Rockefeller Warns Passenger Use of Electronic Devices 'Must Not Compromise Safety'

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV) said in a statement following the FAA's decision to expand the allowed use of Personal Electronic Devices on board airlines that such use "must not compromise safety." Rockefeller said that individual airlines will have to prove to the FAA that each type of aircraft can function safely while passengers use their devices. Passengers will still have to turn off the cellular service … place it in “airplane mode” … to use their device.

“Having access to e-mail or a movie is not worth compromising the safety of any flight. While today's ruling is an added convenience for consumers, we must keep in mind that safety is always our foremost concern when making improvements to the passenger experience on flights,” Rockefeller (pictured, left) said. “I’m confident the FAA will conduct exhaustive oversight of the entire process, and I expect the airlines to conduct thorough assessments on their fleets before they let passengers use electronic devices.”

John Thune (R-SD) (pictured, right), the ranking minority member on the committee, said the move was a step in the right direction for the FAA. He has long been an opponent of the policy requiring passengers to turn off their electronic devices during certain portions of a flight.

“I applaud the FAA for proceeding to implement the Aviation Rulemaking Committee’s recommendation to expand the use of certain electronic devices on airplanes while ensuring they do not interfere with navigation and safety equipment," Thune said. "I look forward to working with the airlines and the FAA to see that the current restrictions are lifted and that passengers can finally use e-books and other handheld devices before and after takeoff.”

FMI: www.commerce.senate.gov