"This fine is not only a first, but $175,000.00 is
dissuasive enough that U.S. Domestic airlines will really have to
think about their behavior before putting passengers in harm's way.
No longer can they sit people in hot, sweaty metal tubes without
basic life sustaining services indefinitely, without the threat of
penalties... The DOT appears to be willing to protect us, for
that we are grateful."
Source: Kate Hanni, founder and executive
director of FlyersRights.org, following the massive fines levied
against airlines Continental Airlines, Express Jet, and
Mesaba...