FAA announces change in personal electronics usage
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Airplane travelers will soon be able to watch videos and play games with their electronic devices throughout their entire flight -- and not just above a certain altitude -- the Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday, October 31st in a long anticipated announcement. But don't expect to be chatting on your cell phone. A ban on using cell phones for voice communication remains in effect.
The FAA, following months of study by a group of aviation experts, said Thursday that airlines can soon allow passengers to use portable electronic devices such as tablets, laptop computers, e-readers and cell phones in airplane mode throughout the flight -- with some circumstantial restrictions.
Until now, passengers in the United States were prohibited from using the devices until their plane rose above 10,000 feet.
The timing of the changes will depend on individual airlines, but an FAA statement said it expects "many carriers will prove to the FAA that their planes allow passengers to safely use their devices in airplane mode, gate-to-gate, by the end of the year."
Passengers were smiling at Mitchell International Airport upon hearing the news.
Traveling can be boring, and while there are many ways to pass the time, a lot of people like their electronics.
"For my professional or personal life, I see lots of reasons for it so I think it'd be a positive change for everybody," Brooke Martens said.
Martens is in Milwaukee to spend a weekend with old friends. Soon, she will be able to keep her phone on from gate-to-gate.
The FAA's decision to ease restrictions is welcome news -- even for those who currently don't use electronics while on board.
"I think it's a good thing if I can bring my laptop on board. I can be able to use it inside the plane," Martin Olivera said.
Other travelers pointed out that some passengers don't obey the commands anyway -- something the FAA acknowledged in the release announcing its decision.
"I'm very happy about it. I kinda felt it was only a matter of time before they started to ease up on that. I mean, I feel sometimes people keep it on anyway, try to do it undercover and nothing really happens," Daniel Szymanski said.
While the eased FAA restrictions mean you can keep your electronic device on throughout the whole flight, there are still some rules. Mainly, you still can't make calls during takeoff and landing, but if you put your phone into airplane mode, you'll be fine the whole way.
Martens says the new rules are far more reasonable and expects her fellow passengers to follow them.
"In an age where everything is just growing in technology, it only makes sense to change with it," Martens said.
It is up to each airline to adjust their policies within the new FAA rules.
Milwaukee travelers should be paying attention to Southwest and Delta since those two airlines account for nearly three-quarters of those who fly in and out of Mitchell.
The FAA hopes to have the changes take effect by the holiday travel season.