A note from the folks that run CAPBOR (Coalition for Airline Passengers Bill of Rights) indicates that seem to be having an intriguing problem right now. On the eve of a major media event, the CAPBOR blog has reportedly been hacked according to a message that plainly states, "HELP! We've been hacked! Our blog has been hacked and disabled."

Despite questions surrounding who or what may have done such a thing (and the questionable timing of such an attack), the CAPBOR staff is letting the aviation public know that the "Strand-In" that was scheduled for September 19th, remains as scheduled on the National Mall in the nation's capital.

CAPBOR reminded ANN that, "Passengers from across the country who have been victims of disturbing strand-in situations at the hands of commercial airlines will stage a simulated strand-in situation on the National Mall, Wednesday, September 19 to bring attention to passengers' rights legislation. Members of the Coalition for an Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights joined by students and members of Congress who support the need for Congressional action on behalf of airline passengers are gathering to make their voices heard against the continuing inhumane treatment of airline passengers.

CAPBOR is urging Congress to ensure that the FAA Reauthorization Bills (H.R. 2881 and S. 1300) require airlines to establish a maximum tarmac delay period and to have the U.S. Secretary of Transportation enforce them. According to DOT, the contingency plans currently offered by the airlines are not enforceable.

Kate Hanni, Founder and Executive Director of CAPBOR will be joined by Coalition member-organizations Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG), former commercial airline pilots, former jet engineers and airline industry employees. The event will include a full multi-media experience that will open your eyes to what it's like to be stranded!

WHAT: Passengers Strand-In Simulation on the National Mall
WHO: Kate Hanni, Founder and Exec. Director, CAPBOR Ed Mierzwinski, Federal Consumer Program Director, U.S. PIRG Members of Congress Passengers' Rights Advocates
WHEN: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 Time 11:00am - 1:00 pm EDT
WHERE: National Mall between 12th and 13th streets - Washington, D.C.  

FMI: www.flyersrights.org