THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON. D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Michael E. Capuano 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington. DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Capuano: 

September 21. 20 I 0 

Thank you for your letter. cosigned by your congressional colleagues. expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8. 2010, notice of propos cd rulemaking 

covering baggage lees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

issues. 

Among the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers ft.)r any fce charged to transport a bag if that 

bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

In addition. the Department is seeking comment on the possibility of requiring advertising to 

include the price of typical baggage tees in ticket prices, and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as well. We also are seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure of these baggage and other fees to consumers, including disclosure on Web sites. We 

<lsk whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

all ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this rulcmaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now cJoses on September 23, 2010. 

A similar letter has been sent to each of the cosigners of the leuer. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings, a copy of your letter and this response 

will be placed in our rulemaking docket. For your rc1crencc, the docket number is 

DOT -OST -20 I 0-0 140. 

(f I can provide additional information 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON. D.C. 20590 

The Honomble Betty McCollum 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington. DC 20515 

Dear Congresswoman McCollum: 

September 21 , 20 I 0 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8, 2010, notice of proposed rulcmaking 

covering baggage fees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

Issues. 

Among the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed ru1emaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers tor any fee charged to transport a bag if that 

bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

In addition, the Department is seeking comment on the possibility of requiring advertising to 

include the price of typical baggage lees in ticket prices, and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as welL We also are seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure of these baggage and other fees to consumers, including disclosure on Web sites. We 

ask whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

all ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this rulemaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now closes on September 23,2010. 

A similar letter has been sent to each of the cosigners of the letter. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings, a copy of your letter and this response 

will be placed in our rulemaking docket. For your reference, the docket number is 

DOT -OST -2010-0140. 

If I can provide additional' 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON. D.C. 20590 

TIle Honorable Laura Richardson 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington. DC 20515 

Dear Congresswoman Richardson: 

Septemner 21. 2010 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8, 2010. notice of proposed rulemaking 

covering baggage fees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

Issues. 

Among the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers for any fee charged to trdflsport a bag if that 

bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

In addition, the Department is seeking comment on the possibility of requiring advertising to 

include the price of typical baggage fees in ticket prices, and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as well. We also are seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure of these baggage and other fees to consumers. including disclosure on Web sites. We 

ask whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

all ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this rulemaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now closes on September 23, 2010. 

A similar letter has been sent to each of the cosigners of the letter. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings. a copy of your letter and this response 

will be placed in our rulemaking docket. For your reference, the docket number is 

DOT -OST-20 I 0-0140. 

If I can provide additional information or assi. cc, please feel frce to call me. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Raul M. Grijalva 

U.S. I·louse of Reprcsentatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Grijalva: 

September 21, 2010 

Thank you for your letter. cosigned by your congressional colleagues, expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8, 2010, notice of proposed rulemaking 

covering baggage fees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

Issues. 

Among the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers for any fee charged to transport a bag if that 

bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

In addition, the Department is seeking comment on the possibility of requiring advertising to 

include the price of typical baggage fees in ticket prices, and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as well. We also are seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure of these baggage and other fees to consumers, including disclosure on Web sites. We 

ask whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

all ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this rulemaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now closes on September 23,2010. 

A similar letter has been sent to each of the cosigners of the letter. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings, a copy of your letter and this response 

wiII be placed in our rulemaking docket. For your reference, the docket number is 

DOT-OST-201 0-0 t 40. 

IfI can provide additional informatio 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Gwen Moore 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congresswoman Moore: 

September 21. 20 I 0 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8, 2010, notice of proposed rulemaking 

covering baggage fees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

issues. 

Among the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers for any fee charged to transport a bag if that 

bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

In addition, the Department is seeking comment on the possibility of requiring advertising to 

include the price of typical baggage fees in ticket prices, and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as well. We also are seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure of these baggage and other fees to consumers, including disclosure on Web sites. We 

ask whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

all ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this rulemaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now closes on September 23, 20] O. 

A similar letter has been sent 10 each of the cosigners of the letter. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings, a copy of your letter and this response 

will be placed in our rulemaking docket. For your reference, the docket number is 

DOT-OST-201O-0I40. 

If I can provide additional information or assistanc 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Heath Shuler 

U.s. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Shuler: 

September 21. 20 I 0 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8. 2010, notice of proposed rulemaking 

covering baggage fees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

issues. 

Among the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers tor any fee charged to transport a bag if that 

bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

In addition, the Department is seeking comment on the possibility of requiring advertising to 

include the price of typical baggage fees in ticket prices, and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as well. We also arc seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure of these baggage and other fees to consumers, including disclosure on Web sites. We 

ask whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

all ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this rulemaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now closes on September 23,2010. 

A similar letter has been sent to each of the cosigners of the letter. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings, a copy of your lettcr and this response 

will be placed in our rulemaking docket. For your refercnce. the docket number is 

DOT -OST -2010-0140. 

