When it comes to electronic gadgets and devices, I'm a little like
Charlton Heston was when it came to his gun. The only way you are going to take my iPhone away from me is to, "pry it from my cold, dead hand." The same goes for my iPad and my
Nexus 7 tablet.
However, despite my attachment to these gadgets, I think the time and energy spent by the FAA
on repealing the rule that electronic devices need to be powered off and put away during take-off and landing is a bad idea. The rule as it stands ("if it has an on/off switch it needs to be off) is just fine.
If indeed, the most critical time on an airplane is during take-off and landing shouldn't passengers be ready to be alerted to the possibility that an emergency is imminent? You shouldn't be playing Angry Birds and be oblivious to the fact that everyone else is panicked because the bird you are flying on is going down. Why spend money researching and investigating whether
boors like Alec Baldwin can safely engross himself in playing Words With Friends?
It would be nice if government regulation of the use of your electronic device wasn't needed. However, I've flown enough to know that airline passengers are too often inconsiderate and don't exercise common sense. I remember a few years ago I was on a plane about to depart from JFK when a passenger was still gabbing on her cell phone even though the flight attendants were giving the safety instructions and the plane was taxiing down the runway. Apparently this passenger didn't find the "
Delta Girl" anywhere near as captivating as I do.
And if they ever allow passengers to talk on cell phones during the flight, I'll be done with flying. Sure, people talk everywhere else in public on cell phones these days, but at least those of us who find it annoying have the ability to pick up our things and walk out the door. That's not an option on an airplane, unless you're
D.B. Cooper.
I think the FAA ought to scrub their research project and spend the money they save on something more worthwhile. Like buying every passenger their own set of
noise canceling headphones.
* * *
Over the weekend I paid a visit to the newly opened
Granada Books which is located next door to the theater by the same name on State Street. Nicely done and nice selection of books. I encourage everyone to pay them a visit. After all, books purchased from Granada Books, or for that matter
Chaucer's or
The Book Den don't have to be powered down during take off or landing.
