In speaking to the employees of the Department of Transportation President Bush rolled out several lame duck initiatives including a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to enhance passenger protections long sought by the Coalition for a Passengers Bill of Rights. The NPRM adopted recommendations of its National Task Force to Develop Model Contingency Plans to Deal with Lengthy On-Board Ground Delays requiring air carriers to develop contingency plans for lengthy tarmac delays. It provides for greater compensation for lost bags, as well as tougher penalties when airlines fail to notify travelers of hidden fees. It also requires air carriers to respond to consumer problems and considers flights that are chronically late to be unfair and deceptive and in violation of 49 U.S.C. §41712. Other provisions include requiring air carriers to publish information on flight delays on their websites in addition to auditing their own compliance with the consumer service plan. For a complete report see the next issue of Regional Aviation News.