Flights with no e-readers?!

[calvin-c]

Originally Posted by lene1949

I think this could be true for devices which will connect somewhere wirelessly...

I don't believe it would be true for none wireless devices..

Since the ruling is senseless in the first place I wouldn't expect sense from the details either.

Even wirelessly connected devices have been proven to not interfere with the plane's electronics-but you're still required to turn them off. (BTW, I support the policy of turning them off-I just don't kid anyone that it has anything to do with the plane's electronics. I support it because their use irritates the hell out of me-and, assuming it similarly irritates other passengers, then requiring that they be turned off does make the flight safer. But it still has nothing to do with the electronics, only common courtesy (or the lack thereof).

Originally Posted by HarryT

This all seems to be down to rather lax security at the airport in Nigeria where the gentleman boarded the aircraft. It seems like rather an "over the top" reaction to "punish" people on domestic flights in the US, where there is already excellent security.

'excellent' security? You need to read some of the reports. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11882430/ is the most recent test I could find, from 2006, but I don't think it's really gotten better. The whole industry could be used as a case study in how *not* to handle problems. Most of the security procedures don't provide any protection, but they certainly create opportunities to PO customers. I do NOT understand why the airlines do this. (And I firmly believe that it is the airlines. If they actually cared, they would be lobbying the TSA-and higher-to change the rules so they could treat their customers better.)

Personally, I've refused to fly anywhere for the last 4 years-and the last time I did fly it was because our car broke down on the way out of town. It was either fly to our destination or let the concert tickets (and other pre-paid costs) go unused.

[Amalthia]

Are they really saying no one is allowed to use the bathroom for the last hour of the flight??? That can't end well! the last time I flew back from Europe I got a stomach bug and was in the bathroom throwing up just before landing and then right afterwards. Okay that trip was a nightmare. Being able to access a bathroom seems like a very necessary right. I don't want to be on a plane when someone is obviously sick and needs a restroom and they can't go to it. Not for the prices they are charging for flights anyways.

I mean really, there are some things you can hold, and some things, not so much.

[Rob G.]

Originally Posted by ficbot

I am waiting for someone to try and blow up a plane using a baby carseat. What will they do then, ban babies?

After my last flight, I certainly wouldn't object to a baby ban. (Or at least banning their idiot parents.)

[Robertb]

Dear All:

I work for Astak and we make eBook Readers such as the Pocket PRO.

I am almost afraid to say it but my wife works for TSA. She says there are no rumors at all of TSA banning eBook Readers on planes.

There is a possibility where they might be treated as a laptop computer (which they are not) and you might have to turn it on at the screening to prove that it is what it looks like... a simple eBook Reader.

But, for now, I think this is much ado about nothing! Us eBook lovers will still be reading away in the air. And... at $199... it may well be on a Pocket PRO with Text-To-Speech!!

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:
...

I am almost afraid to say it but my wife works for TSA. .....

Aiiiiieeee!!!!

[Barcey]

Unless ebook reader are "special needs" it's not looking good.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/...y.html?ref=rss

Canadian airline passengers are barred from bringing any carry-on luggage aboard U.S.-bound flights, with some key exceptions, under new security rules announced Monday.

Transport Canada decreed the new airport security measures — which take effect immediately — in a statement Monday evening. They include a prohibition on bringing baggage aboard the cabin of any flight bound for the United States, with certain exceptions:

*

Medication or medical devices, including crutches, canes, walkers and containers carrying life-sustaining items.
*

Small purses.
*

Cameras.
*

Coats.
*

Items for care of infants.
*

Laptop computers
*

Musical instruments.
*

Diplomatic or consular bags.
*

Other special needs items.

[whitearrow]

Yes, except for flights from Canada (which seems to be having a truly special meltdown) into the US, it doesn't seem to be true elsewhere, from the reports on FlyerTalk.

Even the Canada thing is in effect temporarily, for the moment.

[Donnageddon]

"Guns don't kill people, people do!"

So goes the old NRA saw. Same thing with jet plane terrorism. No need to ban ereaders or fingernail clippers. Ban people and that ends the threat.

From terrorists or gun deaths.

Ban People Not Ereaders!

Bumperstickers will be needed to spread the word.

[MikeRo]

Originally Posted by whitearrow

Yes, except for flights from Canada (which seems to be having a truly special meltdown) into the US, it doesn't seem to be true elsewhere, from the reports on FlyerTalk.

Even the Canada thing is in effect temporarily, for the moment.

Most major Canadian airports have US Customs and Immigration preclearance operations. These are staffed by US CBP officers. I suspect these new rules are coming from the CBP officers.

[Kathee]

My only reason for thinking of an ebook reader is so I don't have to carry an extra bag of books!

[ficbot]

Could you fit the ebook reader in a small purse?

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

"Guns don't kill people, people do!"

So goes the old NRA saw. Same thing with jet plane terrorism. No need to ban ereaders or fingernail clippers. Ban people and that ends the threat.

From terrorists or gun deaths.

Ban People Not Ereaders!

Bumperstickers will be needed to spread the word.

No... A fully-armed group of passengers is a *polite* group of passengers. If the bad guys know that gimlet-eyed, 10mm-carrying passengers will ventilate them at the first overt sign of terrorist activity, the bad guys will not attempt such activity so often. And they've shown time and time again that a couple of rounds through the average airliner window won't 'explosively decompress' the cabin - that's just Hollyweird talking.

Derek

[kfarmer]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

No place is more exotic than a Radical Faery sanctuary house in Berkeley, CA.

So you know Storm & Chas, then?

[Jellby]

Cameras.

If phones can have a camera, so can an ebook reader

Musical instruments.

Add a jingle bell to your reader and turn it into a musical instrument

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by ficbot

Could you fit the ebook reader in a small purse?

Since I can fit my PDA in my shirt pocket, I'd be in good shape! The regs don't seem to ban things that are pocket-sized.