Transport Workers Union Local 540

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lawyers for nine organizations representing 400,000 aviation professionals, passengers and law enforcement officers today filed a legal petition with Transportation Security Administrator John Pistole and copied to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano seeking to rescind plans to allow knives in the aircraft cabins for the first time since 9/11.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reversed a legal interpretation issued to Alexandra M. McHugh of United Technologies on May 18,2010  in which the " equivalent thereof in a calendar month " portion of the regulation citing intent was eliminated.  The FAA letter of retraction was meant to clarify rest period provisions for aircraft maintenance workers, under 14 CFR 121.377. and also Aircraft Dispatchers Duty and time limitations under CFR 121.465