Quote:
Originally Posted by whitearrow
If radio emissions are the issue, then why aren't they actually checking devices to make sure they're off?
The current rules just don't make much sense, and people are less likely to respect rules they regard as illogical or silly.
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If they delayed takeoffs to get from the current, say, 98 percent compliance, to closer to 99 percent compliance, couldn't disrespect rise even more?
You wouldn't, I hope, want to hold up the plane because two cabin lights are out. But if ten are out, there is more possibility of a safety issue, and you probably can't fly (rules are published for each type of plane). Same with some of the little pieces on the outside of the plane that make it more aerodynamic. One off, not a big deal. I realize some of the passengers might say, OMG, if anything fell off of the outside of the plane the last segment, I don't want to be on this aircraft. However, that isn't realistic.
Aircraft have safety redundancies. Boeing shields the electrical system from radio interference, and, on top of that, they try to reduce the interference itself. This isn't something special with eReaders; it's the thinking behind many of the measures that have made flying the safest way to travel.
Aviation authorities are, quite properly, very conservative in the extent of physical imperfection allowed before a plane has to be grounded. But all or nothing just won't work.