iPads On A Plane!
The FAA has announced plans to permit expanded use of personal electronic devices on aircraft below 10,000 feet with the provision that during immediate take-off and landing phases, they would need to be stowed in a seat pocket, etc.
Everyone is hailing this as a monumental moment in aviation. And airlines are scrambling to be first to allow it with Delta appearing to be in the lead to win that race by starting it . . . tomorrow.
Here is my reaction: The FAA is staffed with people who are supposed to be very smart and very experienced in making such evaluations. If they’ve come to the conclusion that this is safe, then I stand behind that decision. I do think it would be very, very regrettable to find out one day that “electrons floating in the air” impeded aircraft instrumentation at a critical moment resulting in a crash. So I hope that the FAA has made this announcement on the basis of real science and study rather than political will.
But this doesn’t mean that stupid in the cabin is over. Far from it. The new ruling doesn’t permit phone calls being made and text messages being sent, for instance. You are still supposed to be in “airplane mode” with your PED and you can only connect to the aircraft’s WiFi systems.
How many here think that people aren’t going to text with their phone NOT in airplane mode?
Yes, me too. Because how can you really tell if someone is in airplane mode?
It also isn’t going to prevent a large contingent of stupid from using their PEDs during takeoff and landing phases. Personally, these really are the moments where everyone could stand to have their hands folded in their laps and to be situationally aware of what is going on around them.
Allowing PED use just before landings means that few will put them away and in the even of a crash, we’ll have iPhones flying around the cabin smacking people in the head with fatal results. While that opportunity exists even today, there isn’t any need to encourage it either.
I think the FAA offered something to the public with high perceived value, low real value and which artfully dodges issues around what’s safe in a cabin and even invasions of personal space.
In other words, the airlines still have a lot on their hands with this and don’t be surprised if some just tell you to put your device away until they say so. Much like today.
“…and don’t be surprised if some just tell you to put your device away until they say so. Much like today.”
Well yes… But they’ll say so much closer to actual flight transition and much sooner after actually rotating the craft and leaving the ground, and that’s adding value to the air travel product (whether real value or percieved is not relevant).
The thing is, people are not being given carte blanche to use all of their iEuphamisms all the time in whatever mode they choose to. And people are aware and talking (believe me; I hear it on just about every flight) about the pilots themselves having open and hot iPads *IN THE COCKPIT*… There is a certain legitimacy to the argument put that “if they can do it up there, why can’t I do it back here?”
Dunno… I can see both sides of the argument. The FAs will just have to make certain people are adults about their PED use. Much like today.
-R
(…who will be reading books on his iEuphamism more often now)
It is important to note that pilots iPads are in airplane mode when used and iPads are exceptionally well shielded compared to most items. In fact, with a sleeve, it’s possible to damp down emissions from the iPad to about 99% quiet which, for a consumer device, is unheard of.
“It is important to note that pilots iPads are in airplane mode when used…”
Yes, and according to the ruling, all onboard electronic toys must be in airplane mode. So what? That’s what they make Airplane Mode for, isn’t it?
-R
(100% discharge-free)
The impression many have is that the iPads are being used in an active mode at all phases of flight. They are not.
And their use during the sterile cockpit phase of landing or taking off is primarily limited to being a PDF viewer for approach and departure plates.
So, if we think that a pilot is using Face Time to speak with their dispatcher, they are not.
“So, if we think that a pilot is using Face Time to speak with their dispatcher, they are not.”
That’s not what I or anyone I’ve flown with thinks at all, Greg… I’m assuming a pilot is reading PDFs on her iPad in the cockpit and the passenger is reading an electronic book on his iPad in the passenger compartment. Everyone is in Airplane Mode, and everyone should be fat, dumb, and happy.
Again, it’ll be up to the FAs to enforce any restrictions on the use of PEDs in the passenger compartment post-rollout, just like it is now. Nothing has really changed all that much.
-R
p.s. ObNothing, the two Delta segments I flew this past Monday (RIC-LGA-ROC) first-class on CRJ700s, we were *not* allowed to follow the relaed restrictions, because the CRJ avionics package has not yet been cleared for sufficient RFI shielding and/or interference rejection. One or two people groaned, but most people took it in stride.
Is that what was announced? That the CRJ had not been cleared?