# Appendix — California v. Civil Aeronautics Board

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## Record

- **Collection:** Supreme Court brief
- **Document type:** Appendix
- **Published:** January 1, 1979
- **Citation:** 439 U.S. 1068

## Text

Supreme Court, U. S.~
Z FILED

i} SEP 19 1978

-_——

—
'* ri coe

ies ee

In the Supreme Court saa

OF THE

Gnited States

Octoser TERM, 1978

noe. €8-417
— 8-447

Tue PEeoPLe oF THE STaTE oF CALIFORNIA and THE
Pusuic UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
and Tue NaTionaL ASSOCIATION OF

Reecutatory Utitity CoMMISSIONERS,
Petitioners,

vs.

Crviz AERonavuTics Boarp,
Respondent.

PETITION FOR A WRIT OF CERTIORARI
to the United States Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit

PETITIONERS’ JOINT APPENDICES

In the Supreme Court

OF THE

Gnited States

Octroper Term, 1978

I

Tur Prop.y or THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA and THE
Pusuic Utititres COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
and Tue NationaL ASSOCIATION OF
Reouiatrory Uritiry COMMISSIONERS,
Petitioners,

Vs.

Civin Agronavutics Boarp,
Respondent.

PETITION FOR A WRIT OF CERTIORARI
to the United States Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit

PETITIONERS’ JOINT APPENDICES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Appendix A
ey of the Court of Appeals for the District of Colum-
DE rrr et re etre a iis 59 aay kb tak

Appendix B

Decision of the Court of on for the District of Colum-
ns SI whys bp ows eins Oak wh cme as \ Ltn on os

Appendix C
CAB Opinion and Order 76-7-23 issued July 7, 1976 |

Appendix D
CAB Opinion and Order 76-10-138 issued October 29, 1976

Appendix E
CAB Order of ee 72-9-90 issued ro 25,
1972

Appendix F
Initial Decision of Administrative Law Judge served April
23, 1974 skce Adon Ree REISE %. SUR ORSE > GENCE GG. ft 2

Appendix G
CAB Order 75-3-2 issued March 3, 1975 ........

Appendix H

CAB Order pinata k Partial oy 77-1-137 issued 0050
eee

Appendix I

4g Order rpg Partial se.de 77-4-22 issued lsh 5,

Appendix J

Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended, 49 U.S.C. Sec-
- dons 1301( 10), 1301(21), 1301(23), 1302, 1371, 1373, 1374

Appendix K
Interstate Commerce Act, 49 U.S.C. Sections 1, 3(1)

Page

109

113

115

131

2

APPENDIX A

Judgment of the Court of Appeals
for the District of Columbia Circuit
United States Court of Appeals
For the District of Columbia Circuit
No. 76-2117 September Term, 1977

The People of the State of California
and the Public Utilities Commission of
the State of California, Petitioners

Vv.
Civil Aeronautics Board, Respondent
Western Airlines, Inc.
Texas International Airlines, Inc.
Ralph Nader and the Aviation Consumer
Action Project
United Air Lines, Inc.
Hughes Air Corporation, d/b/a
Hughes Airwest, Intervenors

76-2123
National Association of Regulatory
Utility Commissioners, Petitioner

v.

Civil Aeronautics Board, Respondent

Texas International Airlines, Inc.

Western Airlines, Inc.

Ralph Nader and the Aviation Consumer
Action Project

United Air Lines, Inc.

Trans World Airlines, Inc.

Hughes Air Corporation, d/b/a

Hughes Airwest, Intervenors

76-2155

Texas Aeronautics Commission, Petitioner

v.

Civil Aeronautics Board, Respondent

Texas International Airlines, Inc.

Western Airlines, Inc.

Ralph Nader and the Aviation Consumer
Action Project

Trans World Airlines, Inc.

United Air Lines, Inc.

Hughes Air Corporation, d/b/a

Hughes Airwest, Intervenors

}

[Filed June 20, 1978]

3

Petition for Review of An Order
of the Civil Aeronautics Board
Before: Wricut, Chief Judge, Bazeton and WILKEy,
Circuit Judges

JUDGMENT

These causes came on to be heard on a petition for
review of an order of the Civil Aeronautics Board and
were argued by counsel. On consideration of the foregoing,
it is

ORDERED AND ADJUDGED by this Court, that the
order of the Civil Aeronautics Board under review herein
is hereby affirmed, in accordance with the opinion of this
Court filed herein this date.

Per Curiam
For the Court

/s/ GEORGE A. FISHER
Georce A. FIsHEeR
Clerk

Date: June 20, 1978
Opinion for the Court filed by Circuit Judge Wilkey

alll

4 | 5

APPENDIX B No. 76-2123
Decision of the Court of Appeals NaTionaL ASSOCIATION OF REGULATORY
for the District of Columbia Circuit : Urtinity CoMMISSIONERS, PETITIONER
Notice: This opinion is subject to formal revision before epeation in oe v.
Federal Reporter or U.S.App. or . Users are ——— nad ng a & -
Clerk of any formal errors in order that corrections may oer Civi, Arronavutics BoarD, RESPONDENT

bound volumes go to press.
Texas INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES, INC.
WesTERN AIRLINES, INC.
RautpH NADER AND THE
AviaTIon ConsuMER ACTION PROJECT
Unitep Ar Livzs, Inc.
Trans Worip Arrixes, Inc.
No. 76-2117 ; Hucues Arr Corporation, d/b/a
Hucues AIRWEST, INTERVENORS

United States Court of Appeals
For the District of Columbia Circuit

Ore NE Le RATES ONE

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
AND THE PuBLic UTILITIES COMMISSION OF
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, PETITIONERS

bi No. 76-2155
Crviz AERONAUTICS BoaRD, RESPONDENT Texas AERONAUTICS COMMISSION, PETITIONER
v.
WESTERN AIRLINES, INc.
Texas INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES, INc. Crvi. AERONAUTICS BoaRD, RESPONDENT
RatPH NaDes AND THE Texas INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES, INC.
Aviation ConsuMER Action Progect Westren Artes, Inc.
Unirtep Arr Lings, Inc. : Ratpu Naver AND THE
Hucues Arm Corporation, d/b/a Aviation ConsuMER AcTION PROJECT
Hvucues AIRWEST, IN'‘TERVENORS | Pinus Wa Arties, Inc.

Unitep Ar Livgs, Inc.
Hueues Arr Conporation, d/b/a
: Hvucues AIRWEST, INTERVENORS

Bills of costs must be filed within 14 days after entry of judgment. The court
looks with disfavor upon motions to file bills of costs out of time.

ERR netrenntmnneeneen

6

Petition for Review of Orders of the
Civil Aeronautics Board

Argued 17 February 1978
Decided 20 June 1978

Rufus.G. Thayer, Jr. with whom J. Calvin Simpson
was on the brief, for petitioner in No. 76-2117. Also
Richard D. Gravelle entered an appearance for petitioner
in No. 76-2117.

William R. Nusbaum with whom Paul Rodgers was on
the brief, for petitioner in No. 76-2123.

John L. Hill, Attorney General of Texas and Dawid
Hughes, Assistant Attorney General were on the brief,
for petitioner in No. 76-2155,

Alan R. Demby, Attorney, Civil Aeronautics Board with
whom James C. Schultz, General Counsel and Jerome
Nelson, Deputy General Counsel, Civil Aeronautics Board,
Glen M. Bendixsen, Associate General Counsel and Robert
L. Tooney, Attorney, Department of Justice were on the
brief, for respondents.

Reuben B. Robertson, III with whom Alan B. Morrison
was on the brief, for intervenor, Ralph Nader and the
Aviation Consumer Action Project.

Michael A. Katz, Arnold T. Aikens and Peter D. Con-
nally were on the brief, for intervenor United Air Lines.

Richard A. Fitzgerald, David L. Vaughan and John
W. Simpson were on the brief, for intervenor, Hughes
Airwest.

Ralph B. Jordan and Dennis A. Barlow and Robert E.
Moock were on the brief, for Amicus Curiae, City of Kern
and City of Visalia.

7

Also Emory N. Ellis, Jr. entered an appearance for inter-
venors, Western Air Lines and Texas International Air-
lines, Inc.

Also Edmund E. Harvey entered an appearance for inter-
venor, Trans World Airlines, Inc., in No. 76-2123 only.

Also Robert B. Nicholson and James F. Ponsoldt, Attor-
ney, Department of Justice entered appearances in Nos.
76-2123 and 76-2155.

Before: Wricut, Chief Judge, Bazeton and WILKey,
Circut Judges

Opinion for the Court filed by Circuit Judge Wiikey.

Wiikey, Circuit Judge: Presented for our review is an
order of the Civil Aeronautics Board (Board) in which
lawful fares were set for the transportation, by air car-
riers operating under Board certification, of interstate and
intrastate passengers in the intra-California and intra-
Texas markets. Dual economic regulation by federal and
state agencies have produced a conflict. In a broader sense,
our review concerns the authority granted the Board by
statute and delegated to it by the Congress under the Com-
merce Clause, Article I, Section 8, Clause 3, of the United
States Constitution.

I. Backerounp

The Public Utilities Commission of the State of Cali-
fornia (CPUC) and the Texas Aeronautics Commission
(TAC) are state regulatory agencies which license intra-
state air carriers. In California intrastate fares are set by
PUC regulation, but in Texas competitive forces operate
to establish the fare structure without state regulation at
the present time. In both of these states fares have been
in effect for intrastate air transportation which are lower
than those set by the Board for interstate transportation.

8

Under the authority granted it by the Federal Aviation
Act? the Board authorizes air carriers and regulates the
fares they charge for air transportation in interstate car-
riage, as defined in §§ 1301(10) and (21)(a) of the Federal
Aviation Act.? Interstate transportation includes carriage
between two or more points within a state when it is part
of a longer journey commencing from or destined to an-
other state. It is obvious that air carriers transporting
interstate traffic between points in a single state also carry
interstate traffic. :

The term “interstate carrier,” as used in this opinion,
refers to a carrier holding a certificate of public con-
venience and necessity issued by the Board authorizing it
to engage in interstate air transportation.

Recognizing that fare differences existed between inter-
state and intrastate passage in the California and Texas
markets, the Board instituted a formal investigation* on
25 September 1972 to determine whether unjust discrimi-
nation resulted from the fares charged by interstate car-
riers in violation of the Federal Aviation Act providing:

No air carrier or foreign air carrier shall make, give,
or cause any undue or unreasonable preference or
advantage to any particular person, port, locality,
or description of traffic in air transportation in any

149 U.S.C. § 1301 et seq.

*49 U.S.C. § 1301(10):
Air transportation means interstate, overseas, or foreign air
transportation or the transportation of mail by aircraft.

49 U.S.C. § 1301(21):

Interstate air transportation . . . mean the carriage by aircraft
of persons or property as a common carrier for compensation or
hire .. . in commerce between, respectively—(a) a place in any
State of the United States ... and a place in any other State of
the United States... .

*Docket 24779, Interstate and Intrastate Fares in California and
Texas Markets.

Oe ee

ee

9

respect whatsoever or subject any particular person,
port, locality, or description of traffic in air transpor-
tation to any unjust discrimination or any undue or
unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage in any respect
whatsoever.*

The Initial Decision of the ALJ found that there were
discriminatory differences between the interstate and intra-
state fares but viewed the discrimination as justified be-
cause of the need of the interstate carriers to compete
with intrastate carriers in the local markets. The need to
compete was caused by the revenue losses the interstate
carriers would suffer otherwise. The conclusion reached
in the Initial Decision was that the discrimination was
not unjust.

The Board reversed the Initial Decision in determining
that there were no significant differences in costs incurred
and services rendered, that passengers were intermingled,
and that knowledgeable interstate passengers, through
“double ticketing,” were paying the lower intrastate fares
for travel which was actually interstate. In the opinion of
the Board these factors amounted to unjust discrimination,
because all passengers were not treated equally.

The Board concluded that only by eliminating the fare
differentials could a remedy be achieved. It reasoned
that while two levels of fares remained in effect, no
proper safeguard could be found, as the intent of the
passenger had to be revealed to the carrier to determine
which level was authorized. The availability of lower
fares would obviously create a reason for interstate pas-
sengers not to reveal their travel plans. Accordingly,
the Board ordered interstate carriers to charge fares at
rate levels which have been established for operations
throughout their domestic systems generally, such fares

*49 U.S.C. § 1374(b).

10

to be “constructed in accordance with the Board’s prior
decisions in the Domestic Passenger-Fare Investigation,
Dockets 21866, et al.,° except that such fares may be
lowered to the extent necessary to meet the competition
from intrastate carriers.”

In taking this action the Board relied upon the Su-
preme Court’s Shreveport decision’ interpreting the then-
existing Section 3 of the Interstate Commerce Act as
conferring power on the Interstate Commerce Commission
to regulate intrastate rates in order to eliminate unjust
discrimination against interstate movements, 49 U.S.C.
§ 1374(b) of the Federal Aviation Act having been pat-
terned after Section 3 of the Interstate Commerce Act.

