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Dear Jack,
If
you're a traveler, you're probably used to hearing the instruction
"please turn off all electronic devices" when you fly. But that will
soon change.
After a year of twisting arms
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to either show any
evidence to back up the ban on electronic devices, or loosen the
restrictions, I finally got word today the FAA has embraced the expanded
use of portable electronic devices (like iPads, Kindles, and e-readers)
on airplanes.
Read more about the effort HERE.
This is great news for the traveling public - and frankly, a win for common sense.
The FAA announced the results
of a report by a specialized rulemaking committee, which announced that
expanded use of portable electronic devices would pose no risk to the
traveling public. In response, the agency initiated a plan in which
airlines may submit plans for the expanded use of PEDs on their flights -
plans that the FAA expects can be quickly approved. Two airlines
submitted such plans today, the very first day they could do so.
Despite
the news, you won't have to worry about listening to another traveler's
phone conversation on your flight. Today's announcement does not
include the use of cell phones on flights unless they're in "airplane
mode."
After
speaking personally with FAA Chief Michael Huerta this morning on the
status of the committee's report, I was assured the agency plans to work
directly with the airline industry to quickly relax existing
regulations - a process that the FAA believes could be largely completed
by the end of the year.
I
held the FAA's feet to the fire to move quickly and responsibly and it
has now delivered. I expect the airlines, as key partner stakeholders
who helped produce the recommendations to relax current restrictions, to
move quickly so that Americans flying for the holidays no longer face
restrictions that make no sense.
As
I continue my work as Chairman of the Consumer Production Subcommittee,
I'll keep you updated on issues that impact you, the consumer.
All the best,
P.S.
Have you ever been the victim of a scam or abusive and predatory
practices? I want to hear from you. Tell me your story on my website, HERE.
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Margaret Flowers and Kevin Zeese write "The story of Fukushima should be on the front pages of every newspaper. Instead, it is rarely mentioned. The problems at Fukushima are unprecedented in human experience and involve a high risk of radiation events larger than any that the global community has ever experienced. It is going to take the best engineering minds in the world to solve these problems and to diminish their global impact."
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