Is there no subject DU's very own little polymath isn't conversant on?
Mon Dec 26, 2011, 08:43 PM
Logical (3,231 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore
Can anyone explain why my Kindle / iPad has to be off on takeoff?
Last edited Mon Dec 26, 2011, 08:52 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)
I have asked the FAA this question and their answer is "It could interfere with the takeoff and landing". I find this hard to believe.
They are now allowing pilots to have ipads in the cockpit. Why is that not an issue?
If this is a real danger then the FAA would require all cell phones, ipads, kindles to be checked in upon boarding and landing. If this is a real threat then the kindle / iPad stuck in a seat back pocket and not powered off would be a huge threat!!
When I travel I at times do not remember to turn off my Cell Phone. Many others forgot also. Why is this not a MAJOR threat to the airline? I know many people do not power off their iPads or Kindles. Just close the lid and put them in the seat back. Why isn't this causing problems DAILY across the USA?
If this threat is real, wouldn't the FAA scan for powered on devices? If someone could really take down a place with a rouge device wouldn't some terrorist make a cell phone that transmitted this rouge signal at a much higher power and crash the plane?
None of this makes sense to me.
More on this topic here......
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/disruptions-tests-cast-doubt-on-fcc-rules-on-kindle-and-ipad-html/
http://www.democraticunderground.com/100274031 nadinbrzezinski (100,234 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore
28. Here is the very unofficial explanation
No, it is not because it will interfere with electronics on the plane. That be stupid, and means really shoddy quality electronics.
No the reason is that in case of an emergency they need you to be able to give them your full attention. The most dangerous moments of ANY flight are landing and take off. No, they cannot actually tell you this since people would really ignore it, so they give you the other, it will interfere with navigation and electronics...
Yup a Captain from a Mexican Airline explained that one last time I was in Mexico. He's a friend of a friend of my mother's and when we went for coffee he was there. So I asked... and he said, he wishes that none had to treat passengers like children, but their experience is that most passengers will not turn them off otherwise. He also said that most people do not truly shut them all the way down, and they know it. But as long as they are not technically, as in screen is on, they don't give a shit.
Of course we also had another half an hour of the stupid security theater around the world... he's gotten to fly all over the world.For "dangerous content" and photos go here...http://nadinbrzezinski.posterous.com/
Logical (3,231 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore
29. Seem like books and magazines would be as distracting. Or sleeping. Or earplugs.
nadinbrzezinski (100,234 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore
35. Magazines and books, from their experience are not
because you will not want to take care of them the same way you will a piece of electronics that runs 500 bucks. Earplugs, why do you think they ask you do not use NOISE canceling headphones? As to sleeping, unless you are a really sound sleeper, I can wake you up in three seconds flat.
This came from a lot of behavioral work around north america... Canadian, American and Mexican Airlines paid bucko bucks for that one, as well as three major government agencies. Fun fact. it was North America the first place that happened uniformly, according to him, and it came after an accident off North America where evacuation was made difficult due to that. For "dangerous content" and photos go here...http://nadinbrzezinski.posterous.com/
I'm so glad nadin brzybrzybrzy passed on that job offer from NASA's JPL to concentrate on her career as intrepid photog/reporter/advice-columnist for DUAC.
Personally, just hearing that the pilot is unable to get the landing gear down or that an engine is lost or seeing the cockpit crew walk to the back of the plane with parachutes on would be enough for me to give up my session of Angry Birds, but that's just me.
