Electronic Devices on Planes: On or Off

Like many people these days, I travel with electronic devices to make my life easier and my load lighter. And also like many, it can be frustrating to  have to turn these devices off during takeoff and landing, and not be able to use some, like those with bluetooth, at all.

Why? Because the FAA “believes” they might cause harm to the aircraft. They have no real proof but continue to perpetuate their beliefs. Yet at the same time, the pilots can use them as much as they want.

Nick Bilton of the New York Times has an article on this matter in today’s paper.

Have a look at it and let us know what you think.

Comments

[Snowbot]

I would like a policy that makes sense. It doesn't reallymatter to me if I have to put away my iPad for a few minutes during takeoff and landing. But what I don't want it people talking on their cell phones during takeoff and landing.

[The Other Guy]

I don't want people talking on their cell phones during flight, period. Anyone who has commuted by public transportation can tell you how annoying it is to be stuck on a bus or subway car and have to listen to people yakking on their cell phones.

[Alan B]

"how annoying it is to be stuck on a bus or subway car and have to listen to people yakking on their cell phones."

NOISE in general can be very tiring while traveling, whether it be voices on phones, other people's music, or the 85 dB drone of jet engines in the rear of the Economy session. We have just invested in two pair of the Bose QC15 noise cancelling headphones, though their overall bulk creates some problems for carry-on travel. In any case, people do need to be mindful of others in close quarters, so personally while I can see E-mail or texting planes as reasonable, open cell phone conversations on planes save during the final taxiing to the terminal should be BANNED..

[Maggie]

If the use of phones are permitted, please can we have a quiet section? People can be annoying at the best of times, which it is seriously compounded by the incessant chatter made via phones (haven't there been a few cases of phone rage on trains?). I don't put all electronics in the same boat though, having calmed a nervous flyer with a game on my iPad... well, I did till the pilot asked for everything to be turned off as he circled the airport checking whether it was safe to land in a violent storm. But it doesn't matter what is agreed upon, there will always those "special" passengers who believe the rules just don't apply to them.

[Steve]

I think the FAA is behind the times. If the pilots can use their iPads in the cockpit, in close proximity to all of those instruments, then how can my ereader or tablet in seat 18C be such a concern? Especially if I put them in airplane mode?

And I'd be willing to bet that on any flight, there's a half dozen phones still on that people forgot to turn off. I've yet to hear of a plane falling from the sky due to that.

The current rules aren't as asinine as the TSA, but they still don't make much sense.