The question before this court is whether the Board’s
order was in excess of its statutory authority, unsup-
ported by substantial evidence, or arbitrary and ca-
pricious.* :

II. Awatysis or Issves

A. Unjust Discrimination

We must initially determine whether there was sub-
stantial evidence for a finding of unjust discrimination
because of a dual fare level between interstate and intra-
state passengers traveling on interstate carriers.°

It is clear from the record that all passengers received
the same services, which were provided at the same costs,
and that interstate and intrastate passengers were inter-

*In this proceeding, which considered all aspects of interstate
fares in the forty-eight contiguous states, the Board adopted prin-
ciples by which interstate fares are established.

*Board Opinion, Docket 24779, 8 July 1976.

‘Houston, East & West Texas Railway Company v. United States,
234 U.S. 342 (1914).

*5 U.S.C. § 706.
*49 U.S.C. § 1486(e).

ll

mingled. It is also clear that some interstate passengers,
who have been termed “knowledgeable” because they
were aware of the dual fare structure, had made a
practice of purchasing separately the intrastate portion
of their passage. The effect is that intrastate passengers
and knowledgeable interstate passengers were traveling
within California and Texas at lower fares than all other
interstate passengers. On the basis of the record, there
was substantial evidence upon which the Board could find
unjust discrimination, and we uphold that finding.

B. Authority to Eliminate Unjust Discrimination

We move next to the question of whether the Board
exceeded its authority in establishing a single fare level
applicable to both interstate and intrastate passengers
traveling on interstate carriers.

Petitioners attack the Board decision by claiming that
the Board has usurped the power of a state to control air
commerce strictly within its borders and ousted the state
agencies from economic regulation of intrastate fares.
The argument runs that, in the absence of a specific
grant of authority to the Board, a state is free to regulate
commerce within its confines. The Board order has the
effect of regulating intrastate fares, a right reserved
to the state and one which the Federal Aviation Act does
not grant to the Board. On certain noncompetitive, or
monopoly, routes in California served only by interstate
carriers, the intrastate fares will be replaced with fares
at the interstate level. Predictions are made of an adverse
economic impact on the isolated communities served by
monopoly routes, in that the higher cost of air travel
will discourage passengers, effecting locality discrimina-
tion. With the termination of control by CPUC, the

12

California passenger will lose the right to participate in
determining the reasonableness of rates.

The Board asserts its authority to eliminate unjust
discrimination by setting a single fare level is grounded
in the Federal Aviation Act, supra, § 1374(b), and relies
upon the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Shreve-
port Rate Case.”

In Shreveport interstate carriers were applying freight
rates established by a Texas state regulatory commission
which were at a lower rate for eastbound and _ intra-
state shipments than for westbound shipments from
Shreveport, Louisiana, into Texas. The then-existing See-
tion 3 of the Interstate Commerce Act" provided that
it was unlawful for a common carrier to vive we'ne
preference to a particular locality. The court held that
Congress possesses the power to regulate and_ protect
interstate commerce even though intrastate transactions
may be controlled thereby. It went on to say:

It is also clear that, in removing the injurious dis-
criminations against interstate traffic arising from
the relation of intrastate to interstate rates, Con-
gress is not bound to reduce the latter below what it
may deem to be a proper standard.... Congress is
entitled to maintain its own standard as to these
rates, and to forbid any discriminatory action by in-

"Note 7, supra.

"Interstate Commerce Act Sec. 3:

That it shall be unlawful for any common carrier subject to the
provisions of this act to make or give any undue or unreason-
able preference or advantage to any particular person, com-
pany, firm, corporation or locality, or any particular description
of traffic, in any respect whatsoever, or to subject any particular
person, company, firm, corporation, or locality, or any particular
description of traffic, to any undue or unreasonable prejudice or
disadvantage in any respect whatsoever.

13

terstate carriers which will obstruct the freedom of
movement of interstate traffic... . Having this power,
Congress could provide for its execution through the
aid of a subordinate body... .”

The Shreveport opinion concluded that although Section 1
provided that the Interstate Commerce Act did not
extend to intrastate transportation, when unjust disecrim-
ination arises from the relation of intrastate to interstate
rates, Congress is competent to deal with it.

The Shreveport Rate Case doctrine has been followed
consistently in the ensuing years; /llinois Central R.R.
Co. v. Public Utilities Commission, Wickard vy. Filburn,"
and courts have repeatedly held that Section 137(b) of
the Federal Aviation Act was modeled after the Interstate
Commerce Act, the latter being an appropriate guide for
construing the former, Transcontinental Bus System v.
CAB.” In addition, the legislative history of the Civil
Aeronautics Act of 1938 indicates that Congress, although
asked to do so, decided not to limit the application of the
Shreveport doctrine in air transportation as it had done
in highway transportation.

The provisions of the statutory schemes of the Inter-
state Commerce Act and Federal Aviation Act limit the
federal agencies to the regulation of interstate commerce
but when unjust discrimination results from an intra-
state rate structure, the federal power preempts that of

**Note 7, supra, at 355.
8245 U.S. 493 (1918).
4317 U.S. 111 (1942).

©383 F.2d 466, 480 (5th Cir. 1967), cert. denied, 390 U.S. 920
(1968). See also Commonwealth of Virginia v. CAB, 498 F.2d 129,
143 (4th Cir. 1974); Flying Tiger Line v. CAB, 121 U.S. App. D.C.
332, 350 F.2d 462 (1965).

14

the state.” The separation of interstate and intrastate
passengers on interstate carriers was not possible in any
practical manner.

The court upholds the Board’s authority to eliminate
unjust discrimination by setting a single fare level to
apply to both interstate and intrastate passengers on
interstate carriers.

C. The Remedy

Applying a single fare to all travelers, the Board
eliminated the cause of the unjust discrimination. The
petitioners contend that the application of the higher
interstate rather than the lower intrastate fare was
arbitrary, so we next examine the evidence and the
rationale on which it was based.

The rate level set is particularly .important. in the
monopoly markets of California, which, because they are
served only by interstate carriers, will have an increased

“American Public Gas Ass'n, et al. vy. Federal Energy Regulato
Comm., —— U.S. App. D.C. ——, —— F.2d ——, No. 75-2105,
10 May 1978, holding that § 4(b) of the Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C.
§ 717c(b), does not authorize the regulation of sales of natural gas
in intrastate commerce, is distinguishable. That provision, like
§ 1374(b) of the Federal Aviation Act, note 4, supra, is limited by
its terms to discriminatory practices in interstate commerce, How-
ever, a comparison of the legislative histories of the two statutes
shows that the committees of Congress considered and rejected a
limitation to the Federal Aviation Act which would have prohibited
the Commission from exercising power over interstate rates. (Hear-
ings before Subcommittee of the Committee on Interstate Com-
merce, U.S. Senate, 75th Cong., Ist Sess., 1937, on S. 2, pp. 519-20;
Hearings before Committee on Interstate and Foreign Taine,
House of Repr., 75th Cong., Ist Sess., H.R. 5234 & H.R. 4652, p.
405.) The intent of Congress during consideration of the Natural
Gas Act was clearly shown to be that of not disturbing the then
existing jurisdiction of the States. (House Rept. 709, 6586, 75th
Cong,., Ist Sess., pp. 1-2.)

15

fare level.'’ Presumably the competitive forces on the
other routes in California and on the Texas routes will
operate to maintain a lower fare level, in accordance with
the exception made in the Board’s order.”

Cost evidence was not made a part of the proceeding
before the Board, but the ALJ early in the proceeding
ruled that basic costs would be determined by the prin-
ciples established in the Domestic Passenger Fare In-
vestigation (DPFI). The DPFI principles set a rate-
cost ratio which all interstate carriers have been required
to apply nationwide. This was done in a very extensive
rate proceeding to accomplish the objectives of (1) per-
mitting the carrier to obtain a fair return on investment
and (2) insuring that the cost of uneconomic operations
are borne by the carrier and not by the passenger. The
resulting fares are neither unreasonably high nor uneco-
nomically low, and since the ratio is applied equally, no pas-
senger is subsidizing another passenger in another market.

Neither the Federal Aviation Act nor court decisions
require an individual rate inquiry in each investigative
proceeding. The Shreveport decision affirmed the power of
Congress, here delegated to the Board, to maintain its own
standard on rates.

"Recognition was made in the Initial Decision of the Adminis-
trative Law Judge of the existence of fare differentials in the intra-
state monopoly markets where no effective competition was present,
a differential which was caused either by a direct order from CPUC
or because after the Board had yng a carrier’s interstate tariff,
PB 39) of the intrastate fare had to be obtained from CPUC.

While the Board opinion does not mention consideration of the
monopoly market situation, this was developed in the Initial Deci-
sion, which was adopted by the Board subject to the sole exception
of inconsistency with a finding of unjust discrimination. In summa-
tion, the Board knew and considered the effects of charging higher
interstate fares on intrastate monopoly routes.

We were informed at oral argument that the lower intrastate
fare had been filed by all carriers on all competitive routes.

16

It was logical, therefore, for the Board to rely on the
DPFI principle for setting fares in these proceedings as
being fully within its authority.

Petitioners and the amicus curiae have labeled as locality
discrimination the application of interstate fares in the
monopoly markets which serve isolated parts of California.
The interstate fares to be charged in the monopoly markets
will correspond to the nationwide fare scheme, treating
all passengers equally. When consideration is given to the
nationwide equality in the fare structure, the argument
lacks force.*®

The Board’s order permitting interstate carriers, as an
exception to nationwide equality, to reduce fares on com-
petitive routes in Texas and California follows established
precedent, since competition has long been recognized as
a justification for reducing fares.”

CONCLUSION

We find that the Board’s decision was rational and based
upon substantial evidence. The Civil Aeronautics Board is
empowered by Congress to preempt state regulatory agen-
cies in interstate commerce and accordingly the decision
of the Board is

Affirmed.

**We note that Hughes Airwest receives a subsidy of approxi-
mately $9 million per year for serving the isolated communities of
California. Hughes Airwest brief, p. 37. Obviously if Hughes Air-
west is permitted to charge the higher interstate rate, the federal
subsidy will be lessened.

See, e.g., Barringer & Co. v. United States, 319 U.S. 1, 13
(1943); Texas & Pacific Ry. Co. v. United States, 289 U.S. 627,
636-37 (1933); United States vy. Chicago Heights Trucking Ce., 310
U.S. 344, 352-53 (1940); Board of Trade v. United States, 314 U.S.
534, 546 (1942).

17

APPENDIX C
CAB Opinion and Order 76-7-23 Issued July 7, 1976

United States of America
Civil Aeronautics Board
Washington, D.C.

Docket 24779

Interstate and Intrastate Fares
In California and Texas Markets

Decided: July 7, 1976
Found that:

Differences between intrastate fares and interstate fares
charged by the federally certificated carriers party to this
investigation in the intra-California and intra-Texas mar-
kets at issue herein are unjustly discriminatory.

The federally certificated carriers party to this investi-
gation shall eliminate the unjust discriminations found by
establishing the fares levels now or hereafter on file with
the Board pursuant to section 403 of the Federal Aviation
Act for interstate travel for the transportation of both
interstate and intrastate passengers moving in the intra-
California and intra-Texas markets at issue herein.

The lawful fares for the transportation of both inter-
state and intrastate passengers in intra-California and
intra-Texas markets for the future shall be those con-
structed in accordance with the Board’s prior decisions in
the Domestic Passenger-Fare Investigation, Dockets 21866
et al., except that such fares may be lowered to the extent
necessary to meet the competition from intrastate carriers.

18

APPEARANCES:

As listed in the initial decision, and, in addition:

Alexander J. Moody, for United Air Lines, Ine.
Henry M. deButts, for Western Air Lines, Inc.

OPINION
By THE Boarp:

This proeeeding was initiated by Order 72-9-90, which
instituted an investigation to determine whether the differ-
ences between interstate fares and intrastate fares charged
by federally certificated air carriers in intra-California and
certain intra-Texas markets’ are or will be unjustly dis-
criminatory, unduly preferential or prejudicial or other-
wise unlawful, in violation of subsection 404(b) of the Fed-
eral Aviation Act of 1958, as amended.’ The investigation
was also intended to determine whether any unlawfulness
resulted from the differences between, on the one hand,
interstate coach of standard-class fares in the above identi-
fied markets and, on the other hand, the interstate com-
muter or economy-class fares in those same markets.

After public hearings, Administrative Law Judge Wil-
liam H. Dapper issued an Initial Decision concluding that
while the differences between the interstate and intrastate
fares in these markets did not violate subsection 404(b) of
the Act, the differences between the interstate coach or

‘The specified markets were Dallas-Houston, Dallas-San Antonio,
and Houston-San Antonio.
*The subsection reads as follows:

“(b) No air carrier or foreign air carrier shall make, give, or
cause any undue or unreasonable preference or advantage to
any particular person, port, locality, or description of traffic in
air transportation in any respect whatsoever or subject any
particular person, port, locality, or description of traffic in air
transportation to any unjust discrimination or any undue or
unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage in any respect whatso-
ever.

