Protestors. They are everywhere. I don’t actually know if the number of protests is on the rise, or if I’m just more aware of it these days. I drove by a group of people protesting abortion yesterday. For weeks people around the world protested as the Olympic torch passed through their cities, angry about the human rights violations that are ongoing in China. War protests are so frequent that they have practically become passé. However, a couple of weeks ago the strangest protest I ever heard about happened in southern California. Some elected officials are trying to pass a law banning Mylar balloons.
The protest that erupted over the Mylar balloon ban was amazing and unique in many ways. People who had never protested a day in their life came out for the event and brought their entire families with them. Mom, Dad, and the kids all marched and carried balloons outside the offices of the senator that was pushing for the ban. Many were chanting S-O-B (Save Our Balloons). I heard a six-year-old girl chanting that as loud as she could and thought I would never stop laughing. Even though I wasn't even in the state I went out and bought myself a Mylar balloon with a pirate on it. It's still floating proudly in my office.
It’s all got me thinking, though. I’ve never protested or marched or done anything like that. It’s not that I don’t have strong opinions and beliefs. Rather, I’ve never been clear on what the legality of such things is. I mean, it sounds appealing until you hear about people being arrested for protesting. What happened there? If I go out and join a group of protestors and hold up a sign, am I putting myself in danger of being arrested, too? Don’t get me wrong, there are causes worth dying for, let alone getting arrested for, but the rational part of my brain tells me that I don’t want to find myself on the 6 o’clock news being led away in handcuffs. Where exactly is that line?
The First Amendment guarantees us the freedom of speech and the right to peacefully assemble. The government can't stop you from speaking your mind or assembling with others to do so jointly. However, it can put some restrictions on it. Many cities have public forums, often parks, for the purpose of these assemblies. It seems the golden rule of protesting is: don't break any laws.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but think carefully. This is where many protestors can get themselves into trouble. Depending on what you're protesting and where, the police may be more or less inclined to overlook your actions. However, regardless of where you are, what you're protesting or how many people are doing the same thing, you are still ultimately responsible for your own actions.
Don't trespass on private property. This is against the law and is one of the reasons protestors can get arrested. Make sure the place you choose is public, such as a local park.
Get a permit if one is required. Checking with your local government will help you discover if you need a special permit to protest. Restrictions on time, place, and manner of assembly or protest can be easily enforced this way.
Don't destroy property belonging to someone other than you. Don't vandalize, deface, or destroy anything belonging to the government, a business, or another person.
Don't assault anyone. Do not touch police, government representatives, private individuals, basically anyone. And don't threaten to harm them, either, or make them think you're going to touch them. Also, don't try to incite others to commit violence. Remember, only peaceful assembly is protected.
Be courteous to police officers. Their job is always difficult and perhaps never more so than when they are faced with an unpredictable crowd. The more stress you heap on them the more likely things will go badly.
If you follow these guidelines, you are less likely to run afoul of the law. Who knows, maybe now that I’m clear on my rights and my responsibilities, I might just go out and protest something. I think I'll take my balloon with me.
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My husband and I recently found a kitten on our doorstep. We first inquired around the neighborhood and then took him to the Humane Society. When we dropped him off, we asked that they let us adopt him if no one came forward to claim him. We are now the proud parents of Schrödinger cat!
I grew up surrounded by pets: dogs, cats, hamsters. Schrödinger is my husband’s very first pet. That said, there are some things about the adjustment period with our kitten that are much easier for me than for him. For example, I’m not surprised when a little black ball of fluff decides that on top of my keyboard is the best place in the entire world to play. What has been interesting to me has been going over with my husband some of the things that you need to be aware of as a pet owner. You have a responsibility not only to your pet but also to people your pet will come in contact with. Dogs and cats bring a lot of joy into our lives. Unfortunately, that bundle of joy comes equipped with teeth and claws and instincts that are geared toward survival.
While you may accept behavior in a four pound kitten that you would instantly put a stop to in a forty pound dog, you should be aware that bad behavior, especially biting, is more than just a nuisance. Pet owners are responsible when their pet bites someone else. Although your dog might not be vicious and is unlikely to turn up on the 6 o'clock news, even small nips can be dangerous and get you into legal trouble. If your dog injures someone, you could end up in court and may even have to pay medical bills.
