Passenger Bill of Rights Task Force

[Federal Register: February 11, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 28)]
[Notices]
[Page 7785-7788]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11fe08-110]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. DOT-OST-2007-0108]


National Task Force to Develop Model Contingency Plans to Deal
With Lengthy Airline On-Board Ground Delays

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST), Department of Transportation
(DOT).

ACTION: Notice of membership and first meeting of advisory committee.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the membership and the first meeting of
the National Task Force to Develop Model Contingency Plans to Deal with
Lengthy Airline On-Board Ground Delays.

DATES: The first meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for February
26, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES: The first meeting of the Task Force will be held at the U.S.
Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC, in the Oklahoma City Conference Room on the lobby level
of the West Building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT CONCERNING

[[Page 7786]]

THE TASK FORCE:
Livaughn Chapman, Jr., or Kathleen Blank-Riether, Office of the
General Counsel, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Ave., SE., W-96-429, Washington, DC 20590-0001; Phone: (202) 366-9342;
Fax: (202) 366-7152; E-mail:
Livaughn.Chapman@dot.gov, or Kathleen.Blankriether@dot.gov.



SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

DOT's Office of Inspector General recommended, in its audit report,
entitled ``Actions Needed to Minimize Long, On-Board Flight Delays,''
issued on September 25, 2007, that the Secretary of Transportation
establish a national task force of airlines, airports, and the Federal
Aviation Administration to coordinate and develop contingency plans to
deal with lengthy delays, such as working with carriers and airports to
share facilities and make gates available in an emergency.
To effectuate this recommendation, the Department published a
notice of intent to form an advisory committee in the Federal Register
on December 20, 2007 (72 FR 72435). This notice, consistent with the
requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C.
App. 2, announced the establishment of the Task Force and invited
comments, as well as nominations and applications for membership. The
Task Force Charter is attached as Appendix 1.
A total of thirty-four (34) applications/nominations for membership
on the Task Force were submitted to the docket. In selecting the
members of the Task Force, the Department attempted to achieve a
balanced membership representing a broad cross-section of the diverse
agencies, organizations and individuals that represent airlines,
airports, consumer groups and other interested entities in the United
States. We also contacted some organizations that had not submitted an
application for membership by the January 4 deadline, but whose
membership in the Task Force we believed would be beneficial, to
encourage their participation. The Secretary of Transportation has now
named the members of the Task Force, and their names are listed below
as Appendix 2 to this notice. In addition to the Task Force members
named by the Secretary, individuals from the Department of Homeland
Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Office of the
Secretary will participate in the Task Force as non-member
participants.
As noted above, the first meeting of the Task Force will take place
on February 26, 2008. The agenda topics for the first meeting will
include: (1) Orientation about the Federal Advisory Committee Act
procedures and the purpose of the task force; (2) an introduction of
the issues and discussion of contingency plans, and (3) establishment
of working groups. A period of time for public comments, if any, will
also be provided.
The Department anticipates that the Task Force will meet at least
three additional times in 2008. It is anticipated that all meetings
will be held in Washington, DC at the U.S. DOT headquarters building.
The Department will publish notices in the Federal Register to announce
the dates, times, and locations of future meetings. Meetings of the
Task Force are open to the public, and time will be provided for
comments by members of the public. Since access to the U.S. DOT
headquarters building is controlled for security purposes, any member
of the general public who plans to attend the first meeting must notify
the Department contact noted above ten (10) calendar days prior to the
meeting. Attendance will be necessarily limited by the size of the
meeting room.
Members of the public may present written comments at any time and,
at the discretion of the Chairman and time permitting, oral comments at
the meeting. Any oral comments permitted must be limited to agenda
items and will be limited to five (5) minutes per person. Members of
the public who wish to present oral comments must notify the Department
contact noted above via e-mail that they wish to attend and present
oral comments at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the meting. For
this February 20 meeting, no more than one hour will be set aside for
oral comments. Although written material may be filed in the docket at
any time, comments regarding upcoming meeting topics should be sent to
the Task Force docket, (10) calendar days prior to the meeting. Members
of the public may also contact the Department contact noted above to be
placed on the Task Force mailing list.
Persons with a disability requiring special accommodations, such as
an interpreter for the hearing impaired, should contact the Department
contact noted above at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the
meeting.
Notice of this meeting is provided in accordance with the FACA and
the General Services Administration regulations covering management of
Federal advisory committees. (41 CFR part 102-3.)

Conclusion

The First Meeting of the National Task force to Develop Model
Contingency Plans to Deal with Lengthy Airline On-Board Ground Delays
will be held on February 26, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern
Time, at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue,
SE., Washington, DC, in the Oklahoma City Conference Room on the lobby
level of the West Building.

