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Will U.S. Senate Leave Airline Passengers' Rights On the Runway Again?

Key Senate Vote Scheduled for Tuesday Called "Critical test of Senate's Commitment to Big Airlines, or Passengers?"

WASHINGTON, May 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The nation's leading airline passenger rights group said that a U.S. Senate vote on limiting debate on the FAA Reauthorization bill scheduled for Tuesday was a critical test of whether the Senate had a commitment to airlines, or passengers.

"Without a doubt, a no vote Tuesday is a vote to leave passengers once again stuck on the runway for hours in stinky planes," said Kate Hanni, Executive Director of CAPBOR, "The coalition considers the vote a critical test of whether Senators have a commitment to protect the powerful airline lobby, or protect passengers. Our members are watching."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has scheduled a procedural or cloture vote on whether to limit debate on the FAA Reauthorization bill for Tuesday. Passage of the amendment moves the bill toward final passage, a defeat means the bill would likely be pulled from the floor. "Passengers are crying out for basic human rights on airplanes, enough is enough."

"Airlines and other powerful interests have used their political power to waste a week's time on the Senate floor, jeopardizing a real opportunity to pass a bill to improve our air traffic control system, improve passenger safety and grant passengers the rights they deserve," added Hanni. "Eight years ago the Senate left passengers on the runway because the airlines promised they'd do better. The airlines have made things worse and the Senate shouldn't listen to them again. "Passengers have had enough of bailing out the airlines and getting nothing in return."

Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) championed this bi-partisan bill, written to ensure the rights and dignity of passengers. But this can happen only if it moves onto the floor for a vote.

The Coalition for an Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights (CAPBOR) is the largest non-profit consumer group for airline passengers. CAPBOR has over 23,000 members since being established in February 2007. www.flyersrights.org or 1-877-flyers-6.

SOURCE Coalition for an Airline Passengers Bill of Rights

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