Bill Text: NJ AR171 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Memorializes FAA to adopt rules prohibiting airlines from charging baggage fees to military personnel.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-06-27 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee [AR171 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AR171-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblyman HERB CONAWAY, JR.
District 7 (Burlington and Camden)
Assemblyman JACK CONNERS
District 7 (Burlington and Camden)
Assemblywoman CLEOPATRA G. TUCKER
District 28 (Essex)
SYNOPSIS
Memorializes FAA to adopt rules prohibiting airlines from charging baggage fees to military personnel.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution memorializing the Federal Aviation Administration to adopt rules prohibiting airline carriers from charging baggage fees to military personnel.
Whereas, Many brave citizens of this country honorably serve in the Armed Forces of the United States; and
Whereas, Members of the military endure hardships and long separations from family and friends, and confront life-threatening dangers to defend our nation and the values for which it stands; and
Whereas, In recent weeks, soldiers returning home from active duty in Afghanistan incurred excessive baggage fees charged by the airline carrier on which they were traveling; and
Whereas, Members of an U.S. Army squadron returning to Ft. Polk, Louisiana from Afghanistan were charged $200 for their fourth checked bag, even though their military orders allow them to check four bags; and
Whereas, The 34 member squadron was charged more than $2800 in bag fees by Delta Airlines; and
Whereas, These soldiers, like many other members of the Armed Forces traveling under military orders, were required to travel with tools and gear to be used during their deployment; and
Whereas, A growing number of commercial airlines now impose fees on many services which they once provided at no cost to customers, including checking luggage, and have been increasing fees on other services, such as on the checking of overweight and oversized bags; and
Whereas, The United States Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that in 2010, airline carriers in the United States collected $3.4 billion in baggage fees, up 24% from the $2.7 billion in baggage fees the airlines collected in 2009; and
Whereas, The Federal Aviation Administration should promptly provide protections for military personnel and adopt rules prohibiting airline carriers from charging baggage fees to military personnel; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House memorializes the Federal Aviation Administration to promptly adopt rules prohibiting airline carriers from charging baggage fees to military personnel.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested to by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and each member of the United States Congress elected from this State.
3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This Assembly resolution memorializes the Federal Aviation Administration to provide protections for military personnel and adopt rules prohibiting airline carriers from charging baggage fees to military personnel.
Recently, soldiers returning home from active duty in Afghanistan incurred excessive baggage fees charged by the airline on which they were traveling. These soldiers, like many other members of the Armed Forces, were traveling under military orders and were required to travel with tools and gear to be used during their deployment.
