New DOT Hazmat Rule a Victory for Agents
ASTA applauded the Department of Transportation's (DOT) revision of a rule that required travel sellers--for in-person and phone airline bookings--to verbally advise consumers about the dangers of packing hazardous materials in baggage before they can purchase a ticket. Travelers will now get the notice on hazmat with their ticket and again at check-in. Zane Kerby, ASTA's president and CEO, said removing the verbal pre-ticketing disclosure will save travel agencies more than $58 million in initial training and programming costs and $26 million annually in ongoing compliance costs.