When is a handheld device too big?
#1
Original Poster
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Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 11,702
When is a handheld device too big?
Now that handheld devices are allowed to be used during taxi, takeoff and landing, I am seeing more cases of:
1 - huge tablets (that are like 8x11 paper size) that take 2 hands to hold
2 - tablet / notebook convertibles
Not to mention people plugging them in during taxi/takeoff/landing.
Last year, I was on a flight, the guy had an ultrabook and he said it was not a notebook/laptop so he was entitled to use it during taxi/takeoff. Luckily the FA put a stop to that.
Does it take an accident where people get slammed on the head by those huge devices or trip over these huge devices/wires during evacuation for the FAA to do something about it?
1 - huge tablets (that are like 8x11 paper size) that take 2 hands to hold
2 - tablet / notebook convertibles
Not to mention people plugging them in during taxi/takeoff/landing.
Last year, I was on a flight, the guy had an ultrabook and he said it was not a notebook/laptop so he was entitled to use it during taxi/takeoff. Luckily the FA put a stop to that.
Does it take an accident where people get slammed on the head by those huge devices or trip over these huge devices/wires during evacuation for the FAA to do something about it?
#2
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Join Date: Oct 2004
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FAs are announcing more often IME that you may not have devices plugged in during taxi/takeoff/landing, FWIW.
#3




Join Date: Sep 2012
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#4
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 11,702
Yes, and it gets me when people in exit rows plug them back in!
The light on the aisle side of the seats is supposed to indicate someone is drawing electricity, I think. However, my observation is that it is not 100% accurate - I have seen people plugging their devices and the light does not turn on.
The other issue is just the huge devices - I think we need to define what hand-held means.
The reality is that in this "me world" and relatively safe aviation environment, nothing will change until something really bad happens.
The light on the aisle side of the seats is supposed to indicate someone is drawing electricity, I think. However, my observation is that it is not 100% accurate - I have seen people plugging their devices and the light does not turn on.
The other issue is just the huge devices - I think we need to define what hand-held means.
The reality is that in this "me world" and relatively safe aviation environment, nothing will change until something really bad happens.

