There was no shortage of stories about businesses stepping up to the plate to assist Houstonians after hurricane Harvey.

Heartfelt concern was responsible for increasing options for citizens suffering from water damage.

Airbnb even deferred its service charges and asked property owners to open their listings for free to those displaced by Harvey.

In contrast to that generous spirit were the major airlines’ greedy business practices.

Top Florida price gouging complaints: food, water and … airlines

Last week, Florida’s attorney general, Pam Bondi, said her office had received more than 8,000 complaints of price gouging by airlines and fuel companies that were taking advantage of people evacuating.

When Florida Gov. Rick Scott advised people who may be in the path of Hurricane Irma to “leave now,” it posed a challenge for those who tried to fly out of airports in south Florida. Many found the price of a single seat to fly, say, just from Miami to New York could cost several thousand dollars for a family of four.

In Florida, price gouging is illegal following a declared state of emergency. However, the airlines are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation and are not subject to Florida’s price gouging statute.

The airlines said they had to ‘override algorithms’ and use their ‘human powers’ to manually lower their fares out of Florida.

NPR’s Scott Simon noted that when Americans are hit by hurricanes and asked to make sacrifices for neighbors and strangers, most don’t respond with, “Sorry, the algorithms won’t let me.”

“Basically stealing from our citizens”

Bondi continued, “We see families trying to get out, and airlines trying to make a quick buck when people are at their lowest and most vulnerable state. We agree with supply and demand, and that’s why anti-price gouging laws kick in only during an emergency. Because you cannot steal from our citizens. That’s basically what they’re trying to do.”

Snopes, which is known for its ability to dig deeply into controversial claims, did some research on claims that airlines inflated prices ahead of hurricane Irma. Snapshots of United Airlines web pages with prices for Miami departures ranging above $3,000 could be found on Snopes’ site, with a list of price changes the airline later implemented after consumers complained and in order to “get folks out” of harm’s way.

In defending United’s pricing, the company’s spokesperson Frank Benenati told Snopes that the exorbitant prices were the result of “glitches” and were later corrected, and that the company “was attempting to do the right thing.”

Amid complaints of airlines taking advantage of those fleeing Hurricane Irma, Senators Richard Blumenthal and Edward J. Markey have written to Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao, asking her to look into reports of possible price gouging.

In their letter to Transportation Secretary Chao, Senators Blumenthal and Markey wrote:

“Airlines certainly have a right to a reasonable return for services rendered and vagaries in pricing are to be expected; but airlines have no right to impose exorbitant, unfair prices on Americans simply trying to get out of harm’s way.”

Florida Representative Charlie Crist also wrote a letter to Ms. Chao, calling for an investigation of United Airlines after receiving several complaints over airfare increases.

A quick follow up statement to our

CEO letter, which was received last week.

Not one responded or refuted any of the facts contained therein.

This speaks volumes  about the airlines’ true motivation in supporting privatization of the FAA air traffic control.

Congress should take note when and if it votes on this legislation by Transportation Committee Chairman Shuster – as the bill is staunchly opposed by many aviation groups.

Contact: kendallc@FlyersRights.org