19

standard-class fares and the interstate commuter or
economy-class fares were unjustly discriminatory. Judge
Dapper also concluded that neither of the above-described
fare differences were unduly preferential or prejudicial or
were otherwise unlawful under the Act. In Order 75-3-2,
the Board stayed Judge Dapper’s initial decision, took
review of it, and ordered further proceedings on the sole
issue of whether the differences between the interstate and
the intrastate fares charged by the federally certificated
carriers in these markets are unjustly discriminatory,
unduly preferential or prejudicial or otherwise unlawful.
We found that further proceedings were not necessary on
the issue of whether the differences between the interstate
coach (or standard) class fares and the interstate com-
muter (or economy) class fares created unjust discrimina-
tions, since our determinations on these fares had been
enunciated in our decisions in the Domestic Passenger-
Fare Investigation, Phase 9, (Fare Structure), Docket
21866-9, embodied in Orders 74-3-82 and 74-12-109. Thus,
we adopted the Initial Decision to the extent it is not incon-
sistent with our Phase 9 decisions and found that compli-
ance with those decisions would adequately implement our
findings, rather than requiring the cancellation of one or
the other of the two fares, as Judge Dapper had ordered.

Following the issuance of Order 75-3-2, briefs and reply
briefs were filed,’ oral argument from 12 parties was heard

’Briefs were filed by the Bureau of Economics (the Bureau), the
People of the State of California and the Public Utilities Commis-
sion of the State of California (California PUC), Continental Air
Lines, Inc. (Continental), Hughes Air Corp., d/b/a Hughes Air-
west (Airwest), Ralph Nader and the Aviation Consumer Action
Project (collectively ACAP), the National Association of Regula-
tory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and United Air Lines, Inc.
(United). Braniff Airways, Inc. (Braniff), Western Air Lines, Inc.
(Western), Texas International Airlines, Inc. (T1), Trans World
Airlines, Inc. (TWA) and the Texas Aeronautics Commission relied
on their briefs to Judge Dapper as briefs to the Board. Reply briefs

20

by the Board‘ and the case stands submitted for decision.
The Bureau and ACAP oppose the Initial Decision on the
issue under review. The federally certificated carriers, the
California PUC, and NARUC all support the Judge’s
determination that the differences between the federally
certificated carriers interstate and intrastate rates between
the same pairs of intrastate points, and their use in the
manner disclosed by the record, are not unjustly discrim-
inatory. Two of the carriers reiterate their views to the
Board, previously rejected by the Judge, that the Board
should effect a more pervasive control of the intrastate
rates of the federal carriers or of the rates of the intra-
state carriers.

Upon careful consideration of the entire record, the pre-
sentations of the parties and the Initial Decision, the Board
has concluded and finds that the differences between the
interstate and intrastate rates of the federally certificated
carriers, and their use as disclosed by the record, are
unjustly discriminatory in contravention of section 404(b)
of the Act. We shall remedy this breach of the statutory
mandate by ordering the carriers to establish a single fare
applicable to all passengers for each city-pair market. We
shall provide that the single fare shall be established on the
same basis as the carriers’ other interstate fares, except
that the fare may be lowered to the extent necessary to
meet the competition of intrastate carriers. In reaching

were filed by the Bureau, Airwest, NARUC, United, ACAP and the
California PUC. Western’s motion to waive the 50-page limitation
for its brief, and the Texas Aeronautics Commission’s motion to
allow receipt of its brief out of time, both of which are unopposed,
will be granted.

*Beaumont-Port Arthur originally contended that the intrastate
and interstate rates over the Texas segments in question were
unduly prejudicial to it and unduly advantageous to Honston and
San Antonio if justified, and, if not, were burdensome to interstate
commerce. However, they did not participate in the proceedings
on review.

ee ae roe

21

this result we have departed from the conclusion reached
by the Judge. Nevertheless, except to the extent that his
findings and conclusions are inconsistent with the findings
and conclusions expressed herein, we adopt as our own the
findings and conclusions of the Judge as set forth in the
Initial Decision, a copy of which is attached hereto as an

appendix.

As limited by Order 75-3-2, this proceeding on review
concerns only the lawfulness of the difference in the two
sets of fares—one intended for interstate traffic and the
other for intrastate traffic—assessed in the California and
Texas markets at issue by the air carriers certificated
by the Board. These two levels of fares are in effect
(particularly in California) because the carriers (1) must
establish lower fares to meet the competition of the intra-
state carriers, and (2) are subjected to both State and
Federal regulation in the same city-pair markets. The
record reveals that travelers moving between points
within California are charged significantly higher fares
in many markets if their tickets indicate that the intra-
state flight is part of an overall journey which includes
travel across State lines. The same situation has existed
(and apparently now exists, albeit to a lesser degree) in
Texas.* Those passengers whose tickets do not show prior

‘California PUC contends that it has not compelled interstate
carriers to meet the competition of intrastate carriers for intrastate
passengers (PUC Br., p. 2; PUC Rep. Br. p. 8; Tr. 144). However,
Airwest points out that in 400 airport pair markets listed by it, 360
showed interstate-intrastate fare differentials, only three of which
were voluntary. Much of the problem arises from regulatory lag.
(Airwest Br., pp. 12-15).

*At the time this investigation was instituted, fare differentials
existed in all three of the identified Texas markets. Order 72-9-90,
mimeo., at p. 5. Subsequently the federally certificated carriers with-
drew their intrastate fares. Initial Decision at pp. 19-20. More
recently, however, intrastate differentials have been reinstated by
at least one federally certificated carrier operating in the San
Antonio-Houston market. See note 14, infra, and accompanying

22

or subsequent interstate air transportation, on the other
hand, are charged lower fares. The differences between
the two levels of fares are quite significant: at the time
of the hearing in this proceeding, the intrastate fare for
travel between Los Angeles and San Francisco was 21.7
percent lower than the comparable interstate fare in the
same market.” At the present time, differences remain
substantial, as the following three examples demonstrate :*

Burbank-San Los Angeles; San Antonio-

Francisco San Diego Houston
Intrastate $25.50 $12.25 $15.00
Interstate $30.00 $23.00 $31.00

Passengers moving in interstate commerce making local
trips within these two States fall within two categories.
The first category consists of stopover passengers, 1.e.,
those passengers making brief stops at one or more
points en route, such as a passenger traveling from
Seattle, Washington, to Los Angeles, California, who
might wish to spend a period in San Francisco before
continuing to his destination. The second category in-
cludes through connecting passengers whose fares are
either through fares (for those making on-line connec-
tions) or joint fares (for passengers making interline
connections). Fares for the second category of passen-
gers—both on-line and interline—will usually be lower

text. In any event, the issue of the lawfulness of such differentials
in the intra-Texas markets is not moot, since the federally certifi-
cated carriers operating in the intra-Texas markets can reestablish
them at will.

‘Initial Decision, at pp. 20-21 and Exhibit BE-D-101, cited
therein, showing differences ranging as high as 40 to 50 percent
in some markets.

‘Official Airline Guide, June 1, 1976. Fares are for one-way travel,
tax included, economy class.

23

than fares computed by combining the local interstate
fares charged by the Board-certificated carriers trans-
porting them to and from the transfer point, although
the possibility may exist that they might be higher than
a combination of fares utilizing the local intrastate fare
for the intrastate fare for the intrastate portion of the
trip and the interstate fare for the balance.°

For purposes of our decision in this case it is only
necessary to concern ourselves with stopover passengers,
and whether the dual fare structure is unjustly dis-
eriminatory as applied to them. Certainly, there are no
significantly different costs or service benefits associated
with the two levels of fares. Passengers paying the higher
interstate fares are intermingled with passengers paying
the lower intrastate fares on the same flights and receive
the same basic services and amenities.” The justification
for the differences rather lies in the historic definition of
interstate commerce, which distinguishes an _ entirely
intrastate journey from a trip, also physically intrastate,
which is actually a portion of a longer journey involving

*Not only is this possibility somewhat remote (depending upon
the length of the trip and the interstate competition) but the
through passenger, in order to take advantage of any possible sav-
ing, would be forced to purchase two tickets, one on each side of
the connecting point, and transfer his baggage himself at the con-
necting point.

°This has been conceded by most of the carrier parties from the
outset. See Information Responses BI-I-1; AA-IR-8; CO-I-2; DL-60-
IR: NAL-IR-7; RW-I-2; TXIA-IR-3; UA-IR-6 and WA-IR-13. While
interstate stopover passengers utilizing the lower intrastate fare
would have to retrieve and recheck their baggage, and might have to
purchase their tickets in two separate transactions (which they
probably would wish to do for overnight stopovers in any event),
neither of these differences involve cost savings which are of suf-
ficient significance to justify the fare differentials. Carriers do not
generally allow discounts to passengers who have no baggage to
check, nor charge more if a passenger utilized two tickets rather
than one ticket with separate coupons.

24

one or more movements across State lines.** Thus, for
example, if a businessman living and working in Houston,
Texas, decides while in Houston to meet first with a
evstomer in Dallas and then with another eustomer in
Chicago before returning to his home in Houston, he
should in theory pay the interstate fare for the first leg
Oi wis Journey, the trip between Houston and Dallas. If,
on the other hand, he decides to travel on to Chicago
only after he arrives in Dallas, he is moving in intra-
state commerce on the first leg of his journey and should
pay the intrastate fare for that same Houston-Dallas
trip. The distinction lies in the intent of the traveler,
determined before the commencement of the journey.

While the theoretical distinction between intrastate and
interstate commerce presents no conceptual difficulties,
the application of the distinction has proved to be accom-
panied by grave deficiencies in view of the actnal work-
ings of the market place. The carriers have no way of
knowing a passenger’s underlying intent insofar as the
passenger reveals it during the ticketing process, and it
is obvious from the record here that a great many inter-
state passengers are not disclosing the entirety of their
travel plans. Hence they are paying the lower intrastate
fares for travel which is in fact interstate.** Some car-

“The traditional test, adopted from Sprout v. South Bend, 277
U.S. 163, 168 (1928) by the Board in Eastern Air Lines, Inc.
Enforcement Proceeding, 40 C.A.B. 745, 747 (1964) is that “...the
destination which was intended by the passenger when he begins
the journey and which was known to the carrier and for which he
purchased a ticket determines the character of the trip.” As Balti-
more & O.S.W. R.R. v. Settle, 260 U.S. 166, 171 (1922) makes clear,
however, the movement is interstate, given the requisite intent,
whether or not that intent is communicated to the carrier or is
reflected in the itinerary stated on the ticket.

**For example, counsel for Braniff admitted at oral argument that
“many, many passengers are now using double ticketing. . .,” (Tr.
at 6), and counsel for Continental and Airwest made similar state-
ments (Tr. at 10, 26). United conceded in its testimony that “some

25

riers have indicated that they will even sell a separate
ticket at the intrastate fare level for the intrastate leg
of a journey to a passenger purchasing other interstate
air transportation, if the passenger so demands.” Another
carrier simply charged all local passengers the lower
intrastate fare during the period in which it published
such a fare.’* It is thus apparent that the more knowl-
edgeable interstate passengers moving in these markets
are routinely paying the lower intrastate fares, leaving
only those interstate travelers who are unaware of the
lower fares (or that they can be obtained simply by
pressuring the carrier or by making the reservation for
the intrastate leg of the journey separately) to pay the
higher fares.** There is, of course, no way to determine
the precise proportion of the interstate travelers who are
using the intrastate fares.** But it is clear, and we find,
that the number is substantial rather than de minimis.

We believe that the availability and use of the two differ-
ing fare levels under these circumstances clearly creates
unjust discriminations within the meaning of subsection

passengers” utilize double ticketing to avoid paying the higher fare.
UA-DT-1, p. 2. What is perhaps more significant is that no party
has argued that the practice does not exist. Those whose legal argu-
ments require that factual premise simply ignore the situation.
Additionally, the information responses of other carriers suggest
that the carriers realize that the passenger tickets often may not
reflect complete itineraries. See, e.g., -IR-4; NAL-IR-9, p. 1;
UA-DT-I, p. 2.

“See Exhibits CO-I-2, p. 3, CO-I-4, pp. 1-2; CO-I-7, p. 3; and
DL-80-IR, p. 1.
95). comments by counsel for TI at oral argument. (Tr. at 32,

It is hardly rising that this is so, since the intrastate fares
are published in the Official Airline Guide, and travel agents as
nd as frequent travelers would be aware of them in making travel
P

%*The carriers traffic reports reflect ticketed itineraries, not actual
itineraries.

26

404(b) of the Act. Unjust discriminations within the mean-
ing of that subsection occur whenever a carrier affords
different treatment to like traffic for like and contempora-
neous service under substantially similar circumstances
and conditions.’ We do not differ completely with Judge
Dapper’s conclusions that the fare differences are substan-
tial, the traffic is “like,” and the services offered are “like
and contemporaneous.” However, since interstate travelers
are paying both levels of fares, the question here is not
whether unjust discrimination would exist if those paying
the higher fares indeed had different origins or destina-
tions (and hence were given “unlike” service) from those
paying the lower fares. It has proven to be impossible to
restrict the lower fare to those in fact intending to travel
and traveling only within one State, and both the lower
and the higher fares are being paid by passengers receiv-
ing the same service in interstate commerce."*

The Initial Decision concludes that while discrimination
has been established, unjust discrimination within the mean-
ing of section 404(b) has not, hecause the circumstances
and conditions surrounding the use of the differing fares
are not substantially similar; the competition of the intra-
state carriers in the local markets and the dual regulatory

“Transcontinental Bus System, Inc. v. Civil Aeronautics Board,
383 F.2d 466, 481 (5th Cir., 1967), cert. denied, 390 U.S. 920
(1968); Domestic Passenger-Fare Investigation, Phase 5—Discount
Fares, Order 72-12-18, at p. 60; Summer Excursion Fares, 11 C.A.B.
218, 222-23 (1950).

