Attention travelers: air travel's about to get a lot better. That's thanks to Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's proposed new regulations, which should instill some civility and transparency into what had been the wild west of air transportation. Among the proposed changes:

• Once you purchase for the ticket, the price is locked in. Later additions of fuel surcharges will not be allowed.
• If the airline loses your luggage you'll get a refund of your luggage fee.
• After you purchase your ticket, you'll have a 24-hour grace period to cancel if you like (great for those folks who accidentally put in the wrong dates and then get stuck with hefty cancellation fees).
• Higher penalties for the airlines when they bump passengers involuntarily off flights.
• Regulations requiring all fees be disclosed in printed airfares, so there are no surprises late in the process of booking.

And there are others. All in all, welcome changes, so thank you Ray!