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Supreme Court Tosses Lawsuit by Disgruntled Frequent Flier

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Supreme Court Tosses Lawsuit by Disgruntled Frequent Flier

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Old Apr 4, 2014, 9:49 am
  #241  
 
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Supreme Court Tosses Lawsuit by Disgruntled Frequent Flier

the guy needs to see a therapist and learn to let go of crap. I can't believe he took it this far. any reasonable person could see that it was an abuse of benefits and take their lumps. DL had to finish it because he wouldn't let it go
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Old Apr 4, 2014, 10:01 am
  #242  
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Originally Posted by exwannabe
Over the years on this (and other FF boards), many real and armchair lawyers have argued that much of the airlines COC do not matter as they violate (state) common law.

For better or worse, this is now clear. Your "contract" with DL (or any airline) now stands even if the terms and/or execution go against anything you might assume would restrict such contracts.

So now, many common sense protections established through centuries of Judicial ruling can no longer be used against the airlines on this matter.

I actually agree with the SCOTUS, but am not happy about the result.
Not true. This ruling only pertains to claims made on a basis preempted by the ADA. The terms of a contract with DL (or anyone) cannot "go against anything you might assume would restrict such contracts." For example if a contract provision is illegal it is unenforceable.
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Old Apr 4, 2014, 10:05 am
  #243  
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Originally Posted by Janus777
Ha ha, so read the whole thread and even the links to other threads, and even read the entire SCOTUS ruling..

Please oh please, where is Ptravel now....how about a big slice of humble pie to wash down that big yummy plate of crow!

HongKonger, my next Woodford I will tilt slightly in your direction...heh heh heh..

Of course in my mind I have this sick fantasy of HongKonger actually being on the Supreme Court and we just didn't know it!

And yes this was my first post after years of lurking this thread finally moved me to post! Have to say Karma is a **tch! Heh heh hee!
Not sure what you are trying to say here? Nothing I've ever said on this issue has been rendered incorrect by the SCotUS ruling. This ruling did not make it impossible to sue an airline. It only made it impossible to sue an airline using a legal foundation that has been preempted by the ADA. The ruling even stated that the rabbi could have continue to pursue a breach of contract claim, and that its ruling did not prevent such claims.
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Old Apr 4, 2014, 11:34 am
  #244  
 
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Originally Posted by HongKonger
Not true. This ruling only pertains to claims made on a basis preempted by the ADA. The terms of a contract with DL (or anyone) cannot "go against anything you might assume would restrict such contracts." For example if a contract provision is illegal it is unenforceable.
But the preempted claims includes anything based on state law or state common law. AFAIK, federal common law is fairly limited, and there are only a few federal protections that come in play (outside of DOT airline regs).

The airline clearly can impose a contract provision that is illegal, as long as it is only illegal under state, not federal, law.
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Old Apr 4, 2014, 1:00 pm
  #245  
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Originally Posted by exwannabe
But the preempted claims includes anything based on state law or state common law. AFAIK, federal common law is fairly limited, and there are only a few federal protections that come in play (outside of DOT airline regs).

The airline clearly can impose a contract provision that is illegal, as long as it is only illegal under state, not federal, law.
I wouldn't be so sure about all of that. And there is also no reason to assume that FFP operators' international legal exposure is zilch -- it isn't.
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Old Apr 4, 2014, 1:31 pm
  #246  
 
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Originally Posted by sethb
It is quite common that Congress has no idea what a law it passed means or does.
Possibly true, but irrelevant. And if true, we should elect better politicians.

Originally Posted by Xero
I have to say I am disappointed with the ruling. Essentially now any company can hide behind the ToS of dropping a customer and taking away their FF miles for "no reason at all".

Contracts are becoming more standardized and "take it or leave it". The supreme court has weakened consumer protection, even if it is almost nonexistent. With only 4 major airlines left, it is not like consumers have that much choice.

Also, were his complaints legit? He could have had a lot of "bad luck", getting the flights that get delayed, have late baggage, etc. Northwest could have said he won't get any compensation for 1 year. That would be a reasonable way of handling it.

Something definitely needs to change.
There's always the DOT...
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Old Apr 4, 2014, 1:34 pm
  #247  
 
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Originally Posted by exwannabe
But the preempted claims includes anything based on state law or state common law. AFAIK, federal common law is fairly limited, and there are only a few federal protections that come in play (outside of DOT airline regs).

The airline clearly can impose a contract provision that is illegal, as long as it is only illegal under state, not federal, law.
This is only sort of true. Federal common law doesn't exist, but the ADA didn't preempt all state common law just the parts that can be understood to regulate airfares. So, if they put in a provision by which you agreed to commit murder for hire or sell your organs, or anything illegal for example, it would be unenforceable.
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Old Apr 4, 2014, 2:29 pm
  #248  
 
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Originally Posted by BusTrav8yrs
Here's an observation:

After a couple of times complaining and getting compesnation the rabbi saw opportunity and try to get compensation at any opportunity he could regardless of whether justified until NW had enough.

