FAA Allows Electronics During Takeoff and Landing

Having to turn off electronics will be a thing of the past from now on. The FAA announced last week that you’ll no longer have to turn off electronics during takeoff and landing. The airlines have to go through an approval process, but a few airlines have already gone through this process. Jetblue and Delta have already gone through the approval process, because they had executives on the board who created these new regulations.

The FFA created a policy that they ask all people flying to follow:

1. Make safety your first priority.

2.  Changes to PED policies will not happen immediately and will vary by airline. Check with your airline to see if and when you can use your PED.

3.  Current PED policies remain in effect until an airline completes a safety assessment, gets FAA approval, and changes its PED policy.

4. Cell phones may not be used for voice communications.

5.  Devices must be used in airplane mode or with the cellular connection disabled. You may use the WiFi connection on your device if the plane has an installed WiFi system and the airline allows its use.  You can also continue to use short-range Bluetooth accessories, like wireless keyboards.

6. Properly stow heavier devices under seats or in the overhead bins during takeoff and landing. These items could impede evacuation of an aircraft or may injure you or someone else in the event of turbulence or an accident.

7. During the safety briefing, put down electronic devices, books and newspapers and listen to the crewmember’s instructions.

8.  It only takes a few minutes to secure items according to the crew’s instructions during takeoff and landing.

9.  In some instances of low visibility – about one percent of flights – some landing systems may not be proved PED tolerant, so you may be asked to turn off your device.

10. Always follow crew instructions and immediately turn off your device if asked.

 

The change has been a long time coming, and now we’ll see many more flights with wifi onboard. This means those travelers who travel can get work done through the whole flight, and no longer storing away your ereader. Amazon has put their Kindle line of tablets on sale as a way to celebrate these new rules. We’re glad that these rules have been relaxed and that electronics can be used longer during the flight. Tell us what you think about these loosened regulations.

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