The Wright Amendment

One of former U.S. Rep. Jim Wright's(D) legacies here in Texas is the Wright Amendment, signed into law by former President Jimmy Carter(D) in 1979.

What this means to the people who need to fly into and out of North Central Texas using DFW airport is having to pay for over-priced airline tickets. In some cases it is cheaper to fly to Houston or Austin and then catch a flight to your out-of-state destination.

This legislation restricts flights departing Dallas Love Field (Southwest Airlines, mainly) from non-stop flights beyond the boarding states. Dallas/Ft. Worth International airport (American Airlines), it was believed by some, needed protection from competition by Love Field (Southwest) in order to be successful in this market and "become the driving economic engine in north Texas."

Stifling competition didn't seem to be necessary in Chicago (O'Hare & Midway), Houston (Intercontinental & Hobby), or New York (JFK, LaGuardia, et.al.), so why here? I haven't seen or heard a plausible explanation for that.

For nearly 30 years, passengers have had to pay higher fares from DFW airport - not that the politicians, or American Airlines, really care about passengers.

Recently, to stave off another (likely successful) attempt by opponents of the Amendment to have it repealed, an agreement was reached between (the politicians of) Dallas and Ft. Worth to basically phase out the restrictions over an 8 year period.

I have not flown out of either of these airports in nearly 10 years (except for one unusual exception this summer) and cannot foresee any need to for the rest of my life. Therefore, I have no stake in the argument. It just seems wrong that this type of restriction on free enterprise would even be considered, much less made into law.

What I find amusing is the opinion column in the Star-Telegram, written by both the mayor of Dallas and of Ft. Worth, that begins:

"For almost 30 years, business and leisure travelers in North Texas have suffered the consequences of burdensome federal restrictions on air travel in our communities."

Keep in mind, Ft. Worth and American Airlines have been the staunch defenders of the Amendment, while Dallas has often protested it.

What's their joint solution to these "consequences of burdensome federal restrictions?"

Allow American Airlines to bleed the public for another 8 years.

Is this a great country, or what?