In the campaign spot you see to the right, Fatima Kassam, a frequent business traveler, notes that Mark Leno "wrote the Airline Passenger's Bill of Rights, so they can't strand us on the runway."  What's this all about?

After hearing of many instances of passengers being stranded on the tarmac, Mark Leno introduced AB 1943. This bill requires airlines to provide a safe atmosphere for passengers while they are on the tarmac delayed. It does not put an odious burden upon the airlines, rather it simply requires them to provide a few basic essentials: fresh air, restrooms, and drinking water. After some praise from the San Francisco Chronicle, the bill was recently approved by a vote of 54-16 in the Assembly.  The bill is now in the Senate.

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From the bill:

This bill would require, whenever passengers have boarded an aircraft, as defined, and departure of the aircraft from the airport, as defined, is delayed by more than 3 hours, or more than 3 hours have passed following landing of the aircraft and passengers have not disembarked from the aircraft, that the air carrier, as defined, provide passengers, as needed, with (1) electrical service that is sufficient to provide the passengers with fresh air and light, (2) waste removal service in order to service the holding tanks for onboard restrooms, and (3) adequate food and drinking water and other refreshment.

Everybody deserves the right to simple necessities of life: restrooms, simple food and water, and some fresh air. Mark Leno's AB 1943 can go a long way towards eliminating some of the more egregious instances of passenger discomfort.