missing or damaged belongings demanded money from the Transportation Security Administration 11,700 times in 2009, a steep drop from the 26,500 claims filed in 2004, according to TSA figures.
By Thomas Frank
USA Today
March 17, 2010

5. U.S. Air Travelers Complain about Body Scans
Hundreds of U.S. air travelers have lodged complaints over use of full-body security scanners in the past year, charging they violate personal privacy and may be harmful to their health, documents released on Tuesday showed.
By Jeremy Pelofsky
Reuters
March 16, 2010

6. FBI Director Defends Handling of Christmas Case
FBI Director Robert Mueller on Wednesday defended his bureau's handling of the Christmas airline bombing attempt, insisting agents in Detroit moved quickly to protect lives. The suspect, he added, has been cooperating after his arrest.
By Devlin Barrett
Associated Press
March 17, 2010

7. LA Airport Screening Closed after Security Breach
Airport security agents mistakenly allowed a bottle of liquid to pass through before it was properly scanned early Wednesday at Los Angeles International Airport, causing a security breach that halted screening for about 25 minutes, authorities said.
Associated Press
March 17, 2010

8. Flight Attendants’ Union Pushes for Legal Limits on Carry-On Size (paid subscription required)
The association contends carry-on baggage is “out of control,” primarily because of the airline fees on customers for checking bags.
By Andrew Compart
Aviation Daily
March 18, 2010

9. Continental Offers Pilots a Pact Close to Delta's
Continental Airlines is offering its pilots essentially the same contract enjoyed by Delta Air Lines pilots, with two exceptions.
Associated Press
March 17, 2010

10. FAA Orders New Software for Boeing 777
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a safety directive ordering U.S. airlines to install new software on Boeing 777s to keep the jetliners from running off the end of runways just before takeoff. 
By Daniel McCoy
Wichita Business Journal
March 17, 2010