ASTA wants answers now on liquid law

Last week, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) sent a letter to Cynthia L. Quarterman, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) requesting that the PHMSA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) answer industry stakeholders’ unanswered questions regarding PHMSA’s pending Hazardous Materials Notification rule.

This rule prohibits carriers, and their agents, from completing a ticket purchase until the purchaser affirmatively indicates that he/she understands the restrictions on hazardous materials in baggage.

In a statement released to the press this week, ASTA’s president and interim CEO, Nina Meyer said:

"The January 1, 2013 deadline is fast approaching and the industry has received no guidance from either the FAA or the PHMSA, and there remain many unanswered questions. While the regulation may seem simple to the FAA and the PHMSA, it presents huge economic burdens (estimated at $24 million start-up plus $27 million annually) and process issues for the travel agency industry, which is why it is so important that the industry’s concerns be addressed immediately. Alternatively, if more time is needed, an extension should be communicated to the industry."

ASTA says that its unanswered questions to PHMSA Administrator Quarterman include, but are not limited to:

• Does the rule apply to corporate/government transactions (B2B), consumer bookings (B2C) or both?
• What is the scope of the rule? Does it apply to flights sold by travel agents outside the US for travel to/within the US? Does the rule apply to flights with only a stopover in the US?
• With oral disclosure, what is the suggested oral disclosure script and what should be asked when obtaining the required "acknowledgement?" Is ASTA’s proposed oral script acceptable?
• Can a concession be made for road warriors (repeat travelers), such as by having the customer sign or electronically accept an acknowledgement form so that the disclosure does not need to be made with every transactions?
• Are the GDSs required to inhibit ticketing until the travel agent affirms that the acknowledgement has been collected? Are the GDSs prepared to meet the January 1, 2013 deadline?

ASTA has already sent its members an alert outlining travel agents’ compliance obligation as understood by the agency after meeting with the FAA and the PHMSA on August 16.  ASTA says it will keep members and the press informed on any new information as it becomes available.

Source: ASTA