Once the media frenzy dies down, the odds are Continental is simply going to go back to doing things the way they’ve always done things, and nothing will improve.
There are two ways to potentially prevent that from happening: (1) get the media to stay on the case; (2) get the government involved.
I’m hoping that at least some media outlets will continue to follow this story. A reporter for the Houston Chronicle assured me that as the home of Continental’s headquarters, Houston is very interested in this story, and as a parent, she is as well, so she’s going to keep following up to find out the results of Continental’s “investigation” into the incidents and what steps they are taking to prevent recurrences. We’ll see if she follows through.
I’ve just placed a phone call to Senator John Kerry’s Boston office. I am one of Sen. Kerry’s constituents, and he is a member of the Committee on Commercie, Science & Transportation, so he’s a good start in my efforts to catalyze real change in this area.
I spoke to a staffer in his Boston office and told her that I am hoping to enlist Sen. Kerry’s help in accomplishing the following:
- Ensure that the incidents over the weekend were reported by Continental to the appropriate governmental agencies as required by law.
- Ensure that those agencies conduct investigations into the incidents, and take appropriate enforcement action, e.g.:
- levy fines,
- compel Continental to change their policies to prevent recurrences, and/or
- do whatever else is in their power to motivate and/or compel Continental to improve.
- Evaluate whether it is necessary and appropriate to add to or modify existing regulations to prevent recurrences of such incidents.
- If so, drive the necessary changes through Congress.
The staffer with whom I spoke said she was certainly interested in pursuing this and would get back to me soon.
We’ll see. 🙂
I wouldn’t let it bother you. Posters like Enrique seem to think that having a difference of opinion in whether he would let his children fly unaccompanied gives him the right to judge others parenting skills.
It seems weird that the culture of America is to point out how big business is a problem, yet whenever they come under fire, many average citizens tend to side with these corporations and dismiss the civilian as a raving money hungry loony. Which does happen, but shouldn’t be assumed outright each time!
The only reason I left the comment above intact is to give people a taste of the kind of idiots that are crawling out of the woodwork and posting comments on my blog. Believe me when I say that I’ve removed a ton of comments for people who seem to think it’s perfectly OK to form an ironclad opinion based on facts which are completely wrong.
My daughter isn’t 8. Her flight was non-stop. I have no intention of suing anyone. All of these facts are easily available to anyone who takes the time to actually find them.
I am happy to discuss my point of view with people who are respectful and whose opinions are based on the correct facts. However, if you’re wrong or rude, your comment just isn’t going to be published, so don’t bother.
Sorry, I just read the story today. I’m sorry, but you failed your own kid as a parent. Sticking an 8 year old on a flight that involved connections? Continental is an airline, not a parental guardian. Step-up and be a parent. Don’t be so cheap next time. Flights are cheap right now, so do the right thing and accompnay your kid. You’re just angling for a lawsuit, so get off your soapbox.