Issued on: February 5, 2008.
Samuel Podberesky,
Assistant General Counsel for Aviation Enforcement & Proceedings, U.S.
Department of Transportation.

Appendix 1--Charter for the National Task Force to Develop Model
Contingency Plans to Deal With Lengthy Airline On-Board Ground Delays

Federal Advisory Committee Charter

National Task Force to Develop Model Contingency Plans to Deal with
Lengthy Airline On-Board Ground Delays

U.S. Department of Transportation
1. Purpose: This charter establishes the National Task Force to
Develop Model Contingency Plans to Deal with Lengthy Airline On-Board
Ground Delays pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as
amended, 5 U.S.C., App. 2, and sets forth policies for its operations.
2. Scope and Objectives:
a. The Task Force will develop model contingency plans for
minimizing the impact of lengthy airline on-board ground delays.
b. The Task Force will be responsible for reviewing incidents
involving long, on-board ground delays and their causes; identifying
trends and patterns of such events; and recommending workable solutions
for mitigating the on-board consumer impact of extraordinary flight
disruptions.
c. The Task Force will report to the Secretary of Transportation
the results of its consideration and a description of model contingency
plans it develops.
d. The Task Force will not exercise program management, regulatory
or program guidance responsibilities. It will make no decision directly
affecting the programs on which it provides advice. The Task Force will
provide a forum for the development, consideration, and communication
from a knowledgeable and independent perspective of a strategy for
dealing with

[[Page 7787]]

lengthy on-board ground delays nationwide.
3. Duties: The Task Force will carry out the following tasks:
a. Develop model contingency plans to deal with lengthy air carrier
on-board delays.
b. Review incidents involving long, on-board ground delays and
their causes; identify trends and patterns of such events; and
recommend workable solutions for mitigating the on-board consumer
impact of extraordinary flight disruptions.
c. Review existing airline and airport contingency plans for
extended tarmac delays for best practices.
d. Report to the Secretary of Transportation the results of its
consideration and a description of the model contingency plans
developed.
4. Duration: The Task Force will remain in existence for 1 year
from the effective date of this charter, unless recommended for
termination or renewal by the Secretary of Transportation.
5. Official to Whom the Task Force Reports: The Task Force will
report to the Secretary of Transportation through the sponsor.
6. Sponsor and Agency Providing Support: The Office of the General
Counsel serves as sponsor of the Task Force and has designated the
Assistant General Counsel for Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings as
the Designated Federal Official and Chairman of the Task Force. The
Sponsor has designated the Federal Aviation Administration's Associate
Administrator for Airports as the Vice Chairman of the Task Force. The
Chairman of the Task Force will direct the affairs of the Task Force
and will provide necessary administrative support, as required by the
Federal Advisory Committee Act. At the request of the Chairman, the
Vice Chairman will perform these duties.
7. Delegation: The Chairman is delegated the authority to require
special reports under 49 U.S.C. 41708 to effectuate the duties of the
Task Force. The Chairman is also delegated the authority to issue
Federal Register notices regarding the workings of the Task Force.
8. Membership:
a. The Task Force will be composed of individuals appointed by the
Secretary of Transportation. Task Force members will be Regular
Government Employees and Representatives of airlines, airports and
consumer groups in the U.S.
b. Nonparticipation by any member in Task Force activities will be
sufficient reason for the appointment of a replacement member by the
Secretary of Transportation.
c. The Task Force will ensure that the public is able to present
its views to the Task Force in accordance with the Federal Advisory
Committee Act.
9. Task Force Officers: The Chairman will conduct each meeting
using generally accepted meeting management techniques, provide an
opportunity for participation by each member and by public attendees,
ensure adherence to the agenda, maintain order, and prepare any
recommendations to be submitted to the Secretary of Transportation. At
the request of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman will perform these
duties.
10. Meetings:
a. Meetings will be held at the call of or with the advance
approval of the Designated Federal Official. The Task Force will meet
approximately 4 times the first year in Washington, DC. Special
meetings and working group meetings may be called as necessary. Notice
of each scheduled meeting will be published in the Federal Register.
b. All meetings will be open to the public. Members of the public
will be permitted to appear before or file statements with the Task
Force. The Designated Federal Official must be present at each Task
Force meeting. The official has the authority to adjourn the meeting
whenever such action is deemed to be in the public interest. A quorum
exists when at least one-half of the appointed members are present. A
quorum must exist for any official action, including voting, to occur.
In any situation involving voting, the majority vote of members present
will prevail. An agenda for each meeting must be approved in advance by
the Designated Federal Official.
11. Compensation: Members of the Task Force are responsible for
their own travel and per diem expenses.
12. Costs: Operating expenses are borne by the Task Force Sponsor.
The estimated annual cost to the government is $20,000 inclusive of
support, report writing, meeting costs, travel, and other logistics.
13. Availability of Records: Pursuant to Section 552 of Title 5,
United States Code, the records, reports, minutes, agenda, and other
documents made available to or by the Task Force will be available for
public inspection and duplication in the Office of the Secretary of
Transportation. A docket will be established for this Task Force to
accomplish this result. To the extent that there is a discussion of
issues concerning on-going rulemaking proceedings during a Task Force
meeting, the minutes of that meeting will be placed in the appropriate
docket.
14. Reports: The Designated Federal Official will furnish detailed
minutes of each meeting to the Sponsor. The minutes contain a record of
the persons present, a complete and accurate description of matters
discussed and conclusions reached, and copies of all reports received,
issued, or approved by the Task Force. The Chairman will certify the
accuracy of the minutes.
15. Working Groups:
a. The Task Force may establish working groups to perform specific
assignments with the approval of the Designated Federal Official. The
Chairman may designate members from either the Task Force or the public
to serve on working groups. Any Working Group Chairman will be a Task
Force member. Recording or videotaping of working group meetings may be
performed only with the Designated Federal Official's approval.
b. Any recommendations to the Department by working groups are
subject to approval by the Task Force as a whole.
16. Filing Date: January 3, 2008 is the filing date and the
effective date of this charter which will expire 1 year from this
filing date, unless sooner terminated or extended.

