If your summer travel plans include time on an airliner, be warned: Since early June, we've seen big (and depressingly regular) spikes on "airport delays."

The Department of Transportation this week said flight delays are at their highest level in over a decade. They also mentioned that "reports of mishandled baggage" have risen. We expect that those of you who've been searching on "lost luggage," "lost baggage," and "delayed baggage status" may have already noticed that problem.

A measure of our sympathy goes to the gate agents and flight attendants whose jobs must be so fun this year. It can't be fulfilling to face thwarted travelers daily, especially when conditions have deteriorated to the point that passengers have taken to the Web with accounts of their travel nightmares. How many more months of search spikes on "flight delays" until a Passengers Bill of Rights comes to pass?