FAA taking a 'fresh look' at the use of personal electronics on planes

• Scarlet_Buckeye

  

  Kindles and iPads have moved into the mainstream, and by the end of 2012 it is predicted that more than 40 million eReaders and 60 million tablets will be owned in the United States. When it comes to traveling, unfortunately, consumers are often forced to use traditional forms of entertainment — physical books and magazines – due to the dated rules enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration. Those rules, however, may be about to change. Laura J. Brown, deputy assistant administrator for public affairs for the FAA, told The New York Times on Sunday that the agency has decided to take a “fresh look” at the use of personal electronics on planes. The last time the administration performed testing was in 2006, long before the iPad was introduced, and it does not plan to include smartphones in the possible revisions. Click the link to read on for more.

  http://www.bgr.com/2012/03/19/faa-taking-a-fresh-look-at-the-use-of-personal-electronics-on-planes/
  
  I always wondered why you're not allowed to use cell phones on a plane. I'm sure it's for "safety" and "security" reasons, but I'm really failing to see the harm. The only plausible explanation I can come up with is... they simply don't want people's phones ringing during takeoff and/or they don't want people being distracted by phone conversations in case of an emergency situation.
  
  I think they want you to believe that the cell phones signal interferes with the pilots communications, but honestly... who hasn't kept their cell phone on (whether by mistake or on purpose) during a flight and literally nothing wrong happened.
  
  Personally, I think it's time that every flight started offering in-flight WiFi service to travelers. It would make air travel so much more enjoyable, IMO.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  I fly quite a bit, and I dont want to listen to other ppl yapping away on their phones. Also I never turn my phone off, just put it on airplane mode.
• gorocks99

  

  The reason why they have everyone shut off their cell phones and transmitting devices is because, although not every phone/device interferes with pilot communications (or even most phones/devices) they don't want to test every possible one against their systems, so they just say "fuck it, no one can use it" instead of "fuck it, everyone can use it" and then that one phone is used that messes up communications, and kills hundreds of people.
  

  According to Abby Lunardini, vice president of corporate communications at Virgin America, for a device to be approved each model must be tested at separate times on an empty flight with every plane in an airline’s fleet, and again for every airline that wants to allow the use of personal electronic devices. With thousands of different smartphone models, it is no wonder why the FAA has no plans to include them in the possible revisions — testing would take years and at completion, the phones tested would likely be obsolete.

• swamisez

  

  Also, important exit and security procedures are being relayed while the plane is taxing. Like it or not, these have to be given every flight because in an emergency you need to know how to act quickly.
• Scarlet_Buckeye

  

  swamisez;1121941 wrote:Also, important exit and security procedures are being relayed while the plane is taxing. Like it or not, these have to be given every flight because in an emergency you need to know how to act quickly.

  Agreed.
• Scarlet_Buckeye

  

  gorocks99;1121927 wrote:The reason why they have everyone shut off their cell phones and transmitting devices is because, although not every phone/device interferes with pilot communications (or even most phones/devices) they don't want to test every possible one against their systems, so they just say "**** it, no one can use it" instead of "**** it, everyone can use it" and then that one phone is used that messes up communications, and kills hundreds of people.

  Similar to computer technology, why don't they just create some kind of standard or API, such that they can test it once and everything works. (I know... I realize it is not that simple)
• gorocks99

  

  My theory is that cell phone companies are assholes.
• dlazz

  I haven't flown since 2000.
  
  Hope this helps.
• Glory Days

  

  at this point, i dont care about the safety reasons. i just dont want to hear some bitch talking loudly or some teenage girl getting a text message every 15 seconds and hearing a ringtone go off.
• sherm03

  

  I used to put my phone into airplane mode every time I flew. That was until I met a pilot who said that was all bullshit and that he routinely makes and receives calls during long flights.
  
  The downside to leaving your phone on, though, is that with the rapid speed and elevation, it's difficult to pick up a signal and your battery dies insanely fast because the phone is constantly searching for new towers.
• gut

  Wanting people's attention while they give safety instructions is as good as any reason I've heard.
  
  What I don't understand is why they are not including smartphones in their review - people can make calls from some tablets/computers, I think. And they have data connections, as well. Plus, many people use their smartphone to listen to music.
  
  Another good explanation I've heard was the cell phone rule goes back to the days when many airplanes had portable phones you could use, and they wanted to charge you an arm and a leg for that (which no one with a cell phone would use). Probably still applies today with the cell phone data connections (although I've tried a few times and never got a signal) vs. the in-air wireless service. Maybe they figure most tablets aren't configured with data service. Or maybe a lobbying group is behind this that figures more people would pay for Bogo or whatever it is if they had uninterrupted wireless service from the time they got on the plane.
• ts1227

  

  Commander of Awesome;1121919 wrote:I fly quite a bit, and I dont want to listen to other ppl yapping away on their phones. Also I never turn my phone off, just put it on airplane mode.

  If they ever allow devices to be used, I think it'll have to be kept to things that don't generate sound (no calls, text notifications on vibrate, volume off to use iPad, etc.)
• dwccrew

  

  dlazz;1122070 wrote:I haven't flown since 2000.
  
  Hope this helps.

  
  LOL @ poor people who can't afford to fly.
  
  /sleeper'd
• Scarlet_Buckeye

  

  dlazz;1122070 wrote:I haven't flown since 2000.
  
  Hope this helps.

  dwccrew;1122699 wrote:LOL @ poor people who can't afford to fly.
  
  /sleeper'd

  BOOM! Roasted. Reps for dwccrew.
• like_that

  

  dwccrew;1122699 wrote:LOL @ people who fly, when they can easily drive. What a waste of money idiots fall for, due to great marketing by airlines. I don't spend my money on needless things.
  
  /sleeper'd

  FIFY