Homeowner's and renter's insurance often covers you if your dog bites someone. However, be very careful to check your policy. Some policies specifically exclude certain breeds of dogs which are considered higher risk. There are several things you can do to help minimize risk.
Choose a pet that is friendly and even-tempered. Some breeds are more easy-going than others. Getting a pet from a breeder instead of a store can also give you the opportunity to meet one or both of your animal's parents and see their personalities and temperaments.
Make sure your pet is well-behaved. Obedience classes can help with this. Correct bad behavior immediately without delay every single time. The rules should be easy to understand and consistent. If you don't want your dog on the couch, then remove him every time he jumps up regardless of what else you are doing at the time. The more consistent you are the happier and more obedient your pet will be.
Make sure your pet has regular vet check-ups. It is important to keep up on their vaccinations and just as important to be proactive when it comes to your pet's health. Not only can you help your pet live a long life this way, but you can also prevent problem behavior that occurs when an animal is sick or injured.
Take steps to secure your animals when people they don't know or don't like are at your house. This goes double for when young children are around. Children and animals, although cute together, can be a recipe for disaster. Children are exploring their world and that can include pulling ears and tails, hitting, or squeezing too hard. Your dog or cat will either fight back or run away. If they choose to run and the child is still holding them, a bite or a scratch will help secure the pet's escape. It's difficult to reason with an animal or a young child and nearly impossible to provide the intensity of supervision required when they are together. It is best to make sure that no one is in a position to get hurt and that means keeping baby and pet far from one another.
Plan for your pet’s long-term health and happiness. Consider getting pet health insurance so that unexpected illness or injury doesn't cost you an obscene amount of money. Also, consider what to do with your pet when you are not around. Find a good, responsible pet sitter who can make sure your pet receives quality care when you're away from home on vacation or business. Some people even set up trusts for their animals or make provisions for them in their wills. It might sound strange, but your pet is a member of your family. If you have children, you should already have figured out who you want to raise them in your absence. Do the same for your pet. Don't just assume that your family will figure it out. This can lead to abuse, neglect, or even the putting to sleep of an otherwise healthy and loving animal.
Remember, when choosing a pet, choose wisely. Think about their long-term needs and yours. Choose an animal based on personality and health as opposed to looks. Also, don't forget that you have responsibilities to your pet, your family and anyone who might come into contact with them.
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By now you’ve noticed that Lawyers.com has a new look, but there’s so much more than just a new coat of paint. Lawyers.com has been connecting people with lawyers for close to 10 years now and Lawyers.com has grown to be so much more than a lawyer directory. Today, inside our site you’ll find greatly expanded information and legal resources to help you learn about the law and navigate through the legal system. Our goal is to make you an educated consumer of legal services and connect you with the information needed to make the best decision for you.
Lawyers.com continues to offers one of the web’s most visited legal community for consumers. Looking for help from others who may have experienced similar circumstances? Explore our top Legal Message Boards, join a Live Legal Chat, or browse our Ask-A-Lawyer knowledge forum to get the tips and feedback you need to decide what to do next.
Of course we have not forgotten about what has made us what we are today. Lawyers.com still contains our best-in-the-business legal directory, with detailed lawyer and law firm listings from all over the world to help you find a lawyer that’s right for you. And if you’re thinking about doing some of the legal work yourself, our new offering from our partner, RocketLawyer makes creating and filing basic legal forms easy, and even offers lawyer review of your documents if you choose.
We’re interested in hearing your opinions on our new site. If you’d like to help us make the site even better, please use our feedback form, or just post a comment to this blog. We look forward to hearing from you!
The world is obsessed with my credit. Okay, not mine personally, but credit in general. You can't rent an apartment, buy a car or buy a house without it. Some companies won't even let you get a cell phone plan without checking it. Every time I turn on the television or radio there's yet another company offering to give me a free credit report or fix my credit or monitor my credit. I can't surf the web without having credit ads pop up all over the place and flash at me from huge banners. It's overwhelming and annoying. Of course, all that paled in comparison to my annoyance when I actually had to pay for a credit report, only to find out I'd have to pay an even steeper fee to find out my credit score. I'd already coughed up the price of a dinner out to read pages of information, but to get the actual numbers would cost me yet another dinner out!
It seems to me that the people that truly benefit from credit reports and scores are the companies reporting them, specifically Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It's in their best interests to make the consumer paranoid about their credit and businesses obsessed with it. Every time that report gets pulled someone pays, and half the time that cost gets passed on to me. I think it should be the other way around. I think TransUnion and associates should have to pay me each time they make money when someone looks me up.
