DOT Criticized Over Lack of Response to Passenger Complaints

Given the terrible on-time record the airlines have sported in the past year, one would hope they would at least be punished for it. According a USA Today article however, the consumer protection rules governed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) are not being enforced nearly enough. USA Today stated that customer complaints - usually revolving around poor customer service, delays, cancellations, lost luggage, etc - were up 70% in September and skyrocketed during the months of July and August.

Since the airlines have shown precious little motivation in improving their scheduling to benefit their passengers, the DOT should aggressively enforce the rules that are in place to protect the flying public. That way, the airlines will have to put their passengers as a priority rather than their quarterly earnings.

Read the entire USA Today article here.