Charlie Leocha, Chairman, Travelers United, speaks with CBS News about the sad state of passenger benefits as airline profits soar. In the interview that found its way on to the cutting room floor, he noted that frequent flier programs have been tightened, space for passengers has been reduced, change and cancellation fees have been increased, and more and more money is being collected for ancillary fees. Where are the benefits for the everyday passengers? It seems that all the profits are going to share buy-backs, dividends, and better first class and business seats. The coach passengers are getting less space and less service for more airfares and more fees.
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
