House approves airline safety provisions

The U.S. House of Representatives this week agreed to a short-term extension of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs that include airline safety and pilot training provisions.

The extension is the 15th extension. Airline safety and pilot training provisions in the FAA extension include:

• Establishes consolidated database of pilot records for hiring decisions
• Addresses pilot fatigue concerns within 90 days of enactment
• Requires prescreening standards for pilots to ensure only the best applicants are hired
• Requires 1,500 flight hours and specific flight, academic or operational experience to receive an airline transport pilot certificate (ATP)
• Makes it a deceptive practice for any entity advertising or offering to sell tickets for air transportation not to disclose the name of each carrier providing each segment of the flight

“The inclusion of these significant and bipartisan safety initiatives in the FAA extension is the right thing to do,” said U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), Republican leader of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Enjoying nature at Pickett's Mill Battlefield

UPDATE: DOT fines Comair for violating 'bumped passenger' rules

ATLANTA – The U.S. Department of Transportation this week fined Comair $275,000 "for violating federal rules regarding passengers denied boarding” – better known as bumped passengers – “on oversold flights.”

“Our bumping rules are designed to protect passengers when airlines overbook a flight,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. “We expect carriers to comply with these rules and will take enforcement action when they do not.”

The DOT’s Aviation Enforcement Office opened an investigation into Comair after receiving customer complaints.

The investigation “revealed numerous cases in which Comair failed to solicit volunteers to leave overbooked flights and provide passengers with the appropriate denied boarding compensation” and that the airline “filed inaccurate reports with DOT on the number of passengers involuntarily denied boarding,” the DOT said in a news release.

According to the DOT, airlines must “seek volunteers willing to give up their seats for compensation” if a flight is oversold. However, if an airline does bump passengers because not enough are passengers willing to give up their seats, the airline must give those passengers “a written statement describing their rights and explaining how it decides who will be bumped from an oversold flight,” according to the DOT.

Involuntarily bumped passengers usually also receive up to $800 for giving up their seats.

Based in Cincinnati, Comair is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Airlines.

DOT fines Comair for violating 'bumped passenger' rules

ATLANTA -- The U.S. Department of Transportation this week fined Comair $275,000 "for violating federal rules regarding passengers denied boarding" -- better known as bumped passengers -- "on oversold flights."

"Our bumping rules are designed to protect passengers when airlines overbook a flight," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. "We expect carriers to comply with these rules and will take enforcement action when they do not."

The DOT's Aviation Enforcement Office opened an investigation into Comair after receiving customer complaints.

The investigation "revealed numerous cases in which Comair failed to solicit volunteers to leave overbooked flights and provide passengers with the appropriate denied boarding compensation" and that the airline "filed inaccurate reports with DOT on the number of passengers involuntarily denied boarding."

According to the DOT, airlines must "seek volunteers willing to give up their seats for compensation" if a flight is oversold. If an airline does bump passengers because there are not enough passengers willing to give up their seats, the airline "is required to give bumped passengers a written statement describing their rights and explaining how it decides who will be bumped from an oversold flight."

Bumped passengers usually also receive cash for giving up their seats.

'Ticket frenzy' email said to be a hoax

An email claiming that “a 30 day speeding ticket frenzy” kicks off Aug. 1 is really a hoax, according to Georgia authorities.

“Starting Aug 1, Georgia will launch a 30 day speeding ticket frenzy,” the email reads. “The state estimates that 9 million dollars will be generated in speeding tickets. 1 million will go to pay state troopers’ overtime. The rest to help with dwindling budgets.”

Local media confirmed the “ticket frenzy,” the email claims. “Look for city and county governments to adopt similar polices in the near future,” the emails reads.

The e-mails also claims that “50 state troopers on duty at all times patrolling the 7 main intersections and highways” and that “every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every 10 to 20 minutes.” In addition to “30 brand new unmarked Dodge Charger Police cruisers,” authorities “are bringing in all of their part timers on full time.”

The state Department of Public Safety on Friday linked to a page on Snopes.com dispelling the rumor and noted that “Georgia is the latest state to be included in this urban legend.”

Feds investigate airline fees

By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2010

The federal government is taking note of the fees that airlines charge for checked bags and other services, and additional regulations of – and federal tax revenue from – these fees could soon follow.

“Travelers often experience difficulty understanding what airlines charge since fees are not printed on boarding passes, are not displayed on travel Web sites, and are often not clearly displayed on airlines’ Web sites,” U.S. Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., said in his prepared opening statement to a House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation hearing. “We need to ensure that, at the very least, if ancillary fees continue to be charged, the consumer is made fully aware prior to their travel of what to expect.”

While a number of airlines in recent years have started charging customers to check bags or purchase snacks, Spirit Airlines in March announced it wanted to start charging passengers to store carry-on items in overhead bins. In 2009, airlines made more than $3 billion from fees, money which is not subjected a 7.5 percent federal excise tax that funds the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which supports the Federal Aviation Administration, according to a Government Accountability Office report.

