Not Nuts About Peanuts

Q. I have a peanut allergy, and I'm getting a bit tired of being offered peanuts on planes and having to sit near passengers who are eating them. Even the smell of peanuts bothers me at this point. Anything I can do?

A. As a matter of fact, yes. The Department of Transportation has included ideas for dealing with peanut allergy problems in its new consumer protections proposals. The DOT is considering an outright ban of peanuts onboard planes, as well as less drastic measures suh as requireing airlines to refrain from serving peanuts if an allergic passenger requests it. You can read all the proposals and offer your comment on this and other consumer protections matters at regulationroom.org.