But Consumer Group Contends That Even Full Disclosure May Be "Deceptive"

Flyersrights.org says it welcomes Tuesday's launch of the "Mad As Hell Day!" initiative of the American Society of Travel Agents, Business Travel Coalition and Consumer Travel Alliance in support of airline fare transparency. The consumer group says its longstanding concern for fare transparency is reflected in the August 3rd news release from Senator Jim Webb (D. VA.) acknowledging the organization's support for his Airline Baggage Transparency and Accountability Act, now pending in Congress.

"FlyersRights.org welcomes the 'Mad as Hell' group into the fray in the fight for transparency in ancillary airline fees," FlyersRights.org founder, Kate Hanni said. "Since as early as 2007, FlyersRights.org has fought for fare transparency regarding ancillary fees and has achieved significant success with the inclusion of remedial language in the pending Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act and proposed rulemaking currently before the Department of Transportation in Docket No. DOT-OST-2010-0140," she added.

"While we welcome the support of others in the effort to provide the public with full disclosure of all additional charges that airlines may impose in addition to the price of a ticket, our position may differ significantly from those whose efforts just stop with disclosure," Hanni said in a news release Thursday. She said the availability to the public of complete information is always very important but often does not go far enough by itself to protect consumers. "Some practices," she said, "even when fully disclosed, may remain fundamentally unfair and deceptive."

Kate Hanni

Ms. Hanni observed that unbundling airline services that were traditionally an inherent part of air transportation is highly reminiscent of the story of the customer who goes to buy a used car. When asked the price, the dealer replies, "$12,000." When the customer doesn't react, the dealer adds, "that's for the body, the wheels are $1,000." When the customer again doesn't react, he adds, "each."

FMI; www.flyersrights.org