US DOT Gives Santa Operating Authority
US DOTThe U.S. Department of Transportation said it has given Kris Kringle, a.k.a. Santa Claus, special air transportation authority for the night of Dec. 24-25.
The DOT application form states Kingle will “deliver cargo of all sizes and shapes to be carried in a sack-like container” and noted the points to be served are “the dwelling places of good girls and boys as well as adults of goodwill.”
The FAA cleared Kringle to use an airborne sleigh drawn by eight reindeer for nighttime operations, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a press conference Dec. 23.
In case of inclement weather, Kringle agreed to add a ninth reindeer equipped with a red navigational beacon in its nosecone.
Asked if Kringle’s ability to see when you are sleeping and knows when you’re awake and naughty or nice raised any privacy concerns, Foxx responded that the issue was beyond the scope of the DOT but suggested “you be nice just in case.”