Apparently I'm not the only one who's angry about this. A class action suit that's been going on for years against TransUnion was just settled. The complaints were much worse and more specific than mine. TransUnion had been accused of illegally selling too much information about consumers to credit issuing companies. The settlement has two aspects: cash and services. The money will have to be distributed amongst all the class members and will be a few dollars at most. The services aspect is something more people can really sink their teeth into.
You can register at the website https://www.listclassaction.com/ to claim one of two free service packages, each of which includes a few months of free access to your credit report AND score and free credit monitoring. Best yet, when your months are up, it automatically cancels it for you! Like me, you've probably had at least one experience where a "free trial" of something suddenly ended and the company started charging your credit card before you could cancel the subscription. Not the case here. You do, however, have to register by September 24th. You will be notified when the court grants final approval of the settlement and your free access begins.
Sign me up! My hat's off to the men and women who stood up several years ago and went after TransUnion for their activities. Now I'm just thinking, is Equifax next?
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Insurance. Let me guess, you have (or have had or will have) health insurance, car insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and/or renter’s insurance. You may have had wedding insurance, life insurance, pet insurance, malpractice insurance, or trip insurance. But have you ever even heard of above average snowfall insurance, kidnap and ransom insurance, or image protection insurance? A couple of these took me by surprise and got me wondering, what exactly can you insure? It turns out, just about anything. There are, however, a couple of general rules.
First, you can't insure against something that is certain to happen. For example, you can't insure against the sun setting.
Second, you can't insure against something when you have no personal stake in the outcome. That means I can't insure against Johnny Depp dying. While I might be very sad to not be able to see more of his movies, I would suffer no monetary loss if he died. A film production he was working on, however, could get insurance for this because they would be financially damaged if he died. Many times celebrities or companies they are working with take this one step further by insuring a star's physical assets. Tina Turner’s legs, Keith Richard’s hands, and Madonna’s breasts have all been insured at one point or another.
You don't have to be a celebrity, though, to insure your physical assets. Craftspeople who rely on their hands as the tools of their trade can have them insured. That way, if something happened to injure their hands, they wouldn't be financially ruined while they were unable to work.
Businesses of any size can obtain stop loss insurance for specific events. For example, if your mom-and-pop ski shop depends on a certain amount of snowfall or a minimum number of days that the slopes are open, you can insure against a below average snowfall. Average is the key. You won't be able to get insurance that will cover you for anything less than record breaking snowfall, but an insurer will look at what the average snowfall for the area is and you can collect if the snowfall is far enough below average.
If you depend on your hands for your livelihood, have a small business that could be impacted by outside factors, or have another need like this, think about getting insurance. It might take some shopping, but you should be able to find it. A good broker should be able to help you and you can also do quite a lot of research online. If all else fails you can try Lloyd's of London.
Lloyd’s of London has made a name for itself insuring what would seem uninsurable.
They’ve insured space shuttles, two-headed albino rattlesnakes, and the race horse Secretariat against failing a fertility test. In the earlier days of film, they even insured moviegoers against death from excessive laughter! More recently, they've insured someone against seeing a ghost.
In addition to the fanciful and the work-related, there are very real modern day threats that you can get insurance for. These include terrorism and identity theft.
Getting insurance is all about taking the risk of loss and putting that burden onto someone else. You might pay car insurance for twenty years without ever having an accident, but when you do, the protection will be worth it.
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If you’re like me, the thought of someone stealing your identity sounds like a nightmare. When researching this topic recently, though, I was stunned to discover just how much of a threat it is and how many different things thieves can use your identity to do.
I knew that they could open credit card accounts and that they could even take control of my existing credit card accounts. What I didn’t know was that they can also open phone service, make calls that look like they came from my cell phone and are billed to my account, obtain Driver’s licenses, and even get a job!
Even more numerous than the ways in which my information can be used are the ways in which my information can be stolen. Small, hand-held devices can be used by a restaurant worker or a cashier to grab all of my information from that card. One swipe takes the blink of an eye and—just like that—my information is in their hands. Thieves can also rig the machines of legitimate businesses with tiny devices that can gather information from hundreds of users. These can be placed in a variety of places such as ATMs and the card reader at the gas pump. We give out our information all the time when paying for something either over the phone or online.
