Finally, government gets tough on airlines that hold passengers captive

The Department of Transportation announced Monday that airlines will face fines if they keep passengers in planes on the ground for more than three hours.

That’s a start, but being stuck shoulder to shoulder with strangers for three hours and not getting anywhere is still too long.

In 120 days the law goes into effect. After that, the airlines must provide food and water if passengers are confined for two hours. And, blessedly, the airline has to keep the bathrooms in working condition. After three hours, passengers can ask to get off the plane.

If these rules aren’t followed, the airline can be fined $27,500 per passenger. Of course, the government will get that instead of the truly injured — the paying public. The way airlines add one fee after another these days, the $27,500 might be a break-even point for people who fly often.

What the airlines should do is not taxi out to the tarmac when there’s a possibility of a delay. Passengers will still be miffed about missing a connection, but at least they will be in a terminal where there isn’t nearly the competition for using the restroom. They can stand up and move around, buy food they choose, not what they are provided. They can make phone calls alerting people at their destination they won’t be there on time. They can stretch out on the floor for a nap.

There used to be a time when flying was the best way to travel. It was convenient, reasonably comfortable and prices weren’t bad. In the Lower 48, if you think you might be held in a plane for three hours, then figure in flight time and travel to and from the airports, many people will opt to drive, take a train or a bus.

Alaskans don’t have those options. A drive to Seattle would be a couple of days in good weather. We have no train or bus service to Outside. There’s always the ferry, but that isn’t the fastest way to get from here to there.

So Alaskans who want to travel efficiently are confined to air travel. The good part is that a lot of national flights begin or end here — hence the numerous red-eye take-offs — so most often when Alaskans are grounded, it’s in an airport elsewhere.

Lastly, airlines have been asking passengers to use the facilities before boarding. Apparently, full bladders among 150 people cause unnecessary burning of fuel because of the added weight. That actually works in the passengers’ behalf if they are grounded for three hours.