I fI can provide additional i 11 ronnati 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON. D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Gary C. Peters 

U.S. I-louse of Representatives 

Washington. DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Peters: 

September 2 I . 20 I 0 

Thank you for your letter. cosigned by your congressional colleagues. expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8. 20 I 0, notice of proposed rulemaking 

covering baggage fees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

issues. 

Among the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers for any fee charged to transport a bag if that 

bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

In addition. the Department is seeking comment on the possibility of requiring advertising to 

include the price of typical baggage fees in ticket prices, and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as well. We also are seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure ofthese baggage and other fees to consumers, including disclosure on Web sites. We 

ask whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

all ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this rulcmaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now closes on September 23,2010. 

A similar letter has been sent to each of the cosigners of the letter. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings, a copy of your letter and this response 

will be placed in our rulemaking docket. For your reference, the docket number is 

DOT-OST -2010-0140. 

If I can provide additional informatio 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

September 21, 2010 

The Honorable Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington. DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Sablan: 

Thank you for your letter, cosigncd by your congressional colleagues, expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8, 2010, notice of proposed rulemaking 

covering baggage fees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

issues. 

Among the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers lor any fee charged to transport a bag if that 

bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

In addition. the Department is seeking comment on the possibility of requiring advertising to 

include the price of typical baggage fees in ticket prices, and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as well. We also are seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure of these baggage and other fees to consumers, including disclosure on Web sites. We 

ask whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

all ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this rulemaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now closes on September 23, 2010. 

A similar letter has been sent to each of the cosigners of the letter. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings, a copy of your Ictter and this response 

will be placed in our rulemuking docket. For your reference, the docket number is 

DOT-OST -20 I 0-0140. 

In can provide additional informatio please feel free to call me. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON. D.C, 20590 

The Honorable Gerald E. Connolly 

U.S. House of Representatives 

\V ashington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Connolly: 

September 21. 20 I 0 

'Ibank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8. 2010. notice of proposed rulemaking 

covering baggage fees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

issues. 

Among the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers for any fee charged to transport a bag if that 

bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

In addition, the Department is seeking comment on the possibility of requiring advertising to 

include the price of typical haggage fees in ticket prices, and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as well. We also are seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure of these baggage and other fees to consumers. including disclosure on Web sites. We 

ask whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

aJl ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this rulemaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now closes on September 23.2010. 

A similar letter has been sent to each of the cosigners of the Jetter. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings. a copy of your letter and this response 

will be placed in our rulcmaking docket. For your reference. the docket number is 

DOT -OST -2010-0140. 

If I can provide additional infornlation or as .. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington. DC 20515 

Dear Congresswoman Maloney: 

September 21. 20 J 0 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8, 2010, notice of proposed rulcmaking 

covering baggage fees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

Issues. 

Among the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers for any fee charged to transport a bag if that 

bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

In addition, the Department is seeking comment on the possibility of requiring advertising to 

include the price of typical baggage fees in ticket prices, and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as well. We also are seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure of these baggage and other fees to consumers, including disclosure on Web sites. We 

ask whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

all ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this rulemaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now closes on September 23,2010. 

A similar letter has been sent to each of the cosigners of the letter. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings, a copy of your letter and this response 

will be placed in our rulcmaking docket. For your retcrcncc, the docket number is 

DOT -OST -20 I 0-0 140. 

If I can provide additional informal' 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The HonorabJe Jerrold Nadler 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Nadler: 

September 21. 20 I 0 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8, 2010, notice of proposed rulemaking 

covering baggage fees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

issues. 

Among the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers for any fee charged to transport a bag if that 

bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

In addition, the Department is seeking comment on the possibility of requiring advertising to 

include the price oftypicaJ baggage fees in ticket prices, and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as well. We also are seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure of these baggage and other fees to consumers, including disclosure on Web sites. We 

ask whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

all ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this rulemaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now closes on September 23, 20 I O. 

A similar letter has been sent to each of the cosigners of the letter. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings, a copy of your letter and this response 

will be placed in our ruJemaking docket. For your reference, the docket number is 

DOT-OST-2010-0140. 

If I can provide additional inforrnaf 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON. D.C. 20590 

September 21. 20 I 0 

The Honorable c.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington. DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Ruppersberger: 

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8. 2010. notice of proposed rulemaking 

covering baggage fees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

issues. 

Among the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers for any fee charged to transport a bug if that 

bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

rn addition, the Department is seeking comment on the possibility of requiring advertising to 

include the price of typical baggage fees in ticket prices. and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as well. We also are seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure of these baggage and other fees to consumers. including disclosure on Web sites. We 

ask whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

all ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this rulemaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now closes on September 23, 20 I O. 

A similar letter has been sent to each of the cosigners of the letter. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings, a copy of your letter and this response 

will be placed in our rulcmaking docket. For your reference. the docket number is 

DOT -OST -2010-0140. 

