Wireless mouse not permitted in flight?

Old Feb 25, 2017, 7:09 am
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: DFW/PHL
Programs: US CP, UA *G; SPG Plat, Hilton Gold; Natl Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 623
Wireless mouse not permitted in flight?

FA in international J insisted that a passenger discontinue usage of a wireless mouse during my flight yesterday. She cited the fact that it 'transmits and receives' and interferes with cockpit flight controls. She told the passenger to refer to the back of American Way. She then brought a second FA who verified her claims, and later brought over the purser who similarly agreed. She came back a third time and showed him something on her handheld. She was apologetic but firm on the policy the whole time. The passenger seemed to have accepted her rules and didn't really argue; yet the FA went above and beyond to justify her request.

Is this an actual AA policy or a misinterpretation of the rules?
flightrisk is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 7:30 am
  #2  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,664
Bluetooth devices or any device that sends a signal are not allowed to be used in flight in the US. It is listed in the magazine for every airline in back where they go over electronic devices.
ROCAT is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 7:38 am
  #3  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Programs: BA GGL, AA EXP and former CK, DL Plat, UA Gold MM
Posts: 492
FAs tell me that airplanes fall from the sky all of the time as a result cell phones which are left on during flight.. and near misses are largely a result of wireless headsets and mice.

Every FA is mandated to attend electronic interference school (EIS) at both boeing and airbus facilities before getting their EIS Certification.

I also heard that the wings can fall off if you flush a paper towel in the lav.

Please be very careful.
cyber1k is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 7:52 am
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: DFW/PHL
Programs: US CP, UA *G; SPG Plat, Hilton Gold; Natl Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 623
In the UA thread, their policy was supposedly changed in 2015 to allow Bluetooth/wireless mice.

There is no actual mention of "Bluetooth" or mouse in the American Way (attached).
Attached Images  
flightrisk is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 7:54 am
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,020
Bluetooth devices are most certainly allowed, otherwise every flight would have violators. Just think of all the bluetooth Fitbits/Watches...all the wireless headphones.
GNRMatt is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 8:14 am
  #6  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,267
Originally Posted by GNRMatt
Bluetooth devices are most certainly allowed, otherwise every flight would have violators. Just think of all the bluetooth Fitbits/Watches...all the wireless headphones.
Just because a lot of people break a rule with impunity doesn't mean that they're not breaking the rule.
lobo411 is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 8:17 am
  #7  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,075
Originally Posted by ROCAT
Bluetooth devices or any device that sends a signal are not allowed to be used in flight in the US. It is listed in the magazine for every airline in back where they go over electronic devices.
Hmmm... and those Wi-Fi / Internet enabled planes. Makes me wonder
teemuflyer is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 8:29 am
  #8  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 22,930
Originally Posted by teemuflyer
Hmmm... and those Wi-Fi / Internet enabled planes. Makes me wonder
Wifi is disabled below 10K feet. Bluetooth has limited range and is unlikely to interfere with aircraft systems. But is it really worth it to get into an electrical engineering argument with an FA over your mouse? I guess my attitude is that life is too short to get overly invested in "winning" these debates and that one should just move on.
xliioper is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 8:50 am
  #9  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,122
Originally Posted by ROCAT
Bluetooth devices or any device that sends a signal are not allowed to be used in flight in the US. It is listed in the magazine for every airline in back where they go over electronic devices.
FAA clearly allows Bluetooth: https://www.faa.gov/news/press_relea...m?newsId=15254

Guess AA didn't get the memo. That said, I use BT headphones all the time on flights and nobody ever says anything.

Last edited by HofstraJet; Feb 25, 2017 at 9:36 am
HofstraJet is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 9:03 am
  #10  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,401
Originally Posted by ROCAT
Bluetooth devices or any device that sends a signal are not allowed to be used in flight in the US. It is listed in the magazine for every airline in back where they go over electronic devices.
So how is Bose still selling QC35s in that case?
no1cub17 is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 10:41 am
  #11  
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IL
Programs: UA Gold, DL Silver, Hertz PC, Avis Pref+, Accor Silver
Posts: 1,103
I've been told multiple times, across airlines, to put my wireless mouse away. I just gave up and now use a wired mouse on flights....
dand99 is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 11:41 am
  #12  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AMS
Posts: 2,043
Do y'all not have a mouse built in to your computers? Where are you getting these things?
CyBeR is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 12:46 pm
  #13  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond; AS 75K
Posts: 2,877
Originally Posted by cyber1k
FAs tell me that airplanes fall from the sky all of the time as a result cell phones which are left on during flight.. and near misses are largely a result of wireless headsets and mice.

Every FA is mandated to attend electronic interference school (EIS) at both boeing and airbus facilities before getting their EIS Certification.

I also heard that the wings can fall off if you flush a paper towel in the lav.

Please be very careful.
That's the rules for AA. If you want the rules to change, sent AA some data to suggest they do so. A juvenile post on FT won't do it.
tkelvin69 is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 12:57 pm
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
Originally Posted by CyBeR
Do y'all not have a mouse built in to your computers? Where are you getting these things?
I've never seen a laptop with a built-in mouse. They typically come with trackpads, but some people prefer an external, hand held mouse.

​​​​​
​​​​​​
rjw242 is offline  
Old Feb 25, 2017, 1:00 pm
  #15  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,120
Originally Posted by rjw242
I've never seen a laptop with a built-in mouse. They typically come with trackpads, but some people prefer an external, hand held mouse.

​​​​​
​​​​​​


Antarius is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.