Passenger Bill of Rights Takes Effect

The US Department of Transportation's "Expanded Airline Passenger Protections" went into effect yesterday (except for the parts that won't go into effect until next year): "The new consumer protections, finalized earlier this year, include requirements that airlines refund baggage fees if bags are lost, increase compensation provided to passengers bumped from oversold flights, and provide passengers greater protections from lengthy tarmac delays."

I am pleased with any guidelines that require increased corporate responsibility, although I would frankly have been more impressed with a passenger bill of rights that banned "enhanced pat-downs," which are not remotely an effective tool against terrorism, and required airlines to treat fat passengers like human beings.

Not for nothing, but more people might fly (see: $$$$$) if they weren't worried about being sexually violated or randomly required to purchase a second seat they can't afford.