Of course, not all the proposed rules would be so costly. Some just seem to be a matter of good customer service. Given that these are the same people who bring us the post office, it's unlikely they have that much experience on good customer service. There is a better way to improve customer service, and that's to increase competition. If you're delayed, bumped, or simply treated rudely, the answer is to go to another airline, not a bureaucrat.
Competition does exist now.
In the past few years, for instance, Southwest Airlines has cut a competitive swath across the country, with its combination of low fares and well-regarded service. Most recently, its expansion into East Coast markets has set the major airlines scrambling to lower prices and increase service. More does need to be done to increase the competitive environment for air travel. Federal rules that artificially limit the number of landing slots at major airports, for instance, should be eliminated. In addition, if policymakers are really serious about reducing passenger delays and inconvenience, they should take a closer look at the parts of the system they themselves control.