_, We thus do not find it necessary to decide whether the different

_— status’ of the two classes of travelers (interstate stopover
and solely intrastate, or through and local) would render the ser-
vices they receive “unlike” and hence not unjustly discriminatory.
Additionally, since both favored and disadvantaged passengers are
moving in air transportation subject to our jurisdiction, we need
not reach the question, discussed in the Pan American Ferry Flight
Case, 18 C.A.B. 214 (1953), whether unjust discriminations can be
created by providing special privileges outside the scope of air
transportation.

27

policies arising from the local authorities, particularly the
California PUC, render the circumstances under which the
differing fares are used dissimilar, and justify the dis-
criminations established between interstate and intrastate
passengers in local markets. It is at this point that we
depart from the judgment expressed in the Initial Decision.

In most cases when carriers are faced with intense price
competition for a significant class of traffic it is generally
not unlawful to meet that competition by reducing rates
only for that class of traffic.*-This is what the federally
certificated carriers have done to compete for intrastate
traffic in these markets. The difficulty here, however, is
that the carriers do not limit the fare reduction to traffic
that is truly intrastate in nature. Rather, because the car-
riers are unable or unwilling to distinguish all interstate
passengers moving over the intrastate segments, some are
charged the high interstate fares for the intrastate seg-
ment while others are charged the lower intrastate fares.
The most significant factor in the determination as to
whether the interstate traveler pays the higher or lower
fare is the extent of his knowledge with respect to the
existence of the dual fare structure and the spread therein.”
To the extent that the traveler is fully informed he is

The use of specific commodity rates is illustrative of this prac-
tice.

2°No party has argued that “less knowledgeable” and “more
knowledgeable” passengers constitute groups justifiably receiving
different treatment. Those carriers seeking to preserve the status
quo, primarily stress, apart from jurisdictional arguments, the rev-
enue loss, amounting to about $10 million per year in these markets
(BE-D-104, p. 1) which would result from elimination of the differ-
entials. Any business corporation engaging in price discrimination
obviously believes that revenues are thereby maximized. But the
very purpose of subsection 404(b) is to prohibit unjust discrimina-
tions despite the fact that “the carrier may benefit therefrom.” Tour
Basing Fares, 14 C.A.B. 257, 258-59 (1951).

28

likely to be charged the lower fare while without such
information he is likely to be charged the higher fare.

This practice violates the very essence of the prohibition
against unjust discrimination, which is intended to insure
that all passengers are treated equally, and that limited
groups of persons do not receive a more favorable price
than others purchasing the same service. T'ranscontinental
Bus System, Inc. v. Civil Aeronautics Board, 383 F.2d 466
(5 Cir., 1967), cert. denied, 390 U.S. 920 (1968) ; Trailways
of New England, Inc. v. Civil Aeronautics Board, 412 F.2d
(1st Cir., 1969). While Transcontinental Bus and Trailways
both involved instances in which the carriers had specifi-
cally designated the favored class of persons in their tariffs,
the rule against unjust discrimination applies equally
where the proscribed discrimination arises from the effect
of carriers’ practices. This has been the established inter-
pretation of the prohibitions against unjust discrimination
and other forms of favoritism under the Interstate Com-
merce Act (New Haven and H.R.R. v. Interstate Commerce
Commission, 200 U.S. 361, 398 (1906) ; Union Pacific R.R. v.
United States, 313 U.S. 450, 462 (1941)), whose provisions
were the source of the language used in our statute.”

Nor can directives issued by State agencies operate to
compel the maintenance of rate discriminations, even
though such directives purport to affect only intrastate
traffic. In Houston and Texas Ry. v. United States, 234
U.S. 342 (1915), well-known as the Shreveport case, the
Supreme Court interpreted the then-existing section 3 of
the Interstate Commerce Act” as conferring ample power

* Military-Tender Investigation, 28 C.A.B. 902, 919-920 (1959).

**Act to Regulate Commerce, § 3, 24 Stat. 380. As it then existed,
section 3 was markedly similar to the present subsection 404(b)
of our Act: “Section 3. That it shall be unlawful for any common
carrier subject to the provisions of this act to make or give any
undue or unreasonable preference or advantage to any particular

29

on the Interstate Commerce Commission to require inter-
state carriers subject to its jurisdiction to establish and
maintain levels of intrastate rates found necessary to
eliminate unjust discrimination against interstate move-
ments. The Shreveport doctrine is, of course, now well-
established in the law.** Moreover, the Supreme Court long
ago recognized the applicability of the Shreveport principle
to a situation much like this one. In Wisconsin Railroad
Commission v. Chicago, B. & O. R.R., 257 U.S. 563 (1922)
(the Wisconsin Passenger Fares Case) the Court upheid
an order of the Interstate Commerce Commission entered
under section 13(4) of the Interstate Commerce Act direct-
ing rail carriers to increase their intrastate passenger fares
to higher levels which had been established for interstate
travelers generally. There, as here, both categories of pas-
sengers were being transported on the same equipment and
were in all other respects being given the same services. 257
U.S. at 565. There, again as in this case, some interstate
travelers utilized the lower intrastate fares through the
expedient of purchasing separate tickets at points within
the State. 257 U.S. at 566.

person, company, firm, corporation, or locality, or any particular
description of traffic, in any respect whatsoever, or to subject any
particular person, company, firm, corporation, or locality, or any
particular description of traffic, to any undue or unreasonable preju-
dice or disadvantage in any respect whatsoever.”

Section 3, of course, does not specifically refer to “discrimination.”
That was dealt with in section 2. Section 404(b) of our Act deals
with preference, prejudice, and discrimination. The historical basis
for competition becoming a justification for preference, prejudice,
or discrimination is traced with lucidity in Transcontinental Bus
System, Inc. v. C.A.B., 383 F.2d 466, 482-483 (5th Cir., 1967), cert.
denied, 390 U.S. 920 (1968).

**See, e.g., Wickard v. Filburn, 317 U.S. 111, 123 (1942) and
cases cited therein. Contrary to assertions made here, the Transpor-
tation Act of 1920 did not abrogate the Shreveport doctrine, but
rather added to the Commission’s existing power (over unjust dis-
crimination caused by relationships between specific intrastate and
interstate rates) the power to regulate all of a carrier’s intrastate
rates if those rates were so low as to create a burden on the carrier’s
overall operations.

30

The Commission’s decision under review was based on
a completely different principle than that relevant to this
proceeding, of course, since the concern there was with the
undue burden on interstate commerce arising from purely
intrastate operations, which the Commission had recently
been empowered to remedy by the expansion of its author-
ity embodied in section 416 of the Transportation Act of
1920, 41 Stat. 484, adding section 13(4) to the Interstate
Commerce Act. What is significant for the purpose of this
proceeding, however, is the specific recognition of the Court
in the Wisconsin Passenger Fares case that to the extent
that unjust discriminations against interstate commerce
were created by specific interstate-intrastate fare relation-
ships, the Commission’s order was properly grounded on
the principles previously established in the Shreveport
decision alone. 257 U.S. at 579-80. Since all the federally
certificated carriers’ flights at issue here are open to both
interstate and intrastate passengers,* and hence unjust
discriminations exist as to each of the carriers’ operations,
the Shreveport doctrine, as interpreted in Wisconsin Rail-
road Commission ease, compels the result we have reached
in this case. This case involved no “purely intrastate” seg-
ments, which reflects the fact that the national air trans-
portation system is predominantly interstate in nature.”

*‘Judge Dapper found that, overall, almost 50% of the federally
certificated carriers’ intra-California —— paid the interstate
fare. The percentage varies widely from market to market, of course,
but at least 10% of the passengers in even the smaller California
markets are interstate passengers. See Information Response RW-
I-7. Of course, not all of these passengers are interstate stopover
passengers. Although the data are less reliable, it appears that 40%
to 60% of the intra-Texas travelers carried by the federally certifi-
cated carriers in which fare differentials existed paid the interstate
fare in 1972. See Information Responses BI-I-5, TXIA-IR 2. See
also note 31, infra.

By = oer eye 8% of the 1974 domestic passengers reported by
the federally certificated carriers had origins and destinations at
points within one State. Domestic Origin-Destination Survey, 4th
QTR. 1974, Vol. VII-4-1, Table 6 (5.52% of the top 1000 city-pairs,
which themselves included 70.59% of total renutel traffic).

SO ES ET EET YL ASOD.

Ret ene are cae ee mL

31

Having concluded that the practice of charging differing
levels of fares in the markets under consideration creates
unjust discriminations against interstate passengers, we
must next address the question of what order should be
addressed to the federally certificated carriers to eliminate
these unjust discriminations. After carefully reviewing the
facts of record, the contentions of the parties, and the scope
of the proceeding we have concluded that these discrimina-
tions can be corrected only by eliminating the fare differ-
entials themselves. No party has suggested, and we have
not upon our own consideration been able to devise, any
safeguard which will suffice to prevent the utilization of
the lower intrastate fares by knowledgeable interstate pas-
sengers, so long as the two levels of fares remain in effect.*°
The “continuing intent” of the passenger as to whether an
interstate journey has been undertaken is a subjective fac-
tor which can be known with certainty only by the passenger
himself. And the widespread knowledge of the availability
of the lower fares in these markets will continue to give
the knowledgeable passengers ample reason not to reveal
the full extent of their travel plans. Thus our order to be
entered in this proceeding will require the carriers to
establish the same fares for the transportation of passen-
gers moving in intrastate commerce as those which they

*6Continental, while initially urging that the dual fare structure
here is not unjustly discriminatory, did propose, as a solution to
the discrimination giving rise to this case while preserving com-

tition been the interstate and intrastate carriers, that the public

e given an “informed choice.” This would be accomplished by
requiring the ticketing carrier to inform stopover passengers and
through connecting passengers of the lower intrastate fare and
ermitting them to choose between it and the higher interstate
are with through ticketing and baggage handling (Continental,
Br. pp. 10-13). The difficulty with this solution is that it knowingly
leads to the treatment of interstate trips as intrastate trips, contrary
to fact. Continental modified its presentation and opted for the
Bureau's position at oral argument (Tr. 14), which is similar to the
position we have adopted.

32

charge for the transportation of passengers moving in
interstate commerce between the same points in the same
class of service, in accordance with their tariffs filed pur-
suant to section 403 of the Act.’

It has been argued that we lack the power to compel fed-
erally certificated carriers to charge fares for intrastate
transportation at levels other than those authorized by the
appropriate State authorities.** This argument, however,
was also rejected in Shreveport itself. There,in responding
to the contention that the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion lacked the power to enter an order which “relieved the
appellants [rail carriers] from further obligation to
observe ... intrastate rates ...,” 234 U.S. at 359, the Court
said that:

“It is unnecessary to repeat what has frequently
been said by this court with respect to the complete
and paramount character of the power confided to
Congress to regulate commerce among the several
States. It is the essence of this power that, where it
exists, it dominates.

Whenever the interstate and intrastate transactions
of carriers are so related that the government of one
involves the control over the other, it is Congress, and
not the State, that is entitled to prescribe the final and
dominant rule .. .” 234 U.S. at 350-52.

The Court then concluded that Congress, in enacting sec-
tion 3 of the Act to Regulate Commerce, had intended that
all unjust discriminations affecting interstate commerce
should be corrected by the Commission, notwithstanding

749 U.S.C. § 1373.

**See, e.g., Brief of United, at pp. 6-9. The argument is inapposite
in that it refers to “purely” intrastate fares, whereas here we are
concerned with fares which are cal!ed “intrastate” but are in fact
being used both in interstate and intrastate commerce.

33

any “requirements of the local authorities which are
assumed to be binding on the carriers.” 234 U.S. at 359. See
also the Board’s earlier discussion of the Wisconsin Pas-
senger Fares case.

The Board’s decision here is no assertion of an authority
under the Act to control the intrastate rates of federally
certificated carricrs, or intrastate carriers, as such. We are
cognizant of the many cases cited to us to the contrary.”
But our determination here does not seek to control such
intrastate fares but simply carries out the mandate of the
Act to eliminate unjust discrimination in air transporta- »
tion. This we are empowered to do. And in doing so we do
not deprive the local authorities, such as the California
PUC and the Texas Aeronautics Commission, of the right
to exercise such powers as they have within the scope of
the established constitutional scheme governing Federal-
State relationships in this area.