The more I found out the more I wanted to protect myself. There are a host of consumer protection companies out there. Ironically, one of the companies that advertises heavily on television, Lifelock, is being sued by people in three different states who have had their identity stolen. Even the spokesman, the one who confidently shows his social security number in the commercials, has had his identity stolen. While these companies seem to be quite good at protecting your credit accounts, keeping tabs on your credit reports so they know when people try to open new lines of credit or change existing ones, that only protects from one form of identity theft. The Department of Motor Vehicles, for instance, doesn’t run your credit when issuing a Driver’s license. So while credit-protection companies may serve a good purpose, they cannot completely protect you from identity theft.
That’s the bad news. Ready for the really bad news? Nobody can.
While it’s impossible to completely protect yourself against identity theft, there are many things you can do to limit your risk. Here are a few I found.
All of these things are great, but what happens if you find out your identity was stolen? Here’s what you should do.
Identity theft is an epidemic. Sooner or later you or someone you know could be a victim. Protect yourself as best as you can. Remember, though, the faster you can detect the problem, the faster you can repair any damage that’s been done.
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They say nature abhors a vacuum and I’ve been watching that principle playing out around me. Within the same four week period one of my friends announced his pending divorce and another one of my friends announced her engagement. Although they are at completely opposite ends of the marriage spectrum, they do have one thing in common: an intense need to look closely at a prenuptial agreement. One friend needs to make one while another one needs to enforce one.
A prenuptial (or premarital) agreement is basically a document explaining the understanding between two people on how they will handle divorce. Issues covered can range from division of assets to agreements about the payment of spousal support. It is essentially a contract, so, generally speaking, as long as the terms are clear and not completely one-sided they have a good chance of being recognized as valid. Not everyone needs or makes one of these agreements prior to marriage, but it never hurts to know all you can about them before deciding whether you want to get one and what you want to include in it.
Here are some things you should think about if getting married:
What if you’re on the other side, preparing for divorce? What should you do with that prenuptial agreement?
Divorce is an unhappy subject whether it comes at the end of a long, trying marriage or the beginning of a short, blissful engagement. A few intense, honest conversations can help everyone immensely. A prenuptial isn’t for everyone, but don’t just assume that it’s not right for you. Make an informed decision that you can live with regardless of what happens.
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Nothing is more important than health care to families. But did you know that if your child is graduating from high school or college, he or she may lose their health insurance if they don’t act now?
Under many health insurance policies, your child is probably covered under the parents’ insurance until the age of 25 as long as the child is a full-time student (19 is the cap if they are not a full-time student). If your child is graduating, he/she may not be considered a “covered dependent” any longer, particularly if he/she is not continuing his or her education. If that is so, then he/she has only a certain amount of time from the Qualifying Event date (graduation) to elect COBRA coverage to maintain health benefits. The clock may be ticking.
Be sure to speak with your health insurance agent or your Human Resources Department at work to assure that your child remains covered.
Domestic travel
International travel
Travel with Unrelated Children
· If the friend of one of your children is traveling with you, whether in this country or outside, get a health care power of attorney from the friend’s parents or legal guardian. If the friend is in need of immediate medical attention, you may need to show a hospital or doctor the power of attorney to get the help needed. This will allow for medical treatment to proceed, even in circumstances when the parents of the child cannot be reached.
To buy or not to buy? That is the question that plagues renters. Whether ‘tis better to suffer the whims and rent raises of landlords or to stake all on the ability to pay a mortgage? My husband and I, who have always been renters, have decided that this is the year we are going to change our status to that of homeowners. A number of factors have contributed to this decision ranging from the need for the tax break to the overwhelming desire to have walls that are not white or that even more hideous cream color that most landlords prefer.
With the current crisis in the mortgage industry it might seem like insanity to even think about buying right now. For those who can swing it, though, this is a great time to snag a house for a lot less than you would have paid a year ago or might pay a year from now. For anyone trying to decide whether to rent or buy there are several factors to take into account.
Intention to remain in the same place – Do you intend to stay in the same area for a long period of time, or do you only plan on staying for a couple of years or as long as it takes to get that undergraduate or graduate degree or put another line on your resume or save up the money to move?
