The DOT decision seems kind of shortsighted. It really incents the airlines to eliminate their waiver policies that are added to help the traveler and just fly the planes empty when nobody shows up. The waivers are a voluntary measure taken by the airline to accommodate the passengers. Based on the agreed cancellation/change policy everyone agrees to when they buy tickets, the airlines aren't really under an obligation to offer waivers but they do in hopes people will travel later.