Do our gadgets really threaten planes?

Written by

Wall Street Journal:

On Aug. 31, the Federal Aviation Administration requested public comment on its longstanding policy of prohibiting the use of personal electronics during takeoffs and landings. The restrictions date back to 1991 and were motivated in part by anecdotal reports from pilots and flight crews that electronic devices affected an airliner’s navigation equipment or disrupted communication between the cockpit and the ground. Over the years, however, Boeing has been unable to duplicate these problems, and the FAA can only say that the devices’ radio signals “may” interfere with flight operations.

Gadgets may not but the near constant whining of people who can’t use their iPads and Kindles and can’t entertain themselves for a few minutes might drive some of us insane. Our parents seemed to get along just fine on airplanes without needing to be constantly distracted by electronic gizmos.



  • dylangio

    Ive thought for a while now that the only reason they say no electronic devices for take off and landing is so that they have our attention for safety demonstration and so we are aware of whats going on in case of an emergency. Take off and Landing are the two most problematic times and its probably just best everyone has their wits about them and not flinging birds and pigs

    • http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com/ Shawn King

      “the only reason they say no electronic devices for take off and landing is so that they have our attention for safety demonstration”

      But that’s not the case. If you’re reading a book, magazine or newspaper, you’re not made to put it away while the safety demonstration is being done.

  • http://www.techese.net/ Chris De Jabet

    Our parents got along because the airline didn’t (and doesn’t) tell them to close their books, newspapers, or magazines.

    • http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com/ Shawn King

      Airlines don’t do that now.

      • the_other_stevejobs

        the fuck they don’t.

        I was told to put away my book on the last flight during takeoff. I was reading the book “John Siracusa’s 10.8 review” on my e-ink Kindle, and she told me to put it away.

        Shawn is going to support the banning of that fancy bubbly water (why can’t you just drink old fashioned water?!?) and the use of seat belts (they didn’t used to have seat belts, and it was better that way!)

        Get off Shawn’s lawn, you kids with your electrical books and pocket musical devices! Don’t start with him and laser printed books – you want a book, that fucker better be handwritten by a scribe.

        • http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com/ Shawn King

          “I was reading the book “John Siracusa’s 10.8 review” on my e-ink Kindle…”

          We were talking about books, not Kindles. I’m pretty sure you can tell the difference but choose not to in order to continue your straw man argument.

          Have fun with that. You’re on your own now. If you have to make stuff up in order to have the discussion, you’ll have to have it by yourself.

  • Fudgebody

    The reason I would like them to determine whether or not they’re an actual problem is the fact that people are told to turn them off by one or 2 people on the plane that can only see what some of the passengers are doing (and this is only before takeoff, not landing). There’s no way for these few people to enforce this rule or even know if it’s being broken. And even if this rule is not being visibly broken by anyone actually using a tablet or phone, do you really think everyone on their plane has turned off their electronics or at least put them into airplane mode? And even then, can we trust every brand-name and no-name phone manufacturer to properly implement airplane mode so that no radios are utilized when it’s on, and prevent 3rd-party apps from interfering with this setting (I think this one is less likely that passenger error or negligence, but it seems like it may still be a possibility)?

  • chjode

    I would like the FAA to change the required safety speech given by flight attendants to simply say “Please put away all electronic devices so that we have your full attention during take-off and landing.”

    Hiding behind the reasoning that a piece of consumer gear (which MUST be approved by the FCC before going on sale) might interfere with a hardened, shielded system on a modern aircraft is bunk.

    • Box of Cotton Swabs

      “Please put away all electronic devices, books, newspapers, magazines (including SkyMall), pens, pencils, and toddlers so that we have your full attention during take-off and landing.“

      • chjode

        I could go for that. At least it’s honest.

  • MacsenMcBain

    I’m in favor of letting people use the gadgets at all times to help keep their little kids entertained or preoccupied. The little 4 year old in the next seat doesn’t need to hear the safety lecture- and I’d rather they not hear too much about what might go wrong on the trip.

    …and let adults ignore the safety lecture if they’ve heard it before. It’s not like any of it is incredibly complicated, or would really do much good in the majority of air accidents. People only take drivers’ education once. Why do they need to be reminded to fasten their seat belt every time they get on a plane.

    • http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com/ Shawn King

      “I’m in favor of letting people use the gadgets at all times to help keep their little kids entertained or preoccupied.”

      There are all kinds of ways children can be entertained that don’t require electronic gadgets – coloring books, books, toys, etc. You know – the good old days. :)

  • Hunter

    The rules apply as long as the door is closed and before the plane hits 10,000 feet. That includes when you’re sitting on the runway at LGA waiting for two hours for clearance to take off.

    • http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com/ Shawn King

      Many airlines allow the use of electronic devices when it becomes obvious there will be lengthy delays on the tarmac. And, even if they don’t, are people so mindless and in need of distraction they have to whip out some sort of electronic crutch to get them through the next X number of minutes?

  • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

    Shawn, did you have to shoo some kids off your lawn this morning?

    • http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com/ Shawn King

      LOL No – I’m just tired of listening to self important whiners who demand to be entertained and distracted by electronic devices 24/7.

      • Blog

        It’s called progress. If you don’t like it park your car, drink your last beer and find a tree to climb up. Eat fresh fruit from that tree and a mouse if you’re fast enough.

        No more cheeseburgers, Internet, tv, and no flying either.

        I can do whatever I fucking want in my seat. you can walk if you don’t like it.

        Now get off my back.

        Sent from my iPad (on a train)

        • http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com/ Shawn King

          “I can do whatever I fucking want in my seat.”

          LOL No, you really can’t but it’s so cute that you think you do.

  • the_other_stevejobs

    Shawn King is apparently a Catholic nun teaching geography – “Put that new fangled technology away!”

    Isn’t the point that there should be a reason why i can’t read my Kindle, not why should i be allowed to read my Kindle? How did the world get so upside down?

    If i can’t read my Kindle, then Shawn can’t read his Heat magazine.

    • http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com/ Shawn King

      The point isn’t he FCC regulations. We all acknowledge they are at least out of date if not completely stupid. My point is the whining of people who say “Why can’t I read my Kindle?”

      • Bring Your Parachute

        Are they really out of date? Last I knew the FCC part of the equation was the possibility of overwhelming cell towers. From 35,000 feet that cell phone signal has quite some footprint and at 500mph there would be a lot of switching going on.

        I don’t care either way about Kindles and such though, quite frankly, if 20 minutes without it is a sacrifice then perhaps the problem is with the owner.

  • Buckeyestar

    I was under the impression that the reason they just have people turn things off is because they’d have to individually test each and every new electronic device that gets released. They’re just saving money and playing it safe.

  • Bring Your Parachute

    Quite frankly the LAST thing I want being cooped up on a plane is some loud mouthed doofus yelling into his (or her) cell phone for hours on end. Trains started adding “quiet” cars for a reason. If you think “seat back rage” is bad, just wait.

  • gjgustav

    Just to add fuel to the fire, I’ve never had a safety demonstration during landing. I think it’s due to a greater chance of turbulence and “bumps” during takeoff and landing. They don’t want your device to go flying, hurt someone who ends up suing the airline. I think they feel books and newspapers don’t do as much damage.