Price – What will be the price difference in your area between renting and buying something? Shop around. If you can rent a two bedroom house or apartment for $1,000, but a mortgage on a similar sized two bedroom place will run you $2,000, then you need to seriously consider whether or not owning that place is worth paying twice as much a month to you. For some the answer is yes, for others no.
Stability - Is your income 100% predictable and are your expenses fixed so that you know each month what’s coming in and going out? If so, then buying, if you can afford it, is going to be an attractive situation, especially given that you are investing your money in the property. However, if you have income or expenses that are more unpredictable, you might want to opt for the cheaper rent so that when one of those low-income, high-expense months comes along (and they always do) you don’t have to dip into savings or borrow from a relative or friend to cover your housing costs. There’s a lot to be said for being able to be independent.
Likely future change in your housing needs – If you know that there are events coming up in your future that will drastically affect your housing needs, then you might want to consider renting until then. When you know exactly what you need in a house in terms of space, location, and amenities, then you’ll be able to make a more informed purchase. If renting just doesn’t appeal to you, you can still purchase, but do so with an eye to what you are going to need five years from now and not just five months from now. Likely future changes include planning for children or downsizing for retirement.
Amount of time and money you have – They say that when there is a problem you can throw either time or money at it. When something goes wrong with the house you own, you have to fix it which means spending money, spending time, or in all likelihood, both. When you rent and something goes wrong it is your landlord’s job to spend their time and money fixing the problem. If you need to find a plumber on a holiday weekend it’s good to not be the one footing the bill. On the other hand, not all landlords are as responsive as we would like or need which can mean extra time living with something that’s broken before it gets fixed. It can also mean that you have to be something of a nag to get things done.
Amount of control you need – If you are the type of person that needs to exercise a lot of control over your environment then you’re going to want to buy. When you own something you get to make all those decisions that landlords do when you rent. This ranges from cosmetic things (like what color to paint the walls) to more important things (like when to schedule appointments you need to be home for). I have some friends who are very happy with the layout of the apartment they are currently renting, but have serious problems with the level of control exercised by the management. At least once a month the landlord schedules different events (inspecting sliding glass doors, etc.) without regard for anyone else’s schedule. My friends, like many people, don’t like strangers walking around their place unattended, and often must take unpaid time off from work to be present for these maintenance calls. Ideally, they need to either find a place to rent where they can exercise more control over their space or they need to buy a house.
Buying a house is a huge step, and certainly isn’t for everyone. If you decide to take that plunge, make sure you get a real estate agent or broker you trust (HINT – the good ones won’t make your skin crawl!) Research the area to find the best deal that’s right for you. Know what you can do today and what you will need to do down the road to keep the house once you get it. Happy house hunting!
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Toys. Everyone is obsessed with them. Children want them. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles rush out to get the biggest, best and coolest ones. Toys are meant to entertain and educate the young and a company’s fortunes can rise and fall with the latest crazes and must-have gifts. Some people worry about giving too many toys and spoiling a child. Nowadays, it seems, what they should really worry about is giving the wrong toy and killing a child.
Now I know what some of you are thinking. Whoa, slow down there, most dangerous or recalled toys don’t kill anyone. So, why focus on this extreme—if unlikely—threat? There are two reasons.
1. They can kill. Some of the headlines from the last couple of years look like this:
"Playskool Voluntarily Recalls Toy Tool Benches after the Death of Two Toddlers"
"Kolcraft Recalls Play Yards After the Death of a 10-Month-Old Child"
"Child's Death Prompts Replacement Program of Magnetic Building Sets"
2. Most people need to see the ultimate threat before they’ll respond to something. "Harming" could mean bumps, cuts, and scrapes. While we would prefer that toys not cause further risk of these things, bumps, cuts and scrapes are ordinary hazards of childhood. However, when we realize that defective toys can cause extreme injuries and even death, we pay attention. Here's a good example. In the time I've had my current car there have been four safety recalls on it. Because I am busy (and lazy, I'll admit it) I've looked at each one of those and thought, "Oh, that won't kill me" and tossed it in the trash. “Harm” is easy to overlook. “Death” is not.
Okay, so we’ve established that dangerous toys can kill. How does this happen and, more importantly, what can be done about it?
In 2007 the number of toy recalls was staggering and it reached into nearly every area of the toy store. One of the biggest problems was toys manufactured in China that were coated with lead paint or other, harsher toxins. These toys could cause problems ranging from seizures to death. Even though the Chinese government has attempted to rectify the situation, the outcome is not promising. Of the roughly 9,000 Chinese toy manufacturers, only 20% have attended government training courses on product safety and quality.