Our decision that the fares for the transportation of
intrastate passengers should not differ from those estab-
lished for interstate passengers does not, of course, in and
of itself determine what the lawful levels of the interstate
fares should be for the future. On this latter subject, we
conclude that in the absence of competitive factors affect-
ing particular markets, the levels of the federally certifi-
cated carriers’ rates should not differ from those estab-
lished for operations throughout their domestic systems

*°Tllustrative are People v. Western Air Lines, Inc., 268 P.2d 723
(1954), appeal dismissed for lack of a substantial Federal question
in Western Air Lines, Inc. v. People State of California, 348 U.S.
859 (1954), and Texas International Airlines v. C.A.B., 473 F.2d
1150 (D.C. Cir., 1972). See also Order 72-9-90, instituting the inves-
tigation in this case.

34

generally.” The costs of rendering service in particular
markets or in general are not at issue in this proceeding.
Moreover, the interstate fares now in effect are those
which have arisen from lengthy proceedings in which we
thoroughly examined the structure of such fares. There is
no reason advanced for covering the same ground again
in the present circumstances. As indicated earlier, how-
ever, we recognize the competitive pressures resulting from
the presence of intrastate carriers in many of the markets
at issue in this proceeding, and it would be unreasonable
to expect the federally certificated carriers to compete
effectively with the intrastate carriers for intrastate traffic
if they were required to charge their interstate formula
fares. Moreover, the record demonstrates that support
which the federally certificated carriers derive from this
traffic benefits the carriers, and, as well, both the intrastate
and interstate passengers moving in these markets.”
Because of the detrimental financial effects that would fol-

*°It has been argued that the absence of cost evidence in this
proceeding precludes the issuance of an order pursuant to section
1002(d) correcting the unjust discrimination here found. We dis-
agree. Early in the course of this proceeding, the judge ruled that
basic costs were to be determined for this case in the then-pending
Domestic Passenger-Fare Investigation (Prehearing Conference
Report, at p. 3; Supplemental Prehearing Conference Report and
Ruling on Motion, at pp. 3-4) and we agree with this determination.
Orders in unjust discrimination cases have in many instances
required cancellation of tariffs containing “discount” fares upon a
finding of unjust discrimination without a separate reexamination
of the costs underlying the “normal” fare thus effectively reinstated.
See, e.g., Domestic Passenger-Fare Investigation—Phase 5 (Dis-
count Fares), Order 72-12-18; Tour Basing Fares, 14 C.A.B. 257,
262 (1951). Having determined not to establish rates based on the
separately established costs for each of these markets (or upon
average intrastate costs), requiring a “replay” of the entirety of the
Domestic Passenger-Fare Investigation in this proceeding to obtain
new nationwide cost figures would serve no useful purpose.

“TWA, for example, stated that all flights now serving intra-
California markets continue on to points in other States and/or
foreign countries. TW-D-10. United also noted that intrastate travel-
ers provide economic support for flights designed to serve interstate
markets as well as intra-California markets. U-DT-1, p. 7. Over 60%

SORTER

35

low from the federally certificated carriers’ inability to
participate in this traffic, it is clearly in the public interest
to allow them to maintain competitive fares so as to con-
tinue their participation. If they wish to do so, however,
they must charge lower fares to all of their passengers,
intrastate and intersiate alike, to avoid the discrimination
proscribed herein.”

In the interest of orderly implementation of our deci-
sion herein, we will defer the effectiveness thereof for a
period of 90 days. This will permit carriers who wish to
lower their fares to meet intrastate competition to file
appropriate tariffs. Since the competitive impact of the
intrastate carriers’ operations may depend on _ such
matters as whether the intrastate carriers operate be-
tween the same airports, the frequency of operation, the
equipment utilized, and the like, we expect the carriers
who file such tariffs to address all relevant questions in
their accompanying justification. We will also require

of Western’s flights in intra-California markets proceed to points
in other States and/or foreign countries (WA-R-5), and the carrier
claims that losing the ability to compete for intra-California passen-
gers impairs its ability to operate interstate and international ser-
vices. WA-R-TI, p. 1. All of National’s intra-California flights extend
to other States, since its authority is subject to a long-haul restric-
tion, NAL-IR-1l, p. 1. Losing the ability to carry local passengers
in these markets would thus result in a much greater reduction in
traffic than in seats available, which would in turn increase unit
costs. The carriers in the intra-California markets estimated that
requiring all fares to be established at the interstate levels would
result in an annual revenue loss of $28 million in 1974 (BE-D-104,
p. 1), which would not be offset by a corresponding decrease in
expenses. On the other hand, the loss resulting from the dilution of
fares by use of intrastate fares for the interstate passengers moving
in intra-California markets would amount to approximately $10 mil-
lion in 1974 ( BE-D-104, p. 1).

*2In instances where they choose to lower their fares to meet
competition, however, we reject the Bureau’s proposal to limit the
scope of our order herein to the local fares charged to st er
passengers and to allow the normal interstate fares established pur-
suant to Phase 9 of the DPFI to be used for fare construction pur-
ama (as in the case of joint fares based on the sum of the local

ares pursuant to the Board’s decision in Phase 4 of the DPFI). The
Bureau’s proposal would have the effect of leaving “a paper” fare

36

such tariff filings to be made on sixty days’ notice. It
should be pointed out that the situation with which this
investigation has been concerned has been in effect for
over twenty-five years. There have heen no serious com-
plaints (other than that giving rise to this investigation)
from either the industry, the public, or other regulatery
authorities, and the Board itself has been silent. Under
the circumstances, and in light of the provisions of Sec-
tion 102 of the Act and our authority under Section 1002,
we shall make our determination herein with respect to
the departure from Section 404(b) prospective in opera-
tion.

On the basis of the foregoing facts and considerations,
the Board finds and concludes that the difference between
the intrastate fares and the interstate fares charged by
federally certificated air carriers in the intra-California
and the intra-Texas markets at issue in this.case are
unjustly discriminatory within the meaning of Section
404(b) of the Act, and should be eliminated as provided
herein.

An appropriate order shall be entered.

ROBSON, Chairman, O’MELIA, Vice Chairman, MIN-
ETTI and WEST, Members, concurred in the above
opinion. JOHNSON, Member, did not participate.

for fare construction purposes only. The maximum joint fares pre-
scribed in our orders in Phase 4 (Order 74-12-108, as modified by
Orders 75-6-60 and 75-8-126) utilize the actual segment local fares,
not a hypothetical fare. While the Bureau's proposal would require
the modification of the Phase 4 order, the Jesicability or necessity
for doing so has not been demonstrated on this record. Our reserva-
tion of jurisdiction in Order 74-12-108 gives us ample power to
modify our Phase 4 decision whenever n . Moreover, we
would note the —— that using a hypothetical interstate
formula fare for fare construction purposes in markets where the
carriers lower their fares to meet intrastate competition could result
in joint fares which exceed the sum of the local fares actually
charged. In such cases, a knowledgeable interline passenger could
buy two tickets instead of a single joint-fare ticket, thus creating the
same kind of discrimination against the unknowledgeable passenger
that we found to be unjust in this proceeding.

37

United States of ..merica
Civil Aeronautics Board
Washington, D. C.

Adopted by the Civil Aeronautics Board
at its office in Washington, D.C.
on the 7th day of July, 1976

Interstate and Intrastate Fares in
California and Texas Markets

Docket 24779

ORDER

A full public hearing having been held in Docket 24779,
and the Board, having issued its opinion containing its find-
ings and conclusions, which is attached hereto and made a
part hereof,

IT IS ORDERED THAT:

1. The federally certificated air carrier parties to this
proceeding, within ninety (90) days following the adop-
tion of this order, shall establish and make effective a
single level of fares for the transportation of both intra-
state and interstate passengers in the intra-California
and intra-Texas markets at issue, such fares to be con-
structed in accordance with Order 74-12-109: Provided,
however, That said carriers may reduce such fares to
meet the competition from intrastate carriers upon
proper justification ;

2. Order 74-12-109 be and it hereby is waived to the
extent necessary for implementation of the proviso of
paragraph 1 of this order;

38

3. The carrier parties filing tariffs pursuant to the
proviso of paragraph 1 of this order shall do so on not
less than 60 days’ notice;

4. The Board retains jurisdiction to amend, modify,
or revoke, with or without hearing, upon petition, or
upon its own motion, paragraphs 1 through 3 of this
order; and

5. In all other respects the investigation instituted in
Docket 24779 be, and it hereby is, terminated.

By the Civil Aeronautics Board:

PHYLLIS T. KAYLOR
Acting Secretary

(SEAL)

39

APPENDIX D

CAB Opinion and Order 76-10-138
Issued October 29, 1976
Order 1243

United States of America
Civil Aeronautics Board
Washington, D. C.

Adopted by the Civil Aeronautics Board
at its office in Washington, D.C.
on the 29th day of October, 1976

Interstate and Intrastate Fares in
California and Texas Markets

Docket 24779

ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION

By Order 76-7-23, decided July 7, 1976, the Board found
that the differences between intrastate fares and inter-
state fares charged by the federally certificated carrier
parties to this investigation in the intra-California and
intra-Texas markets at issue were unjustly discrimina-
tory. The Board ordered the elimination of such discrim-
ination by requiring the establishment of a single level
of fares applicable to both interstate and intrastate pas-
sengers moving in the markets at issue. The order
required that new tariffs be filed on 60 days’ notice
within 90 days of adoption of the order. The new tariffs
were to be constructed in accordance with Order 74-12-
109, subject, however, to the proviso that the carriers
could reduce such fares upon proper justification to meet
the competition from intrastate carriers.

40

The time for filing petitions for reconsideration was
extended to August 11, 1976, and by Order 76-8-15, August
3, 1976, the effectiveness of Order 76-7-23 was stayed until
further order of the Board.

Timely petitions for reconsideration were filed by the
Bureau of Economics,’ Western Air Lines, Inc., Texas

International Airlines, Inc., the National Association of

Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the People
of the State of California and the California Public
Utilities Commission (PUC),? Trans World Airlines, Inc.,
and Braniff Airways, Inc. Answers to these petitions
were filed by United Air Lines, Ine. (supporting the
Bureau), The Texas Aeronautics Commission (support-
ing NARUC and PUC and opposing Braniff), and
Hughes Airwest (supporting the Bureau in part and
opposing NARUC and the PUC in part).

Upon consideration of the petitions and the’ answers
thereto, we find no basis either in law or policy for alter-
ing the basie conclusions or results reached in our orig-
inal opinion. Except to the extent that the ensuing dis-
cussion of some of the issues raised may serve to clarify
the Board’s position and thereby grant relief that has
been requested, we shall deny the petitions for recon-
sideration. We shall also terminate the stay of the effec
tiveness of Order 76-7-23 and provide that the new single
level of fares mandated by paragraph 1 of that order be
implemented within 90 days from the date of adoption
of this order on reconsideration.

*The Bureau filed a correction to its petition.

*NARUC, PUC, and the People of California filed a sin i-
tion. They also petitioned the Board to file a aches ethene oF 08
to their petition, which they lodged with the Board in two parts,
on August 23 and September 17, 1976. Their petition is granted and
both of their exhibits have been considered. Thereafter, Hughes
Airwest filed a motion for leave to file an unauthorized document,
namely, a reply to the second part of the supplemental exhibit of
PUC and NARUC. That motion is granted.

41

The Bureau seeks reconsideration of our decision as it
relates to joint fares. Pursuant to our decision in Phase 4
of the Domestic Passenger Fare Investigation, the maxi-
mum lawful joint fare is based on the sum of the seg-
ment local fares over certain specified routings, minus a
“terminal charge” for each interline connection.’ Insofar
as our decision would permit the carriers to lower their
fares in the markets at issue to meet the competition of
intrastate carriers, it could result in a reduction in joint
fares which are based on those local fares. In its brief
to the Board, the Bureau suggested that the effect of the
Board order should be limited to the fares charged to
stopover passengers and, in a footnote, proposed that in
eases where the carriers lowered their local fares to meet
intrastate competition, the interstate formula fares should
continue to be used for constructing maximum joint
fares. The Bureau also suggested that if, after the imple-
mentation of our decision a stopover fare (7.e., the sum
of the actual local fares) would undercut such a joint
fare, the maximum joint fare should be lowered to the
level of the stopover fare. We rejected this proposal
since it would result in the filing of hypothetical “paper”
fares for purposes of constructing the maximum joint
fares. We further noted that the Bureau’s proposal would
require an amendment of our Phase 4 order, and found
that no party had demonstrated on this record the neces-
sity or desirability for an amendment to the Phase 4
order.*

The Bureau bases its petition on a claim that our
decision would require reductions in joint fares resulting
in significant and unwarranted dilution of carrier reve-

*See Orders 74-3-80 and 74-12-108.

‘As the Bureau points out in its petition, we were incorrect in also
suggesting that the Bureau’s proposal could result in stopover fares
which undercut through fares.

42

nues amounting to an estimated $11 million annually. The
Bureau also notes that “paper” fares used only for con-
struction purposes are not novel to airline tariffs.
Braniff, United, and Airwest support the Bureau’s peti-
tion. In addition to the revenue dilution cited by the
Bureau, United claims that in instances where the intra-
state fare is less than the “terminal charge,” our decision
could require joint fares to undercut one of the segment
local fares. While both United and Airwest generally
support the Bureau’s specific proposal, Airwest also sug-
gests that in instances where a local fare is less than the
terminal charge, the joint fare should be set at the sum
of the local fares.

