Airline Industry Under Fire: Senators Take Aim at Predatory Practices
The airline industry is facing intense scrutiny from lawmakers, with Senator Josh Hawley introducing the End Airline Extortion Act to ban airlines from charging passengers extra fees for baggage, seating, and other services. This move comes after a Senate hearing where airline executives were grilled about their predatory practices.
Treating Customers Like Cattle
Hawley slammed airline companies for treating their customers like cattle, charging them different prices for the same flights and sometimes different prices for bags and carry-ons. He also highlighted the practice of paying gate agents bounties to harass customers trying to get on the plane. “It’s corporate greed in action,” Hawley said.
The Torture Twins: Spirit and Frontier
Spirit and Frontier Airlines have been accused of turning flying into a dystopian cash grab. Passengers are forced to pay extra for basic services, and gate agents are incentivized to harass customers who don’t comply. The airlines’ executives have admitted to paying gate agents bonuses for labeling bags as too big, netting them millions of dollars in revenue.
Junk Fees and Nickel-and-Diming
The airline industry has been criticized for its junk fees and nickel-and-diming tactics. Passengers are charged extra for everything from checked bags to seat assignments to snacks. Frontier Airlines, in particular, has been accused of running its own version of Shark Tank at the gate, where passengers are forced to prove their carry-on bags fit in the overhead bin.
Airlines’ Greed Exposed
The Senate hearing exposed the airline industry’s greed, with executives admitting that their job is to generate as much revenue as possible. Frontier’s CEO Barry Biffle even called passengers who try to avoid luggage fees “shoplifters.” The airline industry’s lobby group is expected to fight against any changes to their business model.
A Step in the Right Direction
Senator Hawley’s proposed End Airline Extortion Act is a step in the right direction, but it’s unlikely to pass without significant pushback from the airline industry lobby group. Until real change happens, passengers are stuck paying first-class prices for a subpar flying experience.
The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Spirit Airlines has been a treasure trove of blog material, with its predatory practices and nickel-and-diming tactics providing endless fodder for criticism. It’s surprising that the airline hasn’t yet figured out how to silence its critics.
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