The next time you buy an ticket, ask your airline for a copy of their Contract of Carriage, or if you have an old, paper airline ticket receipt lying around the house, grab it and flip to the section labeled Conditions of Contract. You may need a large magnifying glass to make out what is written in these documents, but this fine print is actually very important reading if you are seeking to understand your rights as a passenger.

As you scan through this legal verbiage, you'll notice references to Tariffs, Carrier's Contract of Carriage, and Related Regulations. These items are statements that have been filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation by the airline. These statements outline your rights in detail and are very important.

For instance, if your flight is delayed or canceled, these documents let you know when the airline must put you on another flight, on another airline, or if they have to refund your money. These documents also tell you how much luggage you can check, when you can get a refund on a non-refundable ticket, and what you can demand if you're bumped.

If an airline violates the filed Contract of Carriage or the Conditions of Contract, it can be held legally accountable for its actions.

Note that your electronic ticket receipt may not include the Conditions of Contract on it. Don't be shy. Always request a full copy of the following from your airline. (They make great late night reading!):

• The airline's Conditions of Contract.
• The airline's Tariff and Contract of Carriage statements, filed with the Department of Transportation.

Remember that you can obtain an individual airline's Contract of Carriage directly from the airline at no charge to you. In accordance with federal regulations, an airline's Contract of Carriage must be made available at any location where that airline's tickets are sold within the U.S.

You can also view most airlines' Contract of Carriage online:

• American Airlines
• Continental Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Northwest Airlines
• Southwest
• United
• US Airways

Passenger Behavior

Not only to airlines have a certain responsibility, but so do you. When you fly, you are prohibited by Federal Law from doing the following:

• Threatening, intimidating, or interfering with a crewmember
• Smoking on a nonsmoking flight or in the lavatory
• Drinking any alcoholic beverages not served by a crewmember, or creating an alcohol-related disturbance

Airlines are instructed to file a report with the Federal Aviation Administration regarding any incidents. The Federal Aviation Act provides for civil monetary fines and, in some cases, imprisonment.