Photo courtesy of David Zalubowski ( AP ).We accept the intractable hardships of travel: toilet seat piss, other persons, $15 snacks and nicotine withdrawal, simmering class hostilities, TSA officers probing inner thighs, feeling like a criminal, etc. One indignity might be over: The Associated Press reports the Department of Transportation (DOT), is looking at requiring airlines to reimburse customers for checked baggage fees if their luggage does not arrive within a reasonable time.AdvertisementThis could be a way to get your clothes back from the giants who have been known to hold us hostage for so long that we are unable to resist the urge to go to the airport or listen to the hold music.Reuters confirmed the news of the DOTs plan, quoting White House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, who said it was part of President Joe Biden's plan to increase competition in the market in order to lower prices. Deese also stated that Biden would soon release his plan.Airlines will refund passengers if they do not receive their baggage within 12 hours after arriving on a domestic flight, and 25 hours on an International flight.Airlines profit margins are slashed by exorbitant baggage fees. According to the Department of Transportation in 2019, all U.S. airlines made $5.7 billion in checked baggage fees. Overall net income was $14.7 million that year. They made $2.8 billion in baggage fees in 2020 but lost $35 billion. American Airlines was the biggest winner with $274 million in baggage fees last year, followed by United Airlines and Delta Airlines which each earned around $200 million.The AP reports that another brilliant proposal is to make airlines refund passengers who paid for faulty wifi service.Gizmodo's request for confirmation from the Department of Transportation regarding potential baggage and wifi proposals has not been answered. Gizmodo also hasn't been informed whether Amtrak plans are in place.