[1'1 can provide additional infbrmati lease feel free to call me. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Bart Stupak 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Stupak: 

September 21. 20 I 0 

Thank you for your leller. cosigned by your congressional colleagues, expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8,2010, notice of proposed rulemaking 

covering baggage fees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

issues. 

Among the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers for any fee charged to transport a bag if that 

bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

In addition. the Department is seeking comment on the possibil ity of requiring advertising to 

include the price of typical baggage tees in ticket prices, and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as well. We also are seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure ofthese baggage and other fees to consumers, including disclosure on Web sites. We 

ask whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

all ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this ruJemaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now closes on September 23: 20 I O. 

A similar letter has been sent to each of the cosigners of the letter. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings, a copy of your letter and this response 

will be placed in our rulemaking docket. For your reference. the docket number is 

DOT -OST -2010-0140. 

If [ can provide additional information or assistance, please teel free to call me. 
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

September 21. 20 10 

The Honorable Chellie Pingree 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congresswoman Pingree: 

'111ank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, expressing your views 

about the U.S. Department of Transportation's June 8, 2010. notice of proposed rulemaking 

covering baggage fees charged by air carriers as well as several other consumer protection 

issues. 

,\mong the issues covered by the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking is whether 

carriers should be required to reimburse passengers for any fee charged to transport a bag if that 

bag is [ost or not delivered in a timely manner. 

In addition. the Department is seeking comment on the possibility of requiring advertising to 

include the price of typical baggage lees in ticket prices, and whether the baggage-free cost 

should be required as well. We also are seeking comment on various alternatives regarding the 

disclosure of these baggage and other fees to consumers, including disclosure on Web sites. We 

ask whether the disclosure provisions should apply not only to carriers but to their agents or to 

all ticket agents. I note that the comment period on this rulemaking was recently extended by 45 

days and now closes on September 23, 20) O. 

A similar letter has been sent to each of the cosigners of the letter. In accordance with 

Department rules applicable to pending proceedings, a copy of your letter and this response 

will be placed in our mlemaking docket. For your reference, the docket number is 

DOT-OST -2010-0140. 

If I can provide additional information or assistanc • se feci free to call me. 
@Ullgrrs5 uf il1£ 1ilnitrl\ states 

mn5i!illgtOlt. D<C 2Ll513 

Secretary Ray LaHood 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

July 30, 2010 

S 10- 1 ()()X03-0 l-t 

We arc writing in support ofyollr Noticed of Proposed Rulcmaking from June 8, 2010, proposing 

enhanced airline passenger protections and to eneoura~e the inclusion of a requirement that airlines 

refund baggage fees when luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged. We also ask that you require airlines, 

travel agents, and (ravel wcbsites (0 include the cost of luggage when providing a fare quote. 

We are all aware that baggage fees, which began as small add-ons at a few airlines. have rapidly spread 

and increased in price. They have become a fact oflifc for millions of American travelers. While 

airlines argue that the fees are a necessary way to recover the costs of the services they provide, more 

should be done to make the fees fairer for passengers. We introduced, H.R. 5384, the Baggage Fee 

Faimess Act shortly before you published your rule to even the playing field for passengers. and were 

very happy that you requested comments on ideas very similar to those contained within our 

legislation. 

As you finalize the 111le we urge you to require airlines to refund the baggage fcc if luggage is lost, 

damaged. or delayed. Some airlines will currently take this step but otten require a great deal of effort 

trom passengers, and some airlines simply refuse to refund baggage fees. We need a clear national 

policy on baggage fcc refunds. Secondly, we urge you to make it easier for travelers to comparison 

shop by requiring inclusion of baggage fees when getting a quote over the phone or online. either 

through online comparison sites or through the carrier's own website. While your Department docs 

cum:ntly have rules requiring baggage fee disclosure, we urge you to take those rules one step further 

by allowing a passenger to indicate whether they will be checking bags and including those fees in a 

farc quote. 

Thank you for your consideratioll. We look forward to working with you to include these ideas in your 

rule. 

Sincerely, 

/?,d<..! £ ('~ Michael E. Capuano 

Member of Congress 
Secretary Ray LaHood 

July 30, 2010 

Page 2 

S I (I-I OOX03-() 14 

>lLt:\Eow- c=----~ress -....J 

7//'L/ -: - - ivlember of Congress 

~~et~ Member of Congress ~ 

Member U~~ of Congress 
List of Signers 

MtichaelE.Capuano 

Bart Stupak 

Betty McCollum 

C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger 

Carolyn Maloney 

Chellie Pingree 

Gary C. Peters 

Gerald E. Connolly 

Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan 

Gwen Moore 

Heath Shuler 

Jerrold Nadler 

Laura Richardson 

Raul M. Grijalva 

S 1 0-1 ()()X()~-() 1-1