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Washington, D.C. -
Transportation Committee Requires Increased Reporting
Congresswoman Jean Schmidt today released the summary of her study into tarmac delays of three hours or longer occurring in 2006. Increasingly delays of multiple hours are being reported. These delays are extremely frustrating to the passengers because they are unable to leave the plane for hours.
"In 2006, some 1,295 flights reported to the Department of Transportation that passengers were forced to sit in their seats for more than three hours before take off or after landing. What’s more, 1,295 woefully under reports the actual number of frustrating delays. We do a pitiful job of actually measuring these types of delays," Schmidt stated.
Under current procedures at the Department of Transportation, delayed flights that are eventually cancelled or even flights that are diverted are not counted as delayed. The American Airlines flight that began the Passenger Bill of Rights campaign was a flight en route to Dallas that was diverted to Austin. Upon arriving in Austin passengers were required to sit in the seats for as long as 9 hours before being allowed to deplane.
After spending the night many of the passengers boarded regularly scheduled flights to Dallas the next day. Because diverted flights are not reported, the Department of Transportation would simply report that the passenger arrived on time in Dallas regardless of the nightmare they experienced.
"I believe the number of tarmac delays recorded by the DOT is off by as much as 50 percent. We need the facts. My bill, included in the FAA Reauthorization, will require all of the delays to be reported. Only then will we have the true picture," Schmidt added.
Schmidt’s study of the reported delays reveals that half of all delays occur in the Northeast Corridor. That area of the country nearly stretched the Air Traffic Control System to the max. Full skies mean adverse weather causes significant delays as there are too few available take off windows unused.
"The problem causing these delays is an air traffic control system that is at capacity. Sure there are plenty of stupid actions compounding the issue but we have to either increase the bandwidth of our control system or act to reduce flights. Technology will help us solve this problem but we need to act now," Schmidt added.
Congresswoman Schmidt represents the Second District of Ohio Representingall or parts on seven counties along the Ohio River, including Hamilton, Clermont, Warren, Brown, Adams, Pike and Scioto Counties. She serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure and Agriculture Committees.
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