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US Lawmaker to Propose Legislation to Protect Passengers From Involuntary Bumping

April 14, 2017
•
2 min read
Airplane aisle
US Lawmaker to Propose Legislation to Protect Passengers From Involuntary Bumping
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Since the #BumpGate incident on a United Airlines flight when passenger David Dao was bloodied and dragged down the aisle of a plane for not giving up his seat to a United employee, there's been a large outcry for a change in the law. Our neighbors up north in Canada are set to introduce new legislation that would ensure the protection of passengers on board flights, including bumping. And, it looks like a US lawmaker is now on board with changing the rules here.

According to Delmarva Now, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D - Maryland) is in the process of drafting a bill to help protect the consumer. The bill, titled the "Customers Not Cargo Act," would effectively prohibit airlines from forcibly removing passengers after they've already boarded a flight. The law would make it illegal for airlines to force passengers off a plane due to overbooking or to accommodate crew.

Van Hollen plans to introduce the bill following the congressional recess, which ends on April 24. Part of Van Hollen's bill would push the Department of Transportation to update policy on overbooked flights in addition to pushing airlines to offer more incentives to passengers. Specifically, Van Hollen's bill focuses on the protocol for how airlines compensate passengers when they're already on board an aircraft.

This proposal from Van Hollen is the first of its kind from a US lawmaker following the Dao incident on United Flight 3411. Van Hollen expects to get bipartisan support for the bill, but only time will tell if it actually passes.

Click here for more United Bumpgate coverage.

Featured image by Getty Images/Uppercut RF

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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