We remain unpersuaded that the requested amendments
to the Phase 4 order are necessary or desirable. Our Phase 4
order implements our conclusion in that proceeding that
joint fares should bear the specified relationships to the
local fares charged by the carriers. As a general rule,
therefore, if the carriers increase their basic fares, the
joint fares will also rise; likewise, reductions in local fares
will trigger reductions in the maximum joint fares. The
Bureau is requesting that we carve out an exception to
this general rule by allowing joint fares to remain the
same in the face of a reduction in local fares, on the basis
that such action is needed to avoid substantial and unwar-
ranted revenue dilution. However, since the carriers have
not yet filed fare reductions to meet intrastate competitors,
we believe it is premature to assess the revenue impact
of those fare reductions on joint fares. Moreover, the
Bureau’s estimate of revenue impact is deficient in a num-
ber of respects. First, its estimate of the volume of inter-
line traffic moving on these segments is unsupported. In
addition its analysis implicitly assumes that the maximum
joint fares are based on “as flown” routings over the intra-
state segments shown in its analysis and that the carriers’

43

present joint fares are at the maximum level allowed by
Phase 4. In fact, the maximum joint fare is not based on
“as flown” routings (except for extremely thin markets
or highly circuitous routings) but instead are based on
the routing producing the lowest joint fare (generally, the
most direct routing). Thus, the Bureau analysis does not
demonstrate whether any of the maximum joint fares will
in fact be altered by possible local-fare reductions in these
intrastate segments. Furthermore, a large number of joint
fares filed by the carriers—particularly in markets where
there is a significant amount of traffic—are not filed at the
maximum permissible level, but instead are filed at the
single-carrier fare level. Thus, even if our action herein
were to reduce the maximum joint fare it does not follow
that the fares actually charged by the carriers would be
affected. Accordingly, we cannot rely on the revenue impact
estimated by the Bureau; indeed, it appears likely that the
Bureau’s analysis greatly overstates the revenue impact.

The only concrete example cited by the parties is the
case of a joint fare from Knoxville to San Diego via Los
Angeles. United contends that since the Los Angeles-San
Diego fare ($11.34) is less than the current terminal charge
($15.74), our action would require a San Diego-Knoxville
fare which would undercut the Los Angeles-Knoxville fare
by $4.40. However, our Phase 4 order explicitly provides
that in situations where the maximum joint fare is less
than the fare to or from an intermediate point, the maxi-
mum fare shall be the fare to the higher-rated intermediate
point.’ We further point out that the carriers’ current joint
fare from Knoxville to San Diego is published to meet
a local (single-carrier) fare in that market. That fare
is $150.93, which is also the same fare charged between
Knoxville and Los Angeles. Therefore, our decision would

*See Order 74-12-108, ordering paragraph 1.

44

have no impact on the San Diego-Knoxville fare what-
soever.®

Furthermore, as we pointed out earlier, the carriers
would have to file a dual level of fares in each of these
markets; a local fare which it actually charges its cus-
tomers, and a hypothetical fare which presumably it would
only use for purposes of constructing maximum joint fares.
While the Bureau is correct in stating that such hypo-
thetical fares are used elsewhere in the carrier’s tariffs,
no one disputes that this exacerbates the problem of tariff
complexity.

As we indicated in our prior opinion, the Board is will-
ing to consider amendments to our Phase 4 order whenever
necessary, and indeed, the Board has amended that order
twice since the termination of that proceeding.’ However,
we continue to believe that requested modifications which
would have an effect on the level of fares must be sup-
ported by a detailed showing of the impact of the requested
changes.* The information so far provided is based either
on hypothetical examples or on erroneous interpretations
of our Phase 4 order. If the carriers wish to pursue this
modification in a petition to amend Order 74-12-108, we
will expect them to show each routing to be affected, the
number of passengers using each routing, the existing fare
and the basis upon which that fare is constructed, the fare
which would result from the proposed modification and
the basis of constructing that fare, as well as any fare
structure problems caused by the existing fare.

*It may be noted that for the 12 months ended March 31, 1975,
our O&D survey (Table 12) shows only two passengers using a
Knoxville-Los Angeles-San Diego interline connection.

"See Orders 75-6-60 and 75-8-126.
“See Order 75-8-126, pp. 5-6.

45

The issues raised by Western’s petition require only brief
discussion. No persuasive argument or evidence is advanced
to sustain the contention that the record does not support
the Board’s finding of unjust discrimination. The discrimi-
nation is manifest and neither competition nor the dual
regulatory structure serve as justification when both may
be satisfied and the discrimination eliminated through the
establishment of a single level of fares. Further, contrary
to Western’s contention, the Board did consider the dual
regulatory structure, and Western’s fears with respect to
its effects (including those situations where intrastate fares
may be higher than the interstate fares), are premature
and speculative.’ While it is true that the Board’s action
may create discrimination as between intra-California or
intra-Texas markets, such discriminations will only occur
where they are justified by competition, an appropriate
justification in the eyes of both the Board and the courts.
The continued recognition of such a justification in no way
constitutes a transfer of Federal authority to the States
as Western speculates may be the case.

Texas International Airlines (TXI) seeks clarification
of the Board’s order with respect to the length of the notice
that interstate carriers will be required to provide to estab-
lish lower rates to meet intrastate competition. It also
seeks the issuance of a policy statement by the Board
assuring the availability to interstate carriers of “short
notice” filing authority to meet intrastate competition, the
reasonableness of the “short notice” to be determined on
the basis of the prevailing notice requirements in the
respective States. The 60 days’ notice requirement in para-
graph 3 of the Board’s order is applicable only to lowered
interstate rates established pursuant to paragraph 1 of the

*Obviously, however, if an intrastate carrier’s fare is higher than
the normal interstate fare, there is no competitive necessity for

the interstate carrier to charge the higher fare. Cf. 14 C.F.R.
§ 221.165(d)(1)(iv) (a).

46

order. Because of the large number of changes that might
result from the Board’s order it was felt that a longer than
usual period of notice should be required in the interest of
an orderly transition. Once the initial changes are made,
the usual 30 days’ notice requirement will prevail. Of
course, a 30 days’ notice requirement will prevent TXI
from meeting intrastate competition if that competition
could change rates without limitation as to notice, which
seems to be the case in Texas. Under such circumstances
we would look with favor on requests for’“short notice”
filing authority. And we would view the notice require-
ments of the particular State involved as carrying great
weight in our determination. However, at this early stage
the Board is not prepared to arrive at a definitive view
and reflect it in a published statement of policy.

The petition for reconsideration filed by NARUC, the
people of the State of California, and the California PUC,
and supported by the Texas Aeronautics Commission, pre-
sents no new argument not previously considered by the
Board nor any compelling reason for changing our deci-
sion. The untoward results (from the point of view of the
petitioners) flowing from our decision seem to be wholly
speculative in nature,”° and no workable method for elim-
inating the discrimination we have found has been
offered.”

°The supplemental exhibits presented by California PUC indicate
the intrastate and interstate fares for the interstate carriers, as well
as the fares for local carriers, and the differences involved. However,
it is a matter of speculation as to the interstate carrier fare levels
that will be established in various intrastate markets.

“Contrary to NARUC, Hughes Airwest argues that the Board can
eliminate unjust discrimination in air transportation by action out-
side of such transportation. In support thereof it urges, rather
persuasively we think, that neither the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938
nor its presently effective successor prohibits such a course, while
the Motor Carrier Act of 1935 (§ 316(e), 49 U.S.C. 316(e)) unon
which the Civil Aeronautics Act was meticulously modeled in other
respects, contains such a specific prohibition.

47

TWA’s petition for reconsideration asks the Board to
reconsider its decision and to permit the charging of differ-
ent fares for intrastate and interstate passengers. TWA
argues that the Board did not address the situation where
there are no intrastate carriers offering fares below the
interstate level, but where a State agency refuses to permit
the federally certificated carriers to offer intrastate trans-
portation at the interstate fares. TWA’s expressed concern
is with a situation which, it claims, now exists in Pennsyl-
vania. However, the factual situation with respect to intra-
Pennsylvania markets is not within the scope of this pro-
ceeding and it is not appropriate for us to attempt to
decide it.

In addition to joining in the Bureau’s petition for recon-
sideration, Braniff also asks the Board to supplement its
determination that the departure from section 404(b) found
in this case was prospective in operation, with explicit
statements that it has not found that the fares charged by
the interstate carriers over the past 25 years have been
unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory, and that in fact
the carriers have not been unjustly enriched. Our opinion
speaks for itself. No finding of unreasonableness has been
made. The finding of unjust discrimination was explicitly
made prospective in operation. That determination and the
accompanying discussion make it clear, as Braniff asserts,
that there is no finding of unjust discrimination in the past
or that the carriers have been unjustly enriched.

Braniff also contends that the Board’s decision relies on
an unexpected theory not focused on in the proceedings,
and that the matter should, therefore, be reopened for fur-
ther proceedings. In this aspect its petition was opposed
by the Texas Aeronautics Commission. The Braniff con-
tention is tantamount to a belief that the parties are
entitled to the Board’s views before the hearings are con-

48

cluded. The issues set forth in the order of investigation
(Order 72-9-90) as expounded by the administrative law
judge (1.D., 48), encompass the Board’s determination
here. Having decided the case on the basis that it did, there
was no need for the Board to pass on other broader issues
encompassed by the order of investigation but no longer
necessary to a disposition of the case.

Hughes Airwest suggests that the Board specifically
state, relying on the Shreveport doctrine, that the inter-
state carriers do not have to comply with State-mandated
intrastate rates. We are not inclined to issue such a broad
ukase in this delicate area of State-federal relationships.
As Hughes Airwest suggests however, the Board does
stand ready to confer with appropriate State authorities,
should they so desire, as to how to secure court rulings on
disputed questions without unduly prejudicing the posi-
tions of carriers finding themselves unable to comply with
the conflicting orders of State and federal authorities.

ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED THAT:

1. The petitions for reconsideration of Order 76-7-23,
except to the extent granted herein, be and they hereby are
denied ;

2. The stay of the effectiveness of Order 76-7-23, be and
it hereby is dissolved; and

3. The provisions of paragraph 1 of Order 76-7-23 shall
be implemented within ninety-five (95) days following the
adoption of this order on reconsideration.

By the Civil Aeronautics Board:

PHYLLIS T. KAYLOR
Secretary
(SEAL)

49

APPENDIX E

CAB Order of Investigation 72-9-90
Issued September 25, 1972

United States of America
Civil Aeronautics Board
Washington, D.C.

Adopted by the Civil Aeronautics Board
at its office in Washington, D.C.
on the 25th day of September, 1972

Interstate and Intrastate Fares in
California and Texas Markets

Docket 24779

ORDER OF INVESTIGATION

By complaint filed September 28, 1971, Ralph Nader
and Aviation Consumer Action Project (ACAP) ask the
Board to suspend and investigate the jet coach and jet
commuter fares of United Air Lines, Inc. (United),
applying between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Cali-
fornia. The complainants allege that the difference be-
tween United’s jet coach and jet commuter fares which
are available to interstate and intrastate passengers and
the differences between the interstate and intrastate fares
in the Los Angeles-San Francisco market are unjustly
discriminatory. Complainant Nader alleges specifically
that he, while on an interstate journey, was required to
pay a higher charge for air transportation than was
required of intrastate passengers on the same flight
between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Complainant

50

ACAP joins Mr. Nader on behalf of those interstate
passengers who were or are discriminated against by the
higher interstate fares. The complainants also request
that other appropriate action be taken by the Board to
initiate civil and criminal proceedings for the purpose of
penalizing United for practices which violate the Federal
Aviation Act of 1958 (Act).

By answer filed October 13, 1971, United contends that
(a) the jet coach and jet commuter fares filed with the
Board are not subject to suspension, (b) the intrastate
fares of United are beyond the Board’s jurisdiction, (c)
even if the Board had jurisdiction over the intrastate fares
of United, competition from wholly intrastate air carriers
and characteristics of the Los Angeles-San Francisco mar-
ket justify different fares for intrastate and interstate pas-
sengers, (d) ACAP has no standing to file an enforcement
complaint because it has not shown that it is a “person” as
defined in section 101(27) of the Act, and (e) the complaint
requesting enforcement action was procedurally defective.

United’s fares in the Los Angeles-San Francisco market
are as follows:

Interstate® Intrastate®®
Jet Coach (Y Class) ........... $32.41 $30.56
Jet Commuter (K Class) ...... $20.37 $15.28

*Airline Tariff Publishers, Inc., Tariff C.A.B. No. 136 (August
1972)
°°Per complaint—Tariff not filed with Civil Aeronautics Board.

There are three preliminary matters which we shall dis-
pose of first. With regard to the request for suspension of
the interstate fares, the complaint was not timely filed.
The fares complained against had been in effect since May
16, 1971, and the Board does not have the authority to sus-
pend effective fares in interstate air transportation. Fur-
ther, the complainant’s allegation that United is violating

51

the Act because United’s tariffs covering intrastate fares
are not filed at the Board is untenable. United is not
required to file its intrastate tariffs with the Board because
transportation thereunder is not “air transportation” as
defined in the Act. (See sections 403(a), 101(10), and
101(21).) The complainants’ request that the Board initi-
ate proceedings against United for violations of sections
404(b) and 411 of the Act will also be denied. The facts
alleged do not warrant the initiation of an enforcement
proceeding for purposes of imposing civil or criminal pen-
alties upon United. Our disposition of the request for
enforcement action makes further consideration of United’s
contention regarding ACAP’s standing unnecessary.

