Congressmen may bring back airline regulation

[Matt Molnar]

Congressmen may bring back airline regulation
By JOAN LOWY, Associated Press Writer Joan Lowy, Associated Press Writer - Wed Jun 16, 4:22 pm ET

WASHINGTON – Restoring financial regulation of the airline industry will be put before Congress if the Justice Department approves a proposed merger of United and Continental airlines, two key House members said Wednesday.

At a hearing on the merger, Reps. James Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Jerry Costello, D-Ill., chairman of the panel's aviation subcommittee, expressed concern about the impact the proposed deal could have on consumers and airline workers.

Deregulation has been credited with making airline travel affordable for the average American. But Oberstar pointed to the $2.7 billion the airlines earned in baggage fees in 2009 as evidence that consumers are no longer benefiting from the system. He said he believes there's support in the House for re-regulation. [Full Article]

What an effing joke.

[T-Bird76]

Hey we are regulating just about every other industry now...why not the airline industry??? So much for the free market system... Effing joke is right...

[adscram14]

What a joke. The AIRLINE industry needs to be regulated? Baggage fees, although annoying, is still a way to make profit, just like any other business in the world. How about commission on stock, does that need to be regulated?

[NIKV69]

Hey we are regulating just about every other industry now...why not the airline industry??? So much for the free market system... Effing joke is right...


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I almost threw up when last night when Joan Walsh went into a tirade on Hardball that culminated with her view that this country is rigged for the rich! We need more regulation like we need a whole in the head. So we can go back to paying $600 for a round trip transcon ticket instead of $300 but save that 45 bucks! Wheeeee!

I hope you all remember this when you vote this November. If they even entertain this in congress there is something seriously wrong or it could be a trick to try to get votes. Which runs in line with demonizing any big companies they can to try to secure the little guy vote. From now till November will be one crazy ride. Get ready!

[PhilDernerJr]

Back to regulation? I thought they were already doing that with the way people like Schumer stick their nose into everything.