by Mark Silva
President Bush, vowing to address “the epidemic of aviation delays,’’ today announced several measures aimed at, first, alleviating air-traffic congestion for Thanksgiving holiday travelers, and also improving the flow of airline traffic over the long-term.
“We can restore the confidence of America’s consumers, improve the efficiency of America’s airports and bring order to America’s skies,’’ Bush said at the White House. “It’s one thing to analyze a problem, but the American people expect us to come up with some solutions.’’
The government also has created a Web-site – www.fly.faa.gov – displaying delays at airports around the country and is enabling people to have delay announcements sent to their mobile telephones.
“We can do better,’’ Bush said. “We have an aviation system that can be improved.’’
This is the initial map of airports available at fly.faa.gov, but delays at regional airports also are available by following a regional button above the map to the regional airports.
This is what Bush announced today:
The military will open some of its reserved airspace along the Eastern corridor from Maine to Florida to commercial air travel for five days surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Federal Aviation Administration will impose a holiday moratorium on all non-essential work to focus all its personnel and equipment on keeping flights on time and reducing bottlenecks in the New York area, “the source of most chronic delays.’’
At the government’s urging, airlines have agreed to make more staff available to facilitate check-in and boarding and to help accommodate people whose flights are delayed are cancelled, as well as adding more ticket-dispensing kiosks at airports.
Proposing new federal regulations to ensure that passengers are “treated fairly,’’ proposing to double the compensation that passengers receive for being bumped from overbooked flights – raising it from $400 to $800.
“Congestion pricing’’ that will make airport fees more expensive at peak hours and encourage airlines to spread their flights out over time.
Pressing Congress to modernize the FAA.
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Comments
You know that's probably the first honest to goodness GOOD thing he's done for the American public. I applaud it, and I say well, better late than never.
Unlike the ilks of Jerry White, Springfield, IL and JohnD, I can tell good from bad.
Posted by: jack | November 15, 2007 2:51 PM
Oh, please, Jack, stifle yourself. What, for once you don't spew reckless venom at Bush and all of a sudden you can see good from bad? Please.
Posted by: John D | November 15, 2007 3:03 PM
Hmmmm, so Bush believes government can in fact directly impact people's lives in a positive way by monitoring the way companies do business? Regulations to ensure individuals are "treated fairly", "congestion pricing", pushing the airlines to change their staffing models ..Are all those conservatives out there sure he's not interfering with business and the free market? Spin away please!
Posted by: kb | November 15, 2007 3:09 PM
It would be a nice thing to be able to get through the airport more quickly. Better still would be if we were assured of getting out of the airport at our destination SAFELY. Right now, with all the incompetence at security and the sieve-like nature of our borders in general, I'm not impressed. Personally, I'm willing to take 3 hours to get through security checks if it means the flights are totally safe.
Nice comment from John D, the resident expert on useless venom-spewing. He's matched comment-for-comment with the next 3 Bush-haters for quantity of venom-spewing, but of course that's completely different because it's coming from him.
Posted by: Op109 | November 15, 2007 3:16 PM
about time??? no way!! i have known about this airway system being behind for the last 17 years. yet nothing has ever been done except talk. everyone is to blame for this. government for not doing anything about it. airlines for flying more jets in crowded airspace and the public for not being understanding of the situation when it comes to traffic and weather delays. i used to work for the airlines for 10 years and let me tell you that it is no longer fun. fix this like yesterday please.
Posted by: fidel | November 15, 2007 3:20 PM
I was going to respond to JohnD on his... silly comment, but remembered that his credibility on this board is much like his hero's in the eye of the American public, in the toilet, so why bother? Enjoy your day JohnD. I am.
Posted by: jack | November 15, 2007 3:25 PM
Jack, it is a beautiful day, thank you.
By the way, in the real world I have plenty of credibility. In the surreal alternative reality world of the Loony Left, I don't have any credibility. Works for me.
Posted by: John D | November 15, 2007 4:13 PM
Bush's hypocrisy is staggering. He'll veto the farm bill because it's "social spending," yet now he has a huge plan to fix America's airports? What the hell? How is that not "social spending" too?