As to United’s contention that the Board lacks jurisdic-
tion over its intrastate fares, we would only remark that
the complaint raises significant legal and factual questions
with respect to the relationship between interstate and
intrastate fares that need to be resolved. The principal
issue before us is whether the difference between those
fares results in unjust discrimination against interstate
passengers and, if so, what order should be made to cor-
rect the situation.

Fares applicable between Los Angeles and San Fran-
cisco, on the one hand, and points outside the state of Cali-
fornia, on the other, apply in many instances not only to
direct service between the points involved but also to serv-
ices operated via the other California point, provided no
stopover’ is made at the other point.’ Thus, the “interstate”

1Carrier tariffs define “stopover” as a deliberate interruption of

a journey by the passenger, _— to in advance by the carrier, at
a point between the place of departure and the place of destination.

*Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other California points are
common-fared by the interstate carriers with respect to many points
in the eastern United States.

52

fares applicable between Los Angeles and San Francisco
are used to construct a through fare when a stopover is
made at either point enroute to the other .

It may be true that, with respect to cost of service to the
carrier, a stopover passenger is little different from two
local passengers’® and that a higher fare may be justified
for stopover than for through passengers. On the other
hand, there would seem to be no difference, from either the
passengers’ or the carriers’ viewpoint, between a local Los
Angeles-San Francisco passenger (“intrastate”) and a
stopover passenger (“interstate”) who receive the same
service between the same points. At this stage, we are not
inclined to accept, without further exploration in an evi-
dentiary hearing, United’s argument that the fare differen-
tial is justified by competition from intrastate carriers.

Since the time the complaint was filed, we have found
that the same type of differentials between interstate and
intrastate fares exist in numerous intra-California mar-
kets, and the differentials apply to first-class and standard-
class as well as to coach and commuter (or economy) class
fares. For example, the following fares are listed for vari-
ous interstate carriers in the Official Airline Guide for
August 1972:

Fare Inter- Intra-

Market Class state state

Los Angeles-Ontario K 9.26 8.36
Los Angeles-Sacramento F 44.44 33.00
kK 23.15 16.67

Los Angeles-San Diego F 20.37 15.00
F 20.37 11.75

Y 16.67 9.00

Y 16.67 8.00

kK 14.81 7Al

Los Angeles-San Francisco... F 41.67 32.00
F 41.67 24.07

Y 32.41 30.56

K 20.37 15.00

K 20.37 15.28

S 37.96 30.56

Los Angeles-San Jose F 41.67 32.41
Y 32.41 30.56

K 20.37 15.74

Oakland-San Francisco F 14.81 9.00
Y 11.11 9.00

Oakland-San Jose __. F 14.81 13.89
Y 11.11 10.19

Ontario-Sacramento _. K 23.15 19.00
Ontario-San Francisco F 41.67 35.00
Y 32.41 30.56

K 21.30 16.67

Ontario-San Jose Y 32.41 30.56
Sacramento-San Francisco F 19.44 13.00
Y 15.74 11.00

S 17.59 15.74

Fare Inter- Intra-
Market Class state state
Burbank-San Francisco | F $41.67 $38.89
Y 32.41 30.56
K 20.37 15.74
Burbank-San Jose F 41.67 32.41
¥ 32.41 26.00
Kk 20.37 15.74
Fresno-San Francisco F 26.85 18.00
Y 20.37 15.00
S 20.37 19.44
Los Angeles-Oakland K 20.37 15.28

*See Order 72-4-42, dated April 10, 1972.

The questions raised bv the California fare situation are
not easy ones, and we believe they can best be resolved on
the basis of facts adduced in the hearing which we are
ordering herein. We are naming as parties to the proceed-
ing all the interstate carriers providing interstate and
intrastate service in these markets.‘ Since a situation simi-
lar to the intra-California one also exists in the following

‘American, Continental, Delta, Hughes Airwest, National, Trans

World, United, and Western.

54

intra-Texas markets, and the same principles are involved,
we will include in the investigation fares in these markets 2°

Fare Inter- Intra-

Market Class state. state
Dallas-Houston |. F $32.41 $25.93
Y 25.00 24.07

K 24.07

Dallas-San Antonio F 34.26 25.93
Y 25.93 25.00

K 25.00

Houston-San Antonio F 28.70 25.93
Y 22.22 18.52

K 19.44 22.22

We will expect the parties to address not only the specific
issues adverted to herein but also the broader issue of the
effect of such intrastate transportation generally on the
interstate fare structure.

In addition, the differences between the interstate coach
(or standard) and commuter (or economy) fares offered
by the carriers in the intra-California markets also raise
questions of discrimination, and we have decided to investi-
gate the relation between these fares. Following are exam-
ples in addition to those previously listed:

Y-Class K-Class

Market Fare Fare

Los Angeles-Oakland..........__ $32.41 $20.37
Los Angeles-Sacramento ....... 34.26 23.15
Los Angeles-San Francisco ....._ _37.96(S) 20.37
Ontario-San Jose ............. 32.41 20.37

United has cited few, if any, real differences between coach
and commuter services between Los Angeles and San Fran-
cisco.” According to the applicable tariffs on seating con-

Additional parties will be Braniff and Texas International.

‘United points out in its answer that coach service is currently
provided only on multistop flights, wheheas commuter service is
nonstop.

55

figurations, coach and commuter passengers may be seated
in like accommodations; and the availability of family-fare
discounts to coach passengers but not to commuter passen-
gers would seem to make little difference because the com-
muter fare provides a greater discount from the coach
fare than the 25% family fare discount available on coach
service. On the other hand, it may be that the cost of oper-
ating commuter service is less than the cost of operating
coach service. Any differences in the costs of commuter
service should therefore be fully explored in this investi-
gation. We do not, however, intend to relitigate here the
industry average costs of coach service nor the fare struc-
ture formula which are now under investigation in Docket
21866.

Upon consideration of all relevant matters, the Board
has determined that the relationships between intrastate
and interstate fares in intra-California and intra-Texas
markets, and between interstate coach and commuter fares
in intra-California markets may be unjustly discriminatory,
or unduly preferential, or unduly prejudicial, or otherwise
unlawful, and should be investigated.

Accordingly, pursuant to the Federal Aviation Act of
1958, as amended, and particularly sections 204(a), 403,
404, and 1002 thereof,

IT IS ORDERED THAT:

1. An investigation is instituted to determine whether
the differences between intrastate fares and interstate fares
charged by the carriers listed in paragraph 4 hereof be-
tween intra-California markets and between Dallas and
Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, and Houston and San
Antonio, and the differences between interstate coach (or
standard) class and commuter (or economy) class fares in
intra-California markets, including subsequent revisions
and reissues thereof, and classifications, rules, regulations,

56

and practices affecting such fares, or the value of service
thereunder, are or will be unjustly discriminatory, unduly
preferential, unduly prejudicial, or otherwise unlawful,
and, if found to be unlawful, to determine and prescribe
the lawful fares and classifications, rules, regulations, and
practices ;

2. Except to the extent granted herein, the complaint in
Docket 23859 is hereby dismissed ;

3. The proceeding ordered herein be assigned for hear-
ing before an Administrative Law Judge of the Board at
a time and place hereafter to be designated; and

4. Copies of this order shall be served upon American
Airlines, Ine., Braniff Airways, Inc., Continental Air Lines,
Ine., Delta Air Lines, Ine., Hughes Airwest, National
Airlines, Inec., Texas International Airlines, Inc., Trans
World Airlines, Inc., United Air Lines, Inc., Western Air
Lines, Ine., Ralph Nader, and Aviation Consumer Action
Project, which are hereby made parties to this proceeding,
and upon the California Public Utilities Commission and
the Texas Aeronautics Commission.

This order will be published in the Federal Register.

By the Civil Aeronautics Board:

PHYLLIS T. KAYLOR.
Acting Secretary

(SEAL)

WY

57
APPENDIX F

Initial Decision of Administrative Law Judge
Served April 23, 1974

United States of America
Civil Aeronautics Board
Washington, D.C.

Interstate and Intrastate Fares
In California and Texas Markets

Docket 24779

INITIAL DECISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
LAW JUDGE

WILLIAM H. DAPPER
Served: April 23, 1974

Upon:

Reuben B. Robertson III, Box 19367, Washington, D.C.
20036, for Ralph Nader and Aviation Consumer Action
Project.

A. Joaquin Yordan, 633 Third Avenue, New York, New
York 10017, for American Airlines, Inc.

This initial decision is rendered pursuant to the authority dele-
gated to Administrative Law Judges under Rule 27 of the Rules of
Practice in Economic Proceedings. It becomes effective as the final
order of the Board 30 days after service thereof unless a petition for
discretionary review is filed within 21 days after service thereof in
accordance with Rule 28 or the Board issues an order within said
30-day period to review upon its own initiative. If a petition for
discretionary review is timely filed or action to review is taken by
the Board upon its own initiative, the effectiveness of this initial
decision is stayed until further order of the Board.

58

B. Howell Hill, Arnold & Porter, 1229-19th Street, N. W.,
Washington, D.C. 20036, for Braniff Airways, Inc.

James T. Lloyd, 1225-19th Street, N. W., Washington,
D.C. 20036, for Continental Air Lines, Inc. ~

Anthony McKinnon, Delta Air Lines, Inc., Atlanta Air-
port, Atlanta, Georgia 30320, for Delta Air Lines, Inc.

Richard A. Fitzgerald, Hughes Airwest, San Francisco
International Airport, San Francisco, California 94128, for
Hughes Airwest. ;

Andrew T. A. Macdonald, 1666 K Street, N. W., Wash-
ington, D.C. 20006, for National Airlines, Inc.

Emory N. Ellis, Jr., 1140 Connecticut Ave., N. W., Wash-
ington, D.C. 20036, for Texas International Airlines, Inc.

George N. Kenyon, Jr., 605 Third Avenue, New York,
New York 10016, for Trans World Airlines, Inc..

Richard A. Hyde, Box 66100, Chicago, Illinois 60666, for
United Air Lines, Inc.

Ernest T. Kaufmann, 6060 Avion Drive, Los Angeles,
California 90009, for Western Air Lines, Inc.

Theodore I. Seamon, 700 Woodward Building, Washing-
ton, D.C. 20005, for Wien Consolidated Airlines, Ine.

V. Alice Campbell, P.O. Box 3150, Beaumont, Texas
77704, for Beaumont Port Arthur Parties (Beaumont Cham-
ber of Commerce, the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce,
the Commissioner’s Court of Jefferson County, Texas).

Scott K. Carter, California State Building, San Fran-
cisco, Calif. 94102, for People of the State of California and
The Public Utilities Commission of the State of California.

J. Kerwin Rooney, 66 Jack London Square, Oakland,
California 94607, for Port of Oakland.

59

Rex H. White, Jr., P.O. Box 12548, Capitol Station,
Austin, Texas 78711, for Texas Aeronautics Commission.

Paul Rodgers, 1102 ICC Building, P.O. Box 684, Wash-
ington, D.C. 20044, for National Association of Regulatory
Utility Commissioners.

Lawrence R. Myers, Civil Aeronautics Board, 1825 Con-
necticut Ave., N. W., Washington, D.C. 20428, for the Bu-

reau of Economics.

60

United States of America
Civil Aeronautics Board
Washington, D.C.

Interstate and Intrastate Fares in
California and Texas Markets

Docket 24779

The differences between the intrastate fares and the in-
terstate fares charged by the carriers certificated by the
Board between intra-California markets and between Dallas
and Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, and Houston and
San Antonio, are not unjustly discriminatory, unduly pref-
erential, unduly prejudicial or otherwise unlawful.

The differences between the interstate coach (or stan-
dard) class fares and the interstate commuter (or economy)
class fares offered by the interstate carriers which are par-
ties to this investigation, for transportation between points
in California result in unjust discrimination against pas-
sengers charged the local fare with the higher class of serv-
ice in a given market and; accordingly, the interstate car-
riers are ordered to remove the differences in the published
local fares by cancelling one of the two designated classes
of fares in each of the markets for which a published dif-
ferential exists and refraining from publishing two differ-
ent local fares for the same or similar transportation serv-
ices in such markets.

Appearances:
A, Joaquin Yordan, for American Airlines, Inc.
B. Howell Hill, for Braniff Airways, Inc.
James T. Lloyd, for Continental Air Lines, Inc.
Anthony McKinnon, for Delta Air Lines, Inc.

61

John W. Simpson and Richard H. Fitzgerald for Hughes
Airwest.

Andrew T. A. Macdonald, for National Airlines, Inc.
Emory N. Ellis, Jr., for Texas International Airlines, Inc.
Robert P. Silverberg, for Trans World Airlines, Inc.
Richard A. Hyde, for United Air Lines, Inc.

Ernest T. Kaufmann, Howard L. Culver and G. P.
O’Grady, for Western Air Lines, Inc.

