McCaskill wants relaxed device rules on flights

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill says she's ready to file legislation allowing greater use of electronic devices by airline passengers if federal regulators don't act quickly to do so.

McCaskill has written to the Federal Aviation Administration urging it to relax current restrictions on using unapproved computers, smartphones and e-books when planes are below 10,000 feet.

McCaskill's letter says the federal policy seems to reflect an outdated fear of devices that run on electricity. She says it's absurd to retain the restrictions for passengers given that the FAA decided earlier this year to let pilots use tablet computers in the cockpit.

McCaskill is a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

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HorseGlue4u 6 months, 1 week ago

Oh, so now the passengers will have to tolerate unruly gadget- users abusing this "right", where fights will break out and planes falling from the sky, over...entertainment? McRascal, there are FAR more concerns, dear.

JCLifer 6 months, 1 week ago

What makes Claire an expert on avionics?

asb 6 months, 1 week ago

She isn't an expert on avionics. She doesn't have to be to sponsor a bill drafted by experts and staff with resources allowing them to create law on avionics and any other technical areas that Congress deals with every day. She is, however, a developing comedianne. Her whiplash schtick on O'Connell objecting to his own bill was priceless, even got a belly laugh of ol' Mitch. Her recent opponent would likely have introduced a bill entitled "If Gawd Had Intended Us to Fly, He Would've Given Us Wings!"

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