What is 'AIRMAGEDDON'? Flailing Pete Buttigieg slammed by Dems as air travel descends into chaos
As travel chaos continued through the Fourth of July weekend, leading figures in Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's own party slammed him or failing to stop the 'airmageddon' flight hell. Over the last few days, the US prepared for what many are referring to as 'airmageddon', with travelers bracing for a possible meltdown at airlines, airports and security and customs checkpoints, and also hotels and hotel services. During the busiest holiday weekend since the coronavirus pandemic began, over 312 flights were canceled and 4,378 were delayed by Sunday evening, July 3.
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna of California both urged Buttigieg to take action ahead of the holiday weekend, letters sent out by them last week revealed. Sanders demanded that airlines be required to refund passengers for flights delayed more than an hour. Sanders also demanded that airlines impose fines of a rate of $55,000 per passenger for flights that are delayed for more than two hours, and fines for airlines that cannot "properly staff" scheduled flights.
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However, as travel chaos took a horrid turn over the weekend, Sanders took to social media to blast Buttigieg. "The airlines got $54 billion in taxpayer money. They said thanks by jacking up ticket prices 45% & stranding passengers at crowded airports. Enough. It's time for the Transportation Department to impose massive fines on poor-performing airlines & full refunds for long delays," Sanders wrote on Twitter.
The airlines got $54 billion in taxpayer money. They said thanks by jacking up ticket prices 45% & stranding passengers at crowded airports. Enough. It's time for the Transportation Department to impose massive fines on poor-performing airlines & full refunds for long delays.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 3, 2022
United Airlines canceled 55 flights and delayed 314 by Sunday evening, July 3. Delta canceled 53 flights and delayed 433, American Airlines canceled 29 and delayed 533, and JetBlue canceled just six and delayed 270.
Sanders called for action from Buttigieg ahead of the holiday weekend, asking his supporters in an email to urge President Joe Biden's administration to "take action to reduce flight cancellations and delays", according to the Daily Mail. "All over this country, airline passengers are growing increasingly frustrated by the massive increase in flight delays, cancellations, and outrageously high prices they are forced to pay for tickets, checked bags and other fees," Sanders wrote. "Thousands of flight disruptions have left passengers and crew members stranded at crowded airports from one end of the country to the other forcing them to miss weddings, funerals, and business meetings and ruining family vacations that have been planned for months in advance."
Rep. Khanna, who serves on the House Oversight Committee and is deputy whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, also wrote to Buttigieg. "The Department's incremental response so far has been lacking the urgency, imagination, and boldness to meet the moment and needs of the American people," he wrote.
Khanna told The American Prospect, "Buttigieg needs to make clear that he has the authority to go after the airlines for unfair and deceptive practices. He needs to lay out a framework for what the consequences will be for canceled flights, understaffing, and misrepresentations to passengers."
Meanwhile, in a series of tweets, Buttigieg asked Americans to claim compensation over the canceled flights. "Sometimes an airline will offer you points or miles as compensation, but you are entitled to a cash refund when your flight is canceled. When deciding whether to accept miles, it’s helpful to know their value, which varies, but often is estimated at 1 to 1.5 cents per mile," he wrote in a tweet. "For example, my connecting flight got canceled last night. At first, the airline offered 2500 miles, which I estimate is worth about 30 bucks. But I claimed the refund for the canceled portion instead, and it worked out to be $112.07," he added another. A separate tweet in the thread reads, "Airlines offer miles as compensation for some travel issues, and you can often negotiate on this. That’s between you and the airline. But you are entitled to cash refunds for canceled flights - that’s a requirement that we will continue to enforce."
Sometimes an airline will offer you points or miles as compensation, but you are entitled to a cash refund when your flight is canceled.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) July 2, 2022
When deciding whether to accept miles, it’s helpful to know their value, which varies, but often is estimated at 1 to 1.5 cents per mile.
For example, my connecting flight got canceled last night. At first, the airline offered 2500 miles, which I estimate is worth about 30 bucks.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) July 2, 2022
But I claimed the refund for the canceled portion instead, and it worked out to be $112.07.
Airlines offer miles as compensation for some travel issues, and you can often negotiate on this. That’s between you and the airline.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) July 2, 2022
But you are entitled to cash refunds for canceled flights - that’s a requirement that we will continue to enforce.
Earlier this month, Buttigieg had said that airlines will have to figure out and resolve the issues by July 4, so that travelers can have a smooth holiday. When the head of the trade group Airlines for America blamed the FAA for delays, Buttigieg said, "The majority of cancellations and the majority of delays have nothing to do with air traffic control staffing." However, amid the chaos, many have demanded that Buttigieg do something worthwhile rather than give out advice on how to get compensation.