New Rule: No More Airplane Passenger Abuse

U.S. airlines may not keep passengers waiting in an airplane on a tarmac — whether for take-off clearance or stalled because of bad weather or just about any other reason — for more than three hours, according to new rules issued by the Department of Transporation. After two hours, airlines are required to give passengers food and water. The only exceptions are for safety or security issues — or if air traffic control advises the pilot in command that returning to the terminal would disrupt airport operations.