“Airlines like imposing fees rather than increasing fares because in most cases they can avoid paying taxes which support the safety and efficiency of our airport system – so consumers are being ripped off and shortchanged at the same time – enough is enough,” Kate Hanni, executive director of FlyersRights.org, said in a news release.

In June, the Department of Transportation announced a number of proposed “consumer protections,” including “full and prominently displayed disclosure of baggage fees.” An analysis by the Consumer Travel Alliance found that the “hidden fees” airlines charge can increase the cost of an airline ticket for a popular route by more than 50 percent for a traveler who has two checked bags and extra legroom.

“Our analysis showed that the hidden fees charged by airlines now rival the cost of the tickets themselves, often without any disclosure to the consumer at the time of purchase,” Charles Leocha, director of the Consumer Travel Alliance, said in a statement. “For a family traveling in these tight fiscal times, those fees can be an unexpected shock totaling hundreds of dollars in unanticipated expenses. If airlines want to charge additional fees for their services, they should be required to disclose all of those fees through every ticketing channel, so consumers can compare complete travel costs.”

WDW opening pets resort

Man’s best friend will soon have a chance to meet the Mouse’s best friend.

Walt Disney World recently announced plans for the Best Friends Pet Resort, a pets-only resort that can accommodate 270 dogs and 30 cats. The resort – to be operated by Best Friends Pet Care Inc. – will also accommodate a number of other animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs and pot-bellied pigs.

Currently, Best Friends Pet Care Inc. operates five pet care facilities throughout the resort; the new pet resort will replace those facilities.

The 27,000-square-foot resort is scheduled to open Aug. 27. The pets-exclusive resort is located near Disney's Port Orleans Resort.

New arts festival coming to Atlanta

ATLANTA – Atlanta officials announced the debut of a regional arts event this fall.

The Midtown Festival of the Arts is scheduled for Sept. 25-26 and will take place along the so-called Midtown Mile – Peachtree Street between 5th and 10th streets. A public art display and the Midtown Mile Road Race are among the festival’s events.

“The two-day neighborhood event promises to be a joyous gathering that showcases the important cultural assets of our city, embraces all of our citizens, and positively represents Atlanta's diverse cultural tapestry,” Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said in a news release.

“Our goals are to showcase the best of Midtown Atlanta while celebrating the Southeast as a destination for arts, culture and entertainment,” Leslie Johnson, president of Midtown Festival of the Arts, said in a news release. “The time is right to strengthen Midtown’s already vibrant neighborhood.”

For more information about the Midtown Festival of the Arts, visit www.MidtownFestivalOfTheArts.org.

DOT: Five planes experience delays of three hours or more

ATLANTA -- Five flights in May experienced tarmac delays of three hours or more, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported.

The delays came during the first month of new rules that stipulate airlines can only keep passengers waiting on the tarmac for three hours before it would be required to let them disembark.

Four of the five flights were operated by United Airlines, according to The Associated Press. The fifth flight was a Delta Airlines flight.

All were blamed on weather, the newswire reported. The feds did not immediately say whether it would levy fines.

Under the new rules, airlines within two hours must provide passengers with "adequate" food and water and they must also "maintain operable lavatories," the DOT said.

The three-hour limit only applies to domestic flights and it does provide for some exceptions, including safety or security and if returning to the terminal would disrupt airport operations. Domestic airlines that operate international flights to or from the United States "must specify, in advance, their own time limits for deplaning passengers, with the same exceptions applicable," the DOT previously said.

The new rule also includes a number of other requirements, including a requirement that airlines display on their Web site information about flight delays for each domestic flight they operate.

DOT data also showed that .067 percent of their scheduled flights had tarmac delays of two hours or more.

Marietta unveils statue dedicated to heroes

MARIETTA, Ga. -- The city of Marietta last week unveiled a statue dedicated to the families and loved ones of the military and first responders.

"It's important to recognize and to salute those families and loved ones for their sacrifices every day," Kiwanis Club of Marietta president Victoria Turney said in a city-issued news release.

The new "Forever Remember" statue is located in a park at the corner of Anderson and Roswell streets near the town's square. The park will be completed and formally dedicated at a later date, according to the city.

"This is part of a project throughout Marietta to green up the entryways into the city, and create better public spaces and new parks," city manager Bill Bruton said in a news release. "The project will make everything look a little bit nicer coming in, and really reflect the wonderful attitude we have here in Marietta by the looks of our streets, entryways and gateways coming in."

DOT: May Airline On-Time Performance Lower Than Last Year and April

The nation’s largest airlines had a rate of on-time flights this past May that was lower than the same month last year and the rate posted in April 2010, according to the Air Travel Consumer Report.

According to information filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of the Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), the 18 carriers reporting on-time performance recorded an overall on-time arrival rate of 79.9 percent in May, down from the 80.5 percent on-time rate in May 2009 and April 2010’s 85.3 percent.

