F.A.A. Allows Use of Electronic Devices Throughout Flights
One of the dumbest rules ever is about to end!
WASHINGTON Airline passengers can use electronic devices to listen to music, read and play games in all phases of flight, the Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday, but using a cellphone to talk and text will still be banned.
The changes will most likely take effect before the end of the year, the F.A.A. said, after airlines determine that their aircraft can tolerate the interference.
Passengers will still be prohibited from browsing the Web and checking e-mail once the planes doors have been closed and until its Wi-Fi network has been turned on, usually above 10,000 feet. Rules for cellphone use are set by the Federal Communications Commission and are unlikely to change soon.
The administrator of the F.A.A., Michael P. Huerta, said he expected that, with rare exceptions, airlines would allow the use of tablets, MP3 players and smartphones in airplane mode, with their cell network connections turned off. The airlines will have to conduct tests on their equipment and submit the results to the F.A.A. for approval, he said.
More at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/01/business/passengers-to-be-free-to-use-electronics-on-flights-faa-says.html?_r=0