United Airlines spent $600K lobbying in 4th quarter on passenger rights, cockpit electronics

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United Airlines spent $600K lobbying gov’t in 4Q

WASHINGTON — United Airlines spent $600,000 in the fourth quarter lobbying on proposed rules for dealing with stranded passengers and prohibiting using computers and other electronics in the cockpit.

Several hot-button issues showed up in proposed legislation last year, including long tarmac delays and pilots’ use of laptops in the cockpit after two Northwest Airlines pilots became distracted and overflew their destination.

United’s lobbying disclosure report doesn’t say which side it took on the legislation, but most airlines opposed new Transportation Department rules about tarmac delays that are set to take effect April 29. Airlines have said the new rules will further complicate matters when a plane is stuck on the ramp.

United also lobbied on a House bill that would set standard limits for the size of carryon bags. Airlines are currently free to set their own limits.

United also lobbied on the cap-and-trade bill, which would put a price on each ton of pollution and allow businesses to buy and sell permits for their emissions. Airlines have opposed it because they say it would amount to a tax on fuel-intensive industries. The cap-and-trade approach has not won broad political support, but a new bill sponsored by Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., would instead apply different carbon controls to different sectors of the economy.

Bills aimed at ending price speculation in energy markets also got the attention of airline lobbyists. Airlines have generally favored such bills, and they have blamed energy speculation for high jet fuel prices.

In addition to Congress, United also lobbied the Transportation Department and the Federal Aviation Administration and the White House, according to the Jan. 20 filing with the House Clerk’s Office, which covered the last three months of 2009.

United’s lobbying bill rose by one-third from the fourth quarter of 2008, when it spent $450,000.