He shouldn't have anything to say about airports. Airlines and airports should.
The more time goes by, the more and more Bush looks like a Democrat, and that is really saying something.
Posted by: Etheryin | November 15, 2007 4:29 PM
JohnD, I'm sure in the real world of the 28%ers your word is gospel. I'll stand over here with the rest of the America, if not the world, of what you call the alternate world for whom Jan 20 2009 can't come soon enough.
Posted by: jack | November 15, 2007 4:30 PM
Someone PLEASE keep Bush away from the airports!
Posted by: lochnessmonster | November 15, 2007 5:02 PM
"SO I GUESS DICK CHENEY HAS NORAD IN HIS POCKET OVER THE HOLIDAYS AGAIN"
NO THREAT LEVEL, NO RED, ORANGE, YELLOW THIS HOLIDAY?
SO OUR SKIES ARE SAFE ENOUGH TO KNOW WHEN A PLANE HAS CIRCLED ANOTHER BUILDING.
SO OUR RESPONSE TIME IS SO MUCH GREATER NOW BECAUSE REGENT UNIVERSITY GRADS ARE THE NEW PILOTS FLYING F15'S.
OR IS THIS GEORGE BUSH MUSHARIFF HOLIDAY FOR AMERICA.
Posted by: Roger Morris | November 15, 2007 5:03 PM
Oh Jackie, seeing you whimper Jan. 20, 2009 when a Republican is sworn in as president would be a a sight to behold!
Posted by: John D | November 15, 2007 5:54 PM
Reminder:
Johnny D, start booking your plan tickets to France. The "liberal media" is coming out to vote.
Posted by: AA | November 15, 2007 6:40 PM
JohnD, unlike you, I can accept a Republican President. I give, like I did to GWB, the benefit of the doubt that the person who takes office will put the country above party affiliation. GWB has failed that, miserably.
Now, JohnnyWeenie, I think it's just going to KILL you to have a Democrat in the White House again. And while I'm no big fan of Hilary's, I'd pay money for a ticket to see the look on your face on Jan 20 2009 when the phrase "Madam President" will be first used.
Can you say it, Johnnyboy? Repeat after me, "President Clinton".
Posted by: jack | November 15, 2007 8:44 PM
jack,
Yeah, it may be the second. He signed the Railroad Retirement Improvement Act in 02. I give him credit for that. Helped me.
That's two things he has done right.
BTW, it looks like Crazy John Devola doesn't want us to complement President Bush. (?) Apparently we have assigned roles to play.
Posted by: C.Morris | November 15, 2007 8:46 PM
"By the way, in the real world I have plenty of credibility. In the surreal alternative reality world of the Loony Left, I don't have any credibility. Works for me.
Posted by: John D | November 15, 2007 4:13 PM"
Here's a picture of John D's un-surreal world.
http://www.dalifineart.com/gallery/b3_annivers_elefante.jpg
Posted by: C.Morris | November 15, 2007 9:06 PM
Nice little pic there, C Morris.
Jack, Jack, Jack: JohnnyWeenie??? What, are you still in child care with John E and Janet???
Posted by: John D | November 16, 2007 9:27 AM
John, John, John, Jackie? Civility begets civility. Immaturity begets, JohnnyWeenie.
Posted by: jack | November 16, 2007 9:52 AM
Bush is such a humane man. Now, after alleviating those awful travel delays, perhaps he could alleviate at least some portion of the human misery he has created.
Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | November 16, 2007 11:26 AM
This isn't really about telling companies how to run their business. It's more akin to rules of the road, if you will. UPS and FedEx, for instance, rely on the road system for their business. I don't think anyone would argue that the government has no business governing the nation's highways or railroads, or that such expertly run companies would somehow be better off if the government removed speed limits or turned off traffic lights. In the same way, it is the government's obligation to ensure that the "skyways" flow smoothly, as well.
Posted by: JB | November 16, 2007 12:12 PM