[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    DISDAIN OF AIR PASSENGER DELAYS

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                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2007

  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, recently, I received an offer from 
American Express entitled, Travel Delay Protection. That's right for 
$9.95 per person per trip you can get an insurance plan to safeguard 
against flight delays and their associated hassles and costs. Has 
American aviation really been brought to this level Madam Speaker? Like 
Lloyds of London of old responding to sinking ships, American Express 
simply sees a modern opportunity in a far too sinking industry.
  We have been told that the recent debacle in Texas in which 
passengers were held hostage for almost a day, was an anomaly. We are 
told that to legislatively address the basic rights of air passengers 
is an overreaction.
  Well, Madam Speaker, if American Express, no dummy of a company, sees 
profit in the misfortunes of America's airline industry, I think 
Congress at least should listen to the collective voice of countless 
aggrieved passengers. Especially, Congress should hear passengers who 
suffer regularly from flight delays and disruptions, but because they 
are not caught up in the major anomaly of the season, they don't get to 
air their disdain on the national news. They just suffer.

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