FAA looking at allowing tablets usage at all stages of flight

[simongr]

Just after I read the post by jb747 that the FAA are taking a fresh look at the use of tablets in all stages of the flight (in flight mode) I saw this on macrumors:

FAA Taking a 'Fresh Look' at Digital Device Use During Takeoff and Landing - MacRumors Forums

I do hope they get a move on and then the rest of the industry follows suit...

That 20 mins take off and landing really impacts my Angry Birds play time!

 

[serfty]

I'm not sure having untethered netbooks/tablets/laptops that could make like missiles during a takeoff or a landing mishap is a good idea.

 

[mkentwell]

I know this makes me a troglodite, but I do prefer reading books on paper... battery has never run out on any of my books yet, but sure as hell has on my Tablet PC.

 

[yo yo ma]

The telegraph has picked up this story too

FAA to review ban on electronic gadgets during takeoff | thetelegraph.com.au

 

[simongr]

I'm not sure having untethered netbooks/tablets/laptops that could make like missiles during a takeoff or a landing mishap is a good idea.

These items could be untethered already - I don't always put my iPad away during take off even if it is powered down.

 

[SeaWolf]

I'm not sure having untethered netbooks/tablets/laptops that could make like missiles during a takeoff or a landing mishap is a good idea.

I can understand the logic in this argument, but if we're going to use that as an argument to stop people having electronics during take-off and landing, they're going to have to extend it to pretty much anything in a person's hands, such as magazines, books, water bottles etc. The 'missile' argument hasn't been used against any of those items in the past so I don't think it'll hold much weight now. It might if there were a high number of flying book related injuries during aborted take-offs, but there's no evidence of that.

 

[harvyk]

I'm not sure having untethered netbooks/tablets/laptops that could make like missiles during a takeoff or a landing mishap is a good idea.

Like others have said, having a device switched off does nothing for it's ability to be a missile in the event something goes wrong. Also I believe most people are pretty much protected from such projectiles given there is a seat behind them completely covering them from the person behind.

I guess one of the things they may come up with is a person listening to their own music \ movies without using the planes IFE will not hear any announcements important or otherwise. Therefore it is entirely possible for someone to sit there oblivious to the happening around them. So rather than a total iDevice ban, they'll probably come up with a personal headphones ban during critical stages (eg take off and just before landing) so that people can still hear announcements like "evacuate" if needs be.

 

[samh004]

I also read this on Macrumors this morning.

My first thought was not the missiles but what happens in an emergency if you’re too occupied with a game. I think it would be fair to allow them to be used for reading and typing, but not with headphones in, same for smartphones though I do realise that isn’t covered under this investigation.

Basically as harvyk says above.

 

[serfty]

I can understand the logic in this argument, but if we're going to use that as an argument to stop people having electronics during take-off and landing, they're going to have to extend it to pretty much anything in a person's hands, such as magazines, books, water bottles etc. The 'missile' argument hasn't been used against any of those items in the past so I don't think it'll hold much weight now. It might if there were a high number of flying book related injuries during aborted take-offs, but there's no evidence of that.

IMHO, anything from Kindle size/density and up should be stowed and not be in one's hands.

I have often seen and heard things like mobile phones etc. sliding rapidly along the floor during normal landings and imagined what it would have been like with a more sudden deceleration. :-|

 

[MatF]

IMHO, anything from Kindle size/density and up should be stowed and not be in one's hands.

I do tend to agree. I'm happy to secure my kindle/ipad during takeoff and landing, but I'd very much like to be able to use them for more fo the flight than I currently can.

Most of my flights are < 1.5hrs, and there's a long, long time between actual takeoff and when you can start using electronic devices, and even longer it seems between the start of descent (when we're often told to pack them away), and when we actually land. On a 1hr flight, I'm often only able to use them for 20mins or so.

 

[AVC]

I don't know if getting hit with a Kindle would be any worse than getting hit in the head with say, a water bottle.

Irresponsible use of tablets:

 

[Paddy55]

Actually believe the Kindles and iPads should be OK'ed.
Portability, size are on their side.

Laptops, even my MBA - no - the flip up lid is the difference