PHX
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While not a "mea culpa" I think Larry Kellner's statement was sufficiently conciliatory without making a statement that might later come back to bite Continental in the butt once the lawsuits begin.
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One of the most distasteful and frankly sometimes counter-productive aspects of the modern litigous society in the US, is the fear of making even the most rudimentary apology "in case there might be litigation". Ironically, there are studies which show that litigation increases in the absence of one. In Sweden and in the UK there have been reductions in lawsuits against health professionals where they have adopted a policy of openly acknowledging errors and apologising very early in the process. This has the effect of reducing the build up of anger and resentment which feeds litigation.
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I'm assuming and would expect an apology will be forthcoming from Mesaba and Delta.
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They have released a statement disagreeing with the DOT and looking forward to the final report, when they seem to think the DOT will reverse it's preliminary findings and clear it. All this posturing, blame and counter-blame adds to the sense of helplessness in passengers and hopefully could lead to legislation.
As the Transport Secretary himself stated, there was a total loss of common sense in this issue. These passengers had all been screened before they got on the plane. Had the airline bothered to talk to the airport, which I understand they didn't do until much later, this could have been sorted. Instead, a load of "jobsworth" stood around, not caring about the plight of their customers. Decisions were not made because even senior people abdicated their responsibility.
Butch:
I agree that an adminstrative instrument will not impress the airlines and they will do as they do now and ride roughshod over every one. Making it a criminal offence with a civil remedy would and should get them sharpening their act.