From a legal standpoint there is very little that can be done to hold the Chinese manufacturers responsible. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to identify specific companies or factories which produce a given item. Going after a company in China is unlikely to accomplish anything. Instead, lawyers target U.S. distributors and retailers for deaths and injuries related to these faulty toys. This means that from the large stores like Wal-mart to the local mom and pop grocery, those who sell toys in this country can potentially be held responsible for the injuries they cause. If your child has been seriously injured by a defective product, consider consulting an attorney about your options.
Of course, as they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It is far better to protect our children from harm in the first place than to sue someone if the child is killed or injured.
So, what can you do to protect the children you love? There are a few simple things you can do quite easily.
Ultimately the responsibility for protecting our children lies with us, the ones who love them enough to shop for them. So, is it safe to go back into a toy store? The answer depends entirely on you. Toy stores carry both safe and potentially dangerous products and a little research and care on your part goes a long way in keeping your child from becoming a statistic.
You know how this works. You type in your credit card information online, read it to an operator on the phone, or swipe it through a machine. Bingo! Your credit card company gives out money and then sends you a monthly bill reminding you how much you owe them with interest. In return, you get something. You get an item, an experience, a reservation, or to keep having cable television. Most items we receive immediately or within a couple of business days. Vacations, though, are often paid for well in advance and all you receive in return for that money is…a promise. A promise of a hotel room. A promise of activities and tickets. A promise of a car to drive around. And, of course, a promise of an airplane to take you there. A promise is a promise is a promise. Unfortunately, a promise can’t fly you to Hawaii, only an airline can. But when the airline that promised you that flight can’t deliver, what do you do?
As I discussed in my last posting, if you paid for your ticket with cash or check, you can consider bringing a claim against the airline and many months later you may or may not see some money back. If, however, you paid by a credit card, you may have another option that is both faster and more likely to keep you from being out all the money you spent on that airline ticket.
On the back of your credit card statement you should see an address you can write to if you wish to dispute a charge and receive a chargeback. You can dispute several types of billing errors including: charges you did not authorize; charges for goods or services of different quality or quantity than what was represented; and charges for undelivered goods or services (as in plane tickets from airlines no longer flying).
So, that plane ticket you paid for on Aloha, ATA, or Skybus that you didn’t get? Let your credit card company know right away so you don’t have to pay. Here’s what you do:
1. Find the credit card statement where your charge for the flight appeared.
2. On the back of the statement, find the address to which you are supposed to report billing errors or disputes.
3. As soon as possible, send a letter to your credit card company at that address explaining that you did not receive the service that you paid for. Time is important here. In most cases, you’ll have sixty days from the date of issue of the statement where the charge first appears to make this claim. Occasionally this can be extended, but don’t count on it. That said, if 60 days pass before you realize that you can or should try to chargeback your airline tickets, send in the claim anyway. You may also need to check to see if you should then submit the request for a “claim and defenses” chargeback instead of a “billing errors” chargeback. Unlike billing errors, you have a little more time, usually a year, to submit a claim and defense chargeback. Some other restrictions will likely apply, so check with your credit card company.
4. Confirm with your credit card company that you do not have to pay the disputed charge (but do pay the rest of the bill!), if you have not already done so.
5. Provide the credit card company with any information they ask for, such as copies of itineraries, etc.
6. Make sure your credit card company received your claim.
7. Wait for their response. This might take a couple of months while your credit company researches everything to verify that you are entitled to a chargeback. While it may seem like a no-brainer given the airline situations, they’re going to need to make sure you weren’t one of those lucky few who had another airline, such as Hawaiian, honor your ticket. The companies are willing to help out, but they’ve got to protect themselves from dishonest people who might try to get a completely free flight out of the whole fiasco.
8. If your credit card company denies you a chargeback and you can confirm that you have met any required conditions, consider filing a complaint with your Attorney General’s office.
The bottom line is that you shouldn’t have to pay for what you didn’t get. The way the system works, though, it can be very difficult to get your money back. If you used a credit card instead of cash or a check your chances of recovery increase greatly. Good luck and hopefully we’ll all be flying again soon!
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Next time: Flying the Empty Skies IV: To Charge…and to Charge Back
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