Open Letter From The Airline Asks Public To Contact Congress

Southwest Airlines is enlisting the aid of its passengers to fight an increase in the TSA Passenger Security Tax from $2.50 to $5.00 in next year's budget.

In an open letter to passengers posted on the company website, the airline says that the Obama Administration has plans to triple the tax by 2017.

In the letter, Southwest Executive Vice President Don Ricks says that the U.S. airlines and their customers are already subject to 17 different federal taxes and fees, which totaled nearly $19 billion in 2012.
 
"TSA is already adequately funded," the letter states. "From FY 2007 to FY 2012, Congress increased the TSA budget 18 percent while the number of passengers screened dropped. Simply put, TSA does not need the money. TSA is screening about 11 percent fewer passengers today than it did in 2007. Additionally, the agency is getting more efficient in screening passengers, particularly with the expanding “PreCheck” expedited screening program. If more taxes are needed, it is time that Congress seeks money from other users and beneficiaries of the TSA’s services who currently pay nothing instead of just socking it (again) to the airline industry.
 
"Higher taxes drive up the cost of air travel for our Customers and dampen demand, which hurts all of us. Our trade organization, Airlines for America (A4A), and other industry partners have joined together to oppose these tax hikes and WE NEED YOUR HELP to ensure these taxes are not increased."

FMI: http://www.stopairtaxnow.org/