Theodore I. Seamon, for Wien Air Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Reuben B. Robertson III, for Aviation Consumer Action
Project and Ralph Nader.

V. Alice Campbell, for Beaumont Port Arthur Parties.

Scott K. Carter, for the State of California and the Pub-
lic Utilities Commission of the State of California.

Sumner J. Katz, for the National Association of Regu-
latory Utility Commissioners.

Rex ft. White, Jr., for the Texas Aeronautics Commis-
sion.

Lawrence R. Myers, for the Bureau of Economics.

62
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT .......
ISSUES

DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKETS INVOLVED AND
THE REGULATORY BODIES CONCERNED ..........

DESCRIPTION OF THE FARES IN QUESTION
POSITIONS OF THE PARTIES....................

Air Carrier Parties ap OTD ee ares

Ralph Nader and ACAP Nee
Beaumont-Port Arthur Parties |...

California Public Utilities Commission

NARUC .... }

Texas Aeronautics Commission rertony aet
Bureau of Economics | Rk a yA AEE EE WD

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS - PAIS SS SME Reis TN he

THE LAWFULNESS OF THE INTERSTATE/INTRA-
STATE FARE DIFFERENTIAL ............

NIAQAkonv pe

1. Unjust Discrimination | Pe tah earn, ee

2. Undue Preference and Undue Prejudice OS ae en

THE LAWFULNESS OF THE INTERSTATE COACH/
INTERSTATE COMMUTER FARE DIFFERENTIAL .

PROPOSALS TO DISMANTLE THE DUAL REGULATION
EEE Ree co cenegh ann ea nter fie po ced) ws ws ka

ULTIMATE CONCLUSIONS
ORDER

101

63

INITIAL DECISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
LAW JUDGE WILLIAM H. DAPPER

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

This proceeding was instituted by Order 72-9-90, Sep-
tember 25, 1972, to determine whether the differences be-
tween the intrastate fares and the interstate fares charged
by the carriers certificated by the Board between intra-Cali-
fornia markets and in three intra-Texas markets are or
will be unjustly discriminatory, unduly preferential, or un-
duly prejudicial, and if found to be unlawful, to determine
and prescribe the lawful fares. The investigation also in-
cludes the issue of whether the differences between the
interstate coach (or standard) class and the commuter (or
economy) class fares charged by the carriers certificated
by the Board between intra-California markets are or will
be unjustly discriminatory, unduly preferential, unduly
prejudicial, or otherwise unlawful, and, if found to be un-
lawful, to determine and prescribe the lawful fares.

The genesis of this investigation was a complaint filed on
September 23, 1971, in Docket 23859, by Ralph Nader and
the Aviation Consumer Action Project (ACAP). The com-
plainants alleged that the differences between the jet coach
and jet commuter fares charged by United Air Lines,
Ine. (United) and which are available to interstate and
intrastate passengers, and the differences between the in-
terstate and intrastate fares in the Los Angeles-San |'ran-
cisco market are unjustly discriminatory. The complain-
ants sought suspension of United’s interstate fares; and
asked the Board to initiate civil and criminal proceedings
against United for failing to file its intrastate tariffs with
the Board, and for allegedly violating sections 404(b) and
411 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended.

The Board acted on the complaint by Order 72-9-90, Sep-
tember 25, 1972 and concluded that it did not have the

64

authority to suspend effective fares in interstate air trans-
portation; that United is not required to file its intrastate
tariffs because transportation thereunder is not “air trans-
portation” as defined in the Act; and that proceedings
should not be initiated against United for violation of sec-
tions 404(b) and 411 of the Act because the facts alleged
by the complainants did not warrant the initiation of an
enforcement proceeding for the purpose of imposing civil
or criminal penalties on United. Although, for the most
part, the relief requested by the complainants was denied,
the instant investigation was nonetheless instituted after
the Board found that there were, in fact, differences in
the interstate and intrastate fares charged by various fed-
erally certificated carriers in numerous intra-California
markets, and in three intra-lexas markets. The Board
noted that the principal issue is whether the difference in
fares results in unjust discrimination against interstate
passengers and, if so, what order should be issuéd to cor-
rect the situation.

The air carrier parties to this proceeding are: American
Airlines, Inc. (American) ; Braniff Airways, Inc. (Braniff) ;
Continental Air Lines, Inc. (Continental) ; Delta Air Lines,
Ine. (Delta); Hughes Air Corp. (Hughes Airwest); Na-
tional Airlines, Inc. (National); Texas International Air-
lines, Inc. (TXIA); Trans World Airlines, Inc. (TWA);
United; Western Air Lines, Inc. (Western) ; and Wien Con-
solidated Airlines, Inc. (Wien).' The above listed air car-
riers (with the exception of Wien) charge or did charge
an interstate and an intrastate fare in one or more of the
markets in issue herein and hence were made parties to
this proceeding by the order of investigation.

‘Wien was granted leave to intervene by Order 73-5-88, May 17,
1973. Wien did not, however, submit any exhibits nor did it file an
opening or reply brief.

65

The People of the State of California and the Public
Utilities Commission of the State of California (Califor-
nia), the Texas Aeronautics Commission (Texas), and the
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
(NARUC) were granted leave to intervene by Order 73-5-
88, May 17, 1973. In addition, the cities of Dallas and Ft.
Worth, Texas; and the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce,
Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, Commissioners Court
of Jefferson County, Texas (Beaumont-Port Arthur
Parties) were granted leave to intervene by Orders 73-6-56,
and 73-7-84, dated June 15, 1973 and July 17, 1973, respec-
tively.? The Board’s Bureau of Economics is also a party
to this proceeding.

The usual procedural steps have been completed, ard
the hearing has been held. Opening briefs to the Adminis-
trative Law Judge were filed on December 3, 1973,’ and
reply briefs were filed on January 2, 1974.‘

Based upon a consideration of tne record and the
arguments of the parties, it is concluded that the differ-
ences between the local fares charged to intrastate pas-
sengers and the local fares charged to interstate passen-
gers by the interstate carriers which are parties to this
investigation, between points in California and between
Dallas and Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, and Hous-
ton and San Antonio, are not unjustly discriminatory,
unduly preferential, unduly prejudicial or otherwise un-
lawful. On the other hand, it is concluded that the differ-

*The Dallas-Ft. Worth parties did not submit exhibits nor did they
file an opening or reply brief.

*Opening briefs were filed by Braniff, Continental, Hughes Air-
west, TXIA, TWA, United, Western, Ralph Nader and ACAP,
California, United, NARUC, Texas, and the Bureau of Economics.

‘Reply briefs were filed by Delt:, Hughes Airwest, TWA, United,
Western, the Beaumont-Port Arthur Parties, California, NARUC,
—_ -— the Bureau of Economics which filed a letter in lieu

rief.

ences between the local interstate coach (or standard)
and commuter (or economy) class fares charged by the
interstate carriers which are parties to this investiga-
tion for transportation between points in California re-
sult in unjust discrimination against passengers charged
the local fare for the higher class of service in a given
market.

ISSUES

The primary issues in this proceeding, as specified by
the Board in Order 72-9-90, dated September 25, 1972,
are whether the differences between intrastate fares and
interstate fares in intra-California markets and between
Dallas and Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, and Hous-
ton and San Antonio, and the differences between inter-
state coach (or standard) class or commuter (or econ-
omy) class fares in the intra-California markets, including
subsequent revisions and reissues thereof, and classifica-
tions, rules, regulations, and practices affecting such fares,
or the value of service thereunder, are or will be unjustly
discriminatory, unduly preferential, unduly prejudicial, or
otherwise unlawful, and, if found to be unlawful, to deter-
mine and prescribe the lawful fares and classifications,
rules, regulations, and practices.

In addition, the following subissues were identified as
among those to be considered in the investigation:

1, What is the Board’s jurisdiction with regard to the
interstate fares and classifications, rules, regulations,
and practices affecting such fares of the interstate air
carriers?

2. Are the present criteria used by the carriers for
determining whether a passenger is an interstate passen-
ger or an intrastate passenger for the purpose of com-
puting fares unjust or unreasonable, or unjustly dis-

67

criminatory, or unduly preferential or prejudicial? If so,
what are the lawful criteria?

(a) What advertising and promotion of intrastate
fares do the interstate carriers undertake to inform
interstate passengers of such fares? Should the inter-
state air carriers be required to inform interstate pas-
sengers of the differences between interstate and in-
trastate fares and the availability thereof?

3. What are the differences, if any, in costs applicable
to the transportation of interstate stopover passengers
compared to intrastate passengers in the applicable mar-
kets?

4. What are the differences, if any, in costs applicable
to the transportation of coach (or standard) class pas-
sengers compared to commuter (or economy) class pas-
sengers in the applicable markets?

5. If there are cost differences, are the (a) interstate/
intrastate and (b) commuter (or economy) /interstate
coach fare differentials reasonably related to these cost
differences?

6. Do the interstate fares and intrastate fares under
investigation result in charging different fares for like
and contemporaneous service in the transportation of
like traffic under substantially similar circumstances and
conditions ?

7. Are the differences between the intrastate fares and
the interstate fares justified by competition, promotional
considerations, value of service and/or other considera-
tions besides differences, if any, in costs?

8. Do the coach (standard) and commuter (economy)
fares under investigation result in charging different

fares for like and contemporaneous service in the trans-
portation of like traffic under substantially similar cir-
cumstances and conditions?

9. Are the differences between the coach (or standard)
class fares and the commuter (or economy) class fares
justified by promotional considerations, value of service,
and/or other considerations besides differences, if any,
in costs?

10. What is the effect, if any, of the intrastate fares
on the interstate fare structure?

11. What is the impact, if any, of the intrastate fares
on the system revenues of the interstate carriers and on
federal subsidy?

12. What is the impact, if any, of the intrastate fares
on: (a) the level of interstate fares in the same market;
(b) the level of interstate fares in other markets, includ-
ing the breaking of fares?

13. If the intrastate fares of the interstate carriers
are not reasonably related to differences in costs of
transporting mterstate and intrastate passengers, to
what extent, if any, do such fares impose a burden on
interstate passengers?

14. What is the effect, if any, of the commuter (or
economy) fares on the movement of traffic and on reve-
nues? What diversion, if any, from other classes of
service and types of fares results from the commuter
(or economy) fares?

15. If the differences between the intrastate and inter-
state fares are found unlawful, what corrective order
should be issued by the Board?

69

16. If the differences between the coach (or standard)
and commuter (or economy) class fares are found unlaw-
ful, what corrective order should be issued by the Board?

DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKETS INVOLVED
AND THE REGULATORY BODIES CONCERNED

The fare differentials under investigation herein are a
product of the system of dual regulation practiced by the
California Public Utilities Commission and the Civil Aero-
nautics Board insofar as the State of California is con-
cerned; and by the Texas Aeronautics Commission and the
Civil Aeronautics Board insofar as the State of Texas is
concerned.

It is appropriate at this point to briefly describe the jur-
isdiction asserted by these regulatory agencies insofar as
it is pertinent herein. The Civil Aeronautics Board, of
course, is the federal agency responsible for the economic
regulation of civil aviation. The Board is established by
and derives its authority from the Federal Aviation Act of
1958, as amended. Among other things, the interstate fares
of those federally certificated carriers engaging in inter-
state air transportation in the States of California and
Texas are subject to the jurisdiction of and the approval
of the Board.’

The State of California through the California Public
Utilities Commission exercises jurisdiction over the fares
of non-federally certificated carriers operating within the
borders of California (Pacific Southwest Airlines and Air
California, for example). In addition, the California PUC
exercises jurisdiction over the intrastate fares of federally
certificated carriers within the borders of California
(United and Western, for example).

‘One of the issues herein is whether the Board has and should
exercise jurisdiction over the intrastate fares of federally certificated
carriers,

70

In the State of Texas a somewhat different situation ob-
tains insofar as regulation of fares is concerned. In that
state, the Texas Aeronautics Commission exercises juris-
diction over the licensing of intrastate carriers; and South-
west Airlines, an intrastate operator of large equipment,
was licensed in recent years by the Texas Aeronautics Com-
mission. That Commission, however, apparently does not
regulate the fares charged by the intrastate carrier or the
intrastate fares charged by the federally certificated car-
riers. Thus in Texas, the intrastate carrier as well as the
interstate carriers have been free to lower or raise their
fares at will and have, in fact, done so on numerous occa-
sions.

The markets under consideration in this case are all mar-
kets in California and Texas’ having both interstate and
intrastate fares, end all California markets having both
coach and commuter interstate fares. The California mar-
kets are numerous. As the Bureau points out, Hughes Air-
west which serves 24 California stations has submitted a
list of over 400 markets approximately 360 of which show
an interstate-intrastate fare differential. United which
serves 24 California stations has submitted a list of 64 mar-
kets for which such fare differentials exist, and Western
which serves 8 stations has listed 25 such fare differential
markets. See e.g. Exhibits RW-I-1, UA-IR-1, and WA-
IR-17.’ On the other hand, American, Continental, Delta,

*The Texas markets are specifically identified in the order of
inv

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/brief%3Amicro_IA40385005_1690%3A2. Public record. Not legal advice.