Now he is trying to stick it to them one more time and get the final payoff. The sad this is there is no real way to prove that intent and he will probably get something.
This^. Must have had a lot of time on his hands to constantly book full flights trying to get bumped.
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Old Apr 4, 2014, 3:10 pm
  #249  
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Originally Posted by ThisYearsModel
This^. Must have had a lot of time on his hands to constantly book full flights trying to get bumped.
Nothing wrong with that, if he intends to fly (eventually). The most successful case I know of was 5 bumps in one day (before the GA got tired of him). That was before airlines learned only to rebook on flights with space rather than on the next flight.
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Old Apr 5, 2014, 6:32 am
  #250  
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Good

Happy he lost. That is what a Guy gets for being a pain . . .
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Old Apr 5, 2014, 6:54 am
  #251  
 
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Originally Posted by HongKonger
Not sure what you are trying to say here? Nothing I've ever said on this issue has been rendered incorrect by the SCotUS ruling. This ruling did not make it impossible to sue an airline. It only made it impossible to sue an airline using a legal foundation that has been preempted by the ADA. The ruling even stated that the rabbi could have continue to pursue a breach of contract claim, and that its ruling did not prevent such claims.
^
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Old Apr 5, 2014, 8:41 pm
  #252  
 
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HongKonger you rock!

Originally Posted by HongKonger
Not sure what you are trying to say here? Nothing I've ever said on this issue has been rendered incorrect by the SCotUS ruling. This ruling did not make it impossible to sue an airline. It only made it impossible to sue an airline using a legal foundation that has been preempted by the ADA. The ruling even stated that the rabbi could have continue to pursue a breach of contract claim, and that its ruling did not prevent such claims.
Uh..think you are missing the context HongKonger, my observation was the restraint you showed after the (imho) the personal attack and rude behavior inflicted on you by another member months and months ago ...the ruling justified and spoke volumes about your earlier comments and possibly your jurisprudence.
In short I was toasting you...and giggling at another member who made an *ss of himself..

The context of the statement being that I had read the entire thread...and was shocked at how a FT member attacked you personally, and then a year later only for "mister big shot" to be proven wrong by the SCOTUS...tis yummy for me...I like seeing the good guys win..

I have no pony in this race, but I love it when arrogant trolls get taken down a few notches...the jerk running you down and basically telling everyone else to not comment...ehh..anyways was meant as a compliment to you..
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Old Apr 6, 2014, 8:03 am
  #253  
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Originally Posted by Often1
Be careful what you wish for. It's easy enough for Congress to enact a statute which:

1. Makes FF miles/points the property of the passenger;
2. Classifies them as income when earned; and
3. Taxes them as income; and
4. Gives the passenger/owner a right to some kind of neutral arbitration.

For the 99.999% of FF who just go about their daily business and interact with the carriers on a normal basis, the current situation is just fine. There are the outliers such as the rabbi and some of the rabble-rousers here, who might prefer the above approach. Not me.
Let's get real. It's not easy for the US Congress -- especially this Congress -- to overcome the corporate interests that would lobby against change in this regard and regulate "loyalty" programs in the interest of "loyalty program" customers in the main.

Not familiar with how concentrated interests in DC tend to be far more powerful and effective in their lobbying than diffuse interest that in the aggregate have more at stake to gain or lose than the narrow, concentrated interests that oppose regulation? Anyone properly familiar with the functioning of our legislative process would have a clue that changes like these aren't easy to pass into law as the general public participating in these programs aren't as interested in what's at stake in the aggregate for consumers as the narrow corporate interests that have a more concetrated stake in the matter.
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Old Apr 6, 2014, 9:18 am
  #254  
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Originally Posted by Janus777
Uh..think you are missing the context HongKonger, my observation was the restraint you showed after the (imho) the personal attack and rude behavior inflicted on you by another member months and months ago ...the ruling justified and spoke volumes about your earlier comments and possibly your jurisprudence.
In short I was toasting you...and giggling at another member who made an *ss of himself..

The context of the statement being that I had read the entire thread...and was shocked at how a FT member attacked you personally, and then a year later only for "mister big shot" to be proven wrong by the SCOTUS...tis yummy for me...I like seeing the good guys win..

I have no pony in this race, but I love it when arrogant trolls get taken down a few notches...the jerk running you down and basically telling everyone else to not comment...ehh..anyways was meant as a compliment to you..
I agree but I must admit I don't even remember which of the usual suspects it was nor do I care. As for the restraint... Since nobody is ever reprimanded for personally attacking me yet I have been banned for a month for posting a statistically factual statement, I've learned restraint is a good idea for me.
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