On Course: Guidelines for airlines

Last update: November 23, 2008 - 1:32 AM

THIS JUST IN

Guidelines for airlines

After several well publicized incidents involving passengers stuck on the runway for hours, the Department of Transportation last December convened a task force. Last week, its final report was issued, but not much will change. The report recommends several optional guidelines, including providing passenger updates every 30 minutes and making reasonable efforts "when practicable" to keep the bathrooms clean. It doesn't recommend a limit on how long passengers can be kept on the tarmac, as some had hoped. (Read the full report at www.dot.gov/affairs/Tarmac.pdf.) The Air Transport Association, which represents many airlines, said setting maximum tarmac times could force planes close to taking off to return to the gate. Not everyone agrees. Kate Hanni, president of FlyersRights.org and a task force member who voted against the recommendations, said in a written statement that the task force approved a plan "that does not address the [airlines'] ability to hold passengers against their will in a sealed tube on the tarmac for an indefinite period of time."

WASHINGTON POST

real deal

Cross Canada by rail

VIA Rail is reducing fares by 50 percent on its Toronto-Jasper-Vancouver Canadian line. This luxury package includes a double bedroom for the three-night journey in either direction between Vancouver and Toronto, with one allowed multinight stopover. Cost is $866 per person plus tax, when purchased at least three days in advance, and includes all onboard meals. Tickets must be purchased by Dec. 11 for travel through Jan. 6. Visit www.viarail.ca.

WALL STREET JOURNAL

AIRLINE UPDATE

United rewinds fee

United Airlines recently announced that it's dropping its plan to increase the price of a second checked bag to $50. The price will remain $25. Although the first checked bag will still cost $15, customers can get a 20 percent discount on the first checked bag by paying for it online until Jan. 31.

WASHINGTON POST

INSPIRED TRAVEL

Australia in the spotlight

The film camera sweeps across the landscape, taking in flat plains, gushing waterfalls and a dusty country town. The color is brilliant, the emptiness palpable and the soundtrack soars. This is "Australia," the new movie by director Baz Luhrmann. The romantic epic, which opens Wednesday, has already been hailed for its cinematography and its pairing of Australian film stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. But tourism promoters claim the real star of the movie is the country itself. Tourism Australia, the national tourism board, has launched a $26 million international advertising campaign based on the movie, highlighting the wilderness of Western Australia state.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ESCAPE ARTISTS

Increasing airspace

President Bush will open up military airspace for commercial aircraft during the busy Thanksgiving weekend in an effort to ease flying. Last year, two lanes were open on the congested East Coast. This year, the Midwest, Southwest and West Coast regions will also benefit from the possibility of more airspace. To read more about holiday travel, go to www.startribune.com/escapeartists.

KERRI WESTENBERG

SIDEROADS

Red Wing B&B tour

Holiday cheer and decorations will fill five bed-and-breakfasts during the eighth annual Bed and Breakfast Holiday Open House and Tour Dec. 7 in Red Wing. The Pratt-Taber, the Candlelight Inn, the Golden Lantern Inn, the Round Barn Farm Bed and Breakfast and Bread and the Moondance Inn, all in the city's Historic District, will open their doors to visitors from 3 to 6 p.m. for a leisurely stroll and light refreshments. Proceeds from the event will benefit Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. (1-800-498-3444; www.redwing.org).

COLLEEN A. COLES