Finally someone is stepping in to prevent US airlines from enticing travelers with cheap airplane tickets and cheap discount travel packages yet refusing to take action regarding unreasonably long tarmac delays. The DOT (Department of Transportation) issued a rule on Monday that prohibits US airlines flying domestic routes from keeping passengers on a tarmac more than three hours.
There have been cases in the past where travelers have been left in a plane sitting on a tarmac for as long as 9 hours, without the plane being serviced, and with food running out and toilets overflowing.
The only exceptions to the three hour rule would be if there were safety or security concerns, or if the air traffic controllers told a pilot that returning to the terminal would disrupt airport operations.
US Airlines are also being told that they must supply sufficient food and water to travelers within two hours of a plane being left waiting on a tarmac.
The airlines are being given 120 days advance notice prior to having to comply with this rule.