The FAA Won't Be Regulating Legroom After All — At Least For Now

Last month, TPG Associate Editor Emily McNutt chatted with US Senator Charles "Chuck" Schumer (D-NY) about an amendment he proposed that would allow the FAA to require a minimum seat measurement for airplanes. The amendment, aimed at regulating legroom, would help ensure a safe and comfortable ride for airline passengers, who are constantly being subjected to tighter and tighter spaces. Senator Schumer had high hopes, noting that the issue extended past party lines, while opponents of the amendment worried that setting limits on seat measurements would lead to higher airfares for consumers overall.

Now it seems the FAA will not be regulating legroom anytime soon. According to an article by the Washington Post, the amendment was voted down 54-42 Thursday, with most Democrats favoring and most Republicans opposing.

Before voting on the bill, Schumer appealed to his fellow Senators, describing how he removes the contents of the seat-back pocket in front of him whenever he flies in an effort to gain "a 16th of an inch more legroom" so his knees don't knock into it — an issue even though he's only about six feet tall.

What do you think: Should the US government be in charge of regulating legroom on airplanes? Sound off below!