It is now safe to turn on and leave on your electronic devices
Tech Industry
-I have always got my iPhone with me-- at least I've got a Kindle.
-My laptop, my cellphone.
-My iPod Touch and my cellphone.
-Whether flying for business or pleasure, most passengers packed multiple electronic devices in their carry-on luggage, all of which, they have to power off prior to takeoff and landing.
But that's about to change.
An advisory panel to the Federal Aviation Administration is recommending
that passengers be allowed to use their e-readers, listen to podcasts, watch videos and play games during takeoff and landing.
The new policy could take effect as soon as 2014.
In the statement, the FAA acknowledged the need for change saying, "The FAA recognizes consumers are intensely interested in the US of personal electronic aboard aircraft.
That is why we tasked the government industry group to examine the safety issues and the feasibility of
changing the current restrictions.
Aviation expert say that in the era of inflight Wi-Fi service, the FAA have to concede that there's no hard data supporting the theory that electronic devices interfere with flight instruments.
-The most logical reason for lifting the ban is everyone else is using them.
They're on private planes, they're everywhere, they're at the airport.
Soon as that plane touches down, you can turn them on again.
So obviously, it doesn't to interfere with communications at or when you're near the airport.
There just was no evidence.
-Today's
aircrafts are also well-protected.
-There are shield that-- not only they're not shielded against air and the-- radio telecommunication signals and, by the way, the [unk] dedicated frequencies and dedicated lines.
Those aircraft are shielded against the lightning strikes.
-You still won't be able to place calls through the flight and the ban on texting, e-mailing and using Wi-Fi during departure and arrival will remain intact as well.
But you can turn to your playlist and e-books
for entertainment.
In San Francisco, I'm Sumi Das, CNET.com for CBS News.