Appendix 2--Membership of the National Task Force to Develop Model
Contingency Plans to Deal With Lengthy On-Board Ground Delays

Samuel Podberesky, Chairman, Assistant General Counsel for Aviation
Enforcement and Proceedings, U.S. Department of Transportation.
D. Kirk Shaffer, Vice Chairman, Associate Administrator for
Airports, Federal Aviation Administration.
Basil Barimo, Vice President, Operations and Safety, Air Transport
Association.
Brian Bartal, Project Manager, American Eagle Airlines.
Roger Cohen, President, Regional Airline Association.
Michael C. Collins, Disability Rights Advocate.
James M. Crites, Executive Vice President, Operations, Dallas/Fort
Worth International Airport.
Benjamin R. DeCosta, Aviation General Manager, Hartsfield-Jackson
International Airport.
George F. Doughty, Executive Director, Lehigh-Northampton Airport
Authority.
Charles M. Durham, III, Sr. Manager of Dispatch, ExpressJet
Airlines.
Edward P. Faberman, Executive Director, Air Carrier Association of
America.
James J. Gaydos, Director, Airport Services, American Airlines.

[[Page 7788]]

Kate Hanni, Founder/Spokesperson, Coalition for an Airline
Passengers' Bill of Rights.
Steve Hozdulick, Senior Director--Operational Performance,
Southwest Airlines.
Kevin Hudson, Senior Manager, Operational Performance, Tracking and
Reporting, Frontier Airlines.
William R. Lange, Vice President, Safety & Compliance, Compass
Airlines.
Douglas E. Lavin, Regional Vice President, International Air
Transport Association--North America.
Tony Lefebvre, Senior Vice President--Customer Service, Spirit
Airlines.
D. Leo Malloy, Jr., Vice President, Customer Service, Skyway
Airlines/Midwest Connect.
Alex Marren, Vice President, Operational Services, United Airlines.
Deborah C. McElroy, Executive Vice President, Policy and External
Affairs, Airports Council International--North America.
Robert K. Muhs, Vice President, System Operations Control,
Northwest Airlines.
Patrick V. Murphy, Aviation Consultant, representing U.S. Airways.
Capt. Larry Newman, Chairman, Air Traffic Service Group, Air Line
Pilots Association, International.
Bradley, D. Penrod, CEO/Executive Director, Allegheny County
Airport Authority.
Paul. M. Ruden, Senior Vice President, Legal and Industry Affairs,
American Society of Travel Agents.
Daniel Rutenberg, Vice President, International Airline Passengers
Association.
Melissa Sabatine, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, American
Association of Airport Executives.
Leo J. Schefer, President, Washington Airports Task Force.
Lysa C. Scully, Assistant Director, Customer, Cargo, Concessions
and Airport Services, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Jim Tabor, Vice President of Operations, AirTran Airways.
Daniel A. Weiss, Managing Director, International Policy and
Regulatory Affairs, Continental Airlines.
Warren R. Wilkinson, Vice President of Government Affairs and
Corporate Communications, Republic Airways.
William H. Williams, Jr., Aviation Director, North Carolina
Department of Transportation.
Thomas E. Zoeller, President and CEO, National Air Carrier
Association.

[FR Doc. E8-2459 Filed 2-8-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P