American Obtains FAA Approval to Allow Extended Use of Handheld Portable Electronic Devices

[Hatu]

FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines customers can read their e-books, finish reviewing work documents, listen to music or watch videos on handheld portable electronic devices (PEDs) gate to gate beginning at 5 p.m. CST today. American has obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow customers to expand their use of PEDs onboard American's entire mainline fleet as well as regional aircraft operated by American Eagle Airlines. American has worked closely with the FAA on this initiative.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/american-airlines-customers-gate-gate-213300712.html

 

[FWAAA]

I'm surprised at the speed of implementation of these new rules.    A few weeks ago, I thought it would take months or a year before we'd be able to use our electronic toys throughout the flight.  
 
Kudos to DL, AA and the government for moving quickly on this.  

 

[Hatu]

I think the speed of implementation is directly proportional to how stupid the rule was in the first place.

 

[xUT]

I hope they keep the cell phone restrictions.
Nothing could be more annoying than having the person next to you yap for 4/5 hours on a transcon.
Depending on the voice and demeanor, even a one hour flight might make someone go ballistic.
Just my 2 cents...
B) xUT

 

[Rogallo]

Great move! Just what you want. People oblivious to their surroundings during the most important phases of flight!

 

[WorldTraveler]

I hope they keep the cell phone restrictions.
Nothing could be more annoying than having the person next to you yap for 4/5 hours on a transcon.
Depending on the voice and demeanor, even a one hour flight might make someone go ballistic.
Just my 2 cents...
B) xUT

since land-based cell phone technology isn't designed to work in airplanes flying several miles above the towers at a much faster speed than ground-based users, the chances are high that cell phones won't be allowed.

Skype and other internet-based phone services could be used via an aircraft's wifi system but the overwhelming feeling is that commercial airplane environments are too close for people to be talking with outsiders.

Plus, it is possible to email and chat w/ people.

Any airline that moves to allow voice communications will likely face a far bigger hit from consumers than any benefit from lifting the PED ban.

 

[FWAAA]

I hope they keep the cell phone restrictions.
Nothing could be more annoying than having the person next to you yap for 4/5 hours on a transcon.
Depending on the voice and demeanor, even a one hour flight might make someone go ballistic.
Just my 2 cents...
B) xUT

The cell phone prohibition remains.  
 

Great move! Just what you want. People oblivious to their surroundings during the most important phases of flight!

The people aft of the door aren't flying the plane and have always been free to lose themselves in the on-board provided IFE (video or audio) or in their own book, newspaper or magazine.   All this does is recognize that reading from a tablet or Nook or similar device is the modern-day equivalent of the stone-age media like books, newspapers or magazines.  

 

[xUT]

I think the speed of implementation is directly proportional to how stupid the rule was in the first place.

 
I wouldn't be too sure about that. I wouldn't be surprised if some hacker/wise-himer/nut job doesn't bring a lab board as a PED and see if he can hack the avionics.  Sure, older aircraft still use defunct transistor technology and operate on ARINC 708/553. Hard to hack without a hard link to the data bus. Same with ARINC 429 and 629 data buses. Now the 787 and A380 use the AFDX system with fiber. The only access points might be the data bus controller or access point. "Hopefully" none of the new data buses uses wi-fi and the aircraft that have wi-fi is isolated from the data bus.
I am sure Quagmire can give more up to date information but to think the use of a PED is totally safe may not be the case.
JMHO,
B) xUT

 

[xUT]

since land-based cell phone technology isn't designed to work in airplanes flying several miles above the towers at a much faster speed than ground-based users, the chances are high that cell phones won't be allowed.

Skype and other internet-based phone services could be used via an aircraft's wifi system but the overwhelming feeling is that commercial airplane environments are too close for people to be talking with outsiders.

Plus, it is possible to email and chat w/ people.

Any airline that moves to allow voice communications will likely face a far bigger hit from consumers than any benefit from lifting the PED ban.

 
IIRC some Flight 93 (13 years ago) passengers used their cell phones to communicate with loved ones and get news updates.
With growing technology and updates of cell service technology, I would not count on your hypothesis.
JMHO,
B) xUT

 

[xUT]

The cell phone prohibition remains.  
 
The people aft of the door aren't flying the plane and have always been free to lose themselves in the on-board provided IFE (video or audio) or in their own book, newspaper or magazine.   All this does is recognize that reading from a tablet or Nook or similar device is the modern-day equivalent of the stone-age media like books, newspapers or magazines.  

 
Making it prohibited and enforcing it are two different animals. Remember the 'texting with friends' episode?
We will see, but don't get upset when talking to lil Jimmy on messenger/skype/etc... in an aisle seat and I have to go to the bathroom from the window seat 'in coach'. Heck, it's bad enough having the seat in front of you stuck to your forehead then climbing over 2 seats just to take a wiz...
 

 

[Rogallo]

The cell phone prohibition remains.  
 

The people aft of the door aren't flying the plane and have always been free to lose themselves in the on-board provided IFE (video or audio) or in their own book, newspaper or magazine.   All this does is recognize that reading from a tablet or Nook or similar device is the modern-day equivalent of the stone-age media like books, newspapers or magazines.

You missed the point. Takeoff and landing need 100% attention from everyone.

 

[Hatu]

The cell phone prohibition remains.  
 
The people aft of the door aren't flying the plane and have always been free to lose themselves in the on-board provided IFE (video or audio) or in their own book, newspaper or magazine.   All this does is recognize that reading from a tablet or Nook or similar device is the modern-day equivalent of the stone-age media like books, newspapers or magazines.

Plus, many people just sleep. Are we supposed to wake everyone up for landing and take off?

 

[Hatu]

I wouldn't be too sure about that. I wouldn't be surprised if some hacker/wise-himer/nut job doesn't bring a lab board as a PED and see if he can hack the avionics.  Sure, older aircraft still use defunct transistor technology and operate on ARINC 708/553. Hard to hack without a hard link to the data bus. Same with ARINC 429 and 629 data buses. Now the 787 and A380 use the AFDX system with fiber. The only access points might be the data bus controller or access point. "Hopefully" none of the new data buses uses wi-fi and the aircraft that have wi-fi is isolated from the data bus.
I am sure Quagmire can give more up to date information but to think the use of a PED is totally safe may not be the case.
JMHO,
B) xUT

That could happen anyway with the current electronic device rules (pre 5pm today rules). One cannot bring a bottle of liquid through security, if there was such a worry about personal electronic devices they would not be allowed on in the first place. Of course one can always go to extreme examples, I am sure MacGyver could use a shoelace and a piece of gum to do a lot of damage but that does not mean we should ban shoe laces and gum on airplanes.

 

[Force Majeure]

Great move! Just what you want. People oblivious to their surroundings during the most important phases of flight!

If you think they are now then you are oblivious to your surroundings.

 

[xUT]

That could happen anyway with the current electronic device rules (pre 5pm today rules). One cannot bring a bottle of liquid through security, if there was such a worry about personal electronic devices they would not be allowed on in the first place. Of course one can always go to extreme examples, I am sure MacGyver could use a shoelace and a piece of gum to do a lot of damage but that does not mean we should ban shoe laces and gum on airplanes.

As I stated, JMHO.
I meant no offense, but thought I would share my 38 years in Avionics/Electronics.
Keep your head in the sand, might be useful someday.
B) xUT