Politico - 'Arena Digest: What can be done to make air travel less painful?'

Rep. Mary Fallin (R-Okla.)

Instead of passing a comprehensive reauthorization to support and improve U.S. air travel, Congress has passed more than a dozen extensions of the Federal Aviation Administration law since the last reauthorization expired in 2007. Our current air traffic system is equivalent to driving on a 1940s road system in the sky. Making long-term investments in aviation innovation will simultaneously create jobs, improve the safety and efficiency of air travel and provide incentives for private development. In turn, U.S. airlines will become even stronger competitors globally.

A full reauthorization is necessary to realize the significant improvements that the next-generation air control system will have for air travel. Coupled with a redesign of current airspace, the nation would benefit from greater airspace efficiencies. The stumbling block that remains is how to pay for this significant investment.

A comprehensive reauthorization must also focus on and enhance passenger safety and common-sense passenger protections. As a frequent traveler between Oklahoma and Washington, I understand the frustration of being stuck on the tarmac. We can protect passenger rights without overregulating the industry.

Adie Tomer, research analyst, Brookings Institution

Robert Puentes and I published a report on this topic, and we lay out a set of recommendations at the end. First, we need to really focus our efforts on the areas where most of the air travel occurs. Twenty-six metropolitan hubs accommodate the vast majority of air travel in the United States. Focusing our resources there would get us the most bang for our buck in mitigating congestion and increasing operational efficiency. And targeting these 26 areas would benefit not only them.

For example, if flights from Syracuse, N.Y., to Houston always route through New York, reducing the congestion in New York would benefit Syracuse and Houston as well. Everyone would benefit from focusing on those key congestion spots. I would reinforce that this recommendation is data and research driven.

Another general recommendation â€" which the FAA has already implemented â€" is to bring together all stakeholders to make a five- or 10-year plan on this issue. The stakeholders should include the public sector â€" federal officials and local airport authority leaders â€" and the private sector.

Second, along with giving priority to major metropolitan areas, all the stakeholders should come together at the same table to figure out what the actual investment strategy should be. Private airlines and the government, especially at the federal level, tend to have different perspectives and to approach problems from different angles. Their speaking to one another and knowing what's going on would lead to much more effective policy. The FAA is a proponent of this, which is a really good sign.

Scott Moss, professor, University of Colorado

While I admit I'm a germophobe, I think everyone should share my disgust that on airport security X-ray conveyor belts, the same bins are used for both shoes and other items that really shouldn't share contact with the shoe bottoms of thousands of air travelers. I didn't enjoy putting my kid's teddy bear into a bin that had just held the boots of (let's assume) a manure farmer, a cesspool cleaner, a dog walker who's stepped into innumerable excrement piles and who knows how many other folks who've stepped who knows where.

The next time you get sick after air travel, think about how the bins that exposed your belongings to thousands of shoes are a likely culprit. How hard would it be to have a color-coded system: black bins for shoes, gray bins for everything else?

Rory Cooper, director of strategic communications, Heritage Foundation

Whether it be lost bags, late flights, awkward seatmates or the inexplicable and maddening oversold flight, every flier has a story. Even our dog gets no respect. He's charged $200 to get shoved under a seat and doesn't even get frequent flier miles. But there is a difference between frustrating customer service and problems requiring government intervention.

Southwest Airlines turns a profit by putting an emphasis on professionalism, efficiency, low fares and no fees. If other airlines (looking at you, Spirit) were to do the same, they might, too. But if they don't, the proper recourse is for them to go out of business, not for Capitol Hill to set more industry rules, raise taxes or regulate pricing.

Washington should safeguard public health and safety, ensuring planes are in proper condition, fliers aren't trapped for hours on tarmacs and suspected terrorists don't fly. Lawmakers should ensure Transportation Security Administration operations are consistent in every airport and are sensical rather than reactionary. The hardworking officials of TSA have an important job â€" letting them focus on protecting us from terrorism is essential, and giving them the proper tools is critical. But if the Spirit Airlines experience is horrendous and its ad campaigns tasteless, the free market, not Congress, should close the gate door on the airline.

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.)

Did you have personal flight experiences that led you to sponsor the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act?

I sponsored the bill because I had a constituent who was on the infamous flight from San Francisco that was diverted to Texas and sat on the tarmac for nine hours. I believe they were on the plane for a total of 11 hours, and the passengers did not get any clean water. Toilets weren't functioning. It was an absolute mess.

Have you heard other complaints from constituents about air travel?

I've heard similar complaints.

Did you get pushback from the airlines over the proposals?

I met with American Airlines â€" the airline in question with my constituent. They said they didn't like the mandate, and I don't think any airline liked it. But we had gone down this road before, as we've had similar situations in the past. We were always promised the airlines would improve conditions for passengers in these delays. But they didn't, so we did what we had to.

People shouldn't be inconvenienced like that. They should be able to get off the plane quickly. And in delays, they should have access to clean water and working toilets. That's a no-brainer.