Beginning this month, the report includes new data for consumers that are being used by the DOT to monitor compliance with the new consumer protection rules that took effect in April. It lists chronically late flights – those that are more than 30 minutes late more than 50 percent of the time – for two or more months – for each carrier reporting on-time performance.

In addition, the report lists all flights by the reporting carriers with tarmac delays of more than three hours, and for each carrier shows how many flights had tarmac delays of more than two hours. Previously, the report showed flights with four-hour tarmac times and the carrier summary for three-hour tarmac times.

The monthly report also includes data on lengthy tarmac delays, flight cancellations and the causes of flight delays by the reporting carriers, as well as information on airline bumping, reports of mishandled baggage filed with the carriers, and consumer service, disability and discrimination complaints received by DOT’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division. This report also includes reports of incidents involving pets traveling by air, as required to be filed by U.S. carriers.

The consumer report includes BTS data on the number of domestic flights canceled by the reporting carriers.

In May, the carriers canceled 1.2 percent of their scheduled domestic flights, a higher rate than the 0.9 percent cancellation rate posted in May 2009 and the 0.7 percent rate posted in April 2010. In May, the carriers canceled 5.4 percent of their regularly scheduled flights at least 5 percent of the time, the first time this number is available in the Air Travel Consumer Report.

Ga. company suspends duck boat rides after Philly accident

ATLANTA -- Duck boat rides at Stone Mountain have been suspended in the wake of an accident on the Delaware River in Philadelphia.

Norcross-based Ride The Ducks suspended its operations nationwide on Thursday, including at Stone Mountain and in Philadelphia. The company's fleet includes more than 90 duck boats that also operate in Branson, Mo.; San Francisco; and Newport, Ky.

A Ride The Ducks boat in Philadelphia collided with a barge on Wednesday, capsized and sank. Two people are still missing.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with our Philadelphia tour guests, crew members and their families. We are attending to their needs first," the company said in a statement. "In the interim, we have voluntarily suspended our Ride The Ducks operations nationwide.

"If you already have a reservation, you can receive a full refund or reschedule for a future date," the company said. "We will resume operations shortly."

The company was founded in 1977.

Views from the Peachtree Road Race

Greetings from the Peachtree Road Race

AAA: Uptick in holiday traffic expected

ATLANTA – In what is no doubt a welcome sign, the number of Americans projected to travel this Independence Day is slated to increase, AAA predicts.

Nationwide, AAA predicts a 17.1 percent increase in the number of travelers this Fourth of July compared to last year. In Georgia, the number of travelers this holiday is expected to increase by 11 percent.

“Overall, travel sentiment for Independence Day weekend is very high compared to last year, when the U.S. economy was in a very different place and Americans felt the strain of the recession,” Jessica Brady, manager, AAA Public Relations, said in a news release. “Optimism is high this year for Independence Day travel, as more Americans report they plan to travel this year since they stayed home last year, mainly for financial reasons.”

In Georgia, 834,641 of the 910,000 total travelers are expected to drive. Police statewide are planning to step up enforcement, and state officials predict 18 traffic deaths this holiday weekend.

“Anytime a holiday period falls on a weekend, there is an increased chance of encountering an alcohol impaired driver as you travel,” Col. Bill Hitchens, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said in a news release. “Minimize distractions in your vehicle and be alert should you be forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision.”

AAA predicts uptick in holiday traffic

ATLANTA -- In what is a welcome sign, the number of Americans projected to travel this Independence Day is slated to increase, AAA predicts.

Nationwide, AAA predicts a 17.1 percent increase in the number of travelers this Fourth of July compared to last year. In Georgia, the number of travelers this holiday is expected to increase by 11 percent.

"Overall, travel sentiment for Independence Day weekend is very high compared to last year, when the U.S. economy was in a very different place and Americans felt the strain of the recession," Jessicsa Brady, manager of AAA public relations, said in a news release. "Optimism is high this year for Independence Day travel, as more Americans report they plan to travel this year since they stayed home last year, mainly for financial reasons."

In Georgia, 834,641 of the 910,000 total travelers are expected to drive. Police statewide are planning to step up enforcement.

Zoo Atlanta orangutan euthanized

ATLANTA – Sandar, Zoo Atlanta’s 3-month-old Bornean orangutan, was euthanized today.

Sandar suffered multiple health complications since his March 30 birth, and officials did not believe the orangutan’s condition would improve.

“The Zoo Atlanta family is saddened by the passing of Sandar, particularly given the daily acts of determination and commitment that went into his treatment,” Raymond King, the zoo’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “The level of dedication and devotion that defined his care is unprecedented.”

Because of a series of recurrent illnesses, Sandar depended on oxygen. The zoo’s staff was planning to re-introduce Sandar to his family, had his condition improved.

“The Zoo staff and the many dedicated nurses, doctors and specialists from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta went above and beyond the call in doing everything possible to combat Sandar’s many challenges and health complications. With his physical and developmental problems, he would never have survived this long in the wild,” Dr. Dwight Lawson, senior vice president of collections, education and conservation, said in a news release.