Okay, this is a hidden gem: “Two weeks after asking for public comment, the Transportation Department issued a clarification. It pointed out that federal law forbids it from adopting any peanut restrictions without producing a scientific study that shows airborne peanut particles can harm allergic passengers.”
Federal law forbids the banning of peanuts on airplanes. Are you kidding me? This little morsel of wisdom was buried deep at the end of a LA Times article about UPS offering ‘luggage boxes’ to save travelers money vs. the airline industry’s increase in luggage fees, reportedly up 33% YOY, reaching $770MM in Q1 2010.
There was a request for public comments on how peanuts could affect those allergic on airplanes, if they are handed out and consumed around the allergic individuals. Then this little backtrack, a little federal law which prohibits restriction.
Un-freaking-believable.
