A couple of senators are trying to get some action on the tarmac delays, asking the DOT to actually impose fines on airlines (to date, no airline has been fined even though there have been delays, which is not a shock, there are way too many loopholes in the rules), and explain why there have not been any fines yet.

From their press release

Nov 11,2011 - Boxer, Snowe Urge DOT to Enforce New Rules on Tarmac Delays

Recent 7-Hour Tarmac Stranding Highlights Need to Enforce Penalties Under DOT Rules

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) sent a letter urging the Department of Transportation (DOT) to diligently enforce the agency’s rules on tarmac delays, which include fines against airlines that violate regulations on extended tarmac delays.

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In the letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Senators Boxer and Snowe wrote, “While the rule has been successful at reducing these incidents so far, it is troubling that even though there have been several cases in which extended tarmac delays have occurred, so far no fines have been levied against airlines that have violated the rule. In circumstances where the airline was in fact the cause of an extended tarmac delay we are concerned that if the rule is not enforced, we risk having more incidents such as the recent extended tarmac delays.”

The Senators asked the agency to provide updated information on other incidents where violations may have occurred. Senators Boxer and Snowe also pointed out that their legislation includes a key consumer protection the rule does not – a requirement that airports have contingency plans in place to prevent extended tarmac delays – and asked the DOT to review whether this requirement could have helped the stranded passengers on Jet Blue Flight 504.