Aids HIV FAQ

Portable CD Players: United vs. US Air

Question:

(Jeff Edelheit) says: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Fortunately, the airlines all allow tape players, and seem to have no >clue about dats. >Seth >I think that USAir stated all electronic devices.  This included tape >players.  Therefore, DATs would also be banned. >The MITRE Corporation   voice:  (703) 883-7586 >7525 Colshire Drive     FAX:    (703) 883-1397 >McLean, VA   22102

Just for the record, any airline which issues a blind, blanket ban of "all electronic devices" is likely to be in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), since such a ban would include such adaptive devices as hearing aids, speech synthesizers, etc., used by disabled persons. Any airline doing this is likely, IMHO, to be a sitting duck for a huge loss in litigation, and deservedly so. W. K. Gorman

Response:

>>>Last week, a USAir FA told me that I would have to put my CD player >>away, that USAir had banned the use of CD players.  When I nicely >>asked "Isn’t it just for use under 10,000 feet?"  She replied, that it >>was at any level, including parked at the gate.  I later asked a gate >>attendant and another FA and they confirmed the first FA’s comments. >This happened to me on the DCA->MCI leg of my April (vacation) trip to >Des Moines.  Being that this was at 0700 and I had been up all the >previous night, I was not a happy camper.  On top of that, those things >that were passed out (alleged headsets) had absolutely no sound quality >… and there was nothing decent on the program … AND US(eless) Air >does not offer "cockpit chatter" (whereas United does). >Northwest allows electronics to be used at altitudes above 10,000 ft.  I don’t >know if they fly to Des Moines, though.

The DCA->MCI comment was mine … and it is funny that you mention Northwest because the last time my LD-SO flew out to see me, she flew Northwest from DSM via MSP … and they told her that her tape player was a no-no …   Yes, Northwest flies to DSM, but connections must be made either in MSP or DTW (recent addition of DTW->DSM non-stops). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->The USAir MCI<->DSM runs were on a Beechcraft B100 (18 people max), but >on the return home from MCI->DCA, I had no trouble with the CD player. >Strange … >It is quite unfortunate to see airlines have different regulations about >this.  I sense that US Air (and Delta perhaps) may start losing out on the >family vacation travellers, as most children like to have their music and >"game boys" to use while in the air, esp. on those long flights.  Also, the >business travellers that depend on flight time with the portable laptops >will eventually switch over, so that they can continue to do the vital work >that can be done on a long flight. >I think that these airlines that do not allow such devices during an entire >flight need to have a serious reality check.  How long do they think they >can remain competitive with this?  I know it may be a small issue, but as >long as people know that there IS an airline where kids can play their music >and video games, where business people can still work en route to/from an >important meeting, it only makes sense that they would choose to fly on an >airline that would best serve their purpose. >Northwest allowed all electronics above 10,000 ft., even on an A320, with that >controversial "fly-by-wire" system.  I agree, those airlines do need a reality >check.  If NW was not concerned about electronics on a plane which is COMPLETELY >computer-controlled, I don’t know what the other carriers are worried about.   >However, I have no problem with restrictions on electronics during takeoffs >and landings, where pilot control is essential.

Hmmm … well, I know that United has the 10,000 ft. rule, which seems to be the accepted standard with the airline leaders. >I am flying out to Iowa again for my LD-SO’s birthday in two weeks.  This >time, however, I have chosen the Friendly Skies, so that I can enjoy my >flight while being able to listen to Tchaikovsky along the way. >And don’t forget about the "cockpit chatter" on the United system.  :-)

You bet!  I’m anxious to listen to the traffic going into O’Hare, although I wonder if the United crew will offer the service for only a two-hour flight from IAD to ORD … I still have my US(eless) Air round trip freebee, but am holding out until such time that I hear that they have followed United’s lead with the 10K ft. rule (or until the ticket expires, which comes first). Bob    Member, Technical Staff         US Mail:  15000 Conference Center Dr.    GTE Federal Systems Division              Chantilly, VA   22021-3808    (703)-818-4656 – Voice                    (703)-818-7091 – FAX

Response:

>Fortunately, the airlines all allow tape players, and seem to have no >clue about dats. >Seth

I think that USAir stated all electronic devices.  This included tape players.  Therefore, DATs would also be banned. The MITRE Corporation   voice:  (703) 883-7586 7525 Colshire Drive     FAX:    (703) 883-1397 McLean, VA   22102

Response:

>>Last week, a USAir FA told me that I would have to put my CD player >away, that USAir had banned the use of CD players.  When I nicely >asked "Isn’t it just for use under 10,000 feet?"  She replied, that it >was at any level, including parked at the gate.  I later asked a gate >attendant and another FA and they confirmed the first FA’s comments. >This happened to me on the DCA->MCI leg of my April (vacation) trip to >Des Moines.  Being that this was at 0700 and I had been up all the >previous night, I was not a happy camper.  On top of that, those things >that were passed out (alleged headsets) had absolutely no sound quality >… and there was nothing decent on the program … AND US(eless) Air >does not offer "cockpit chatter" (whereas United does).

Northwest allows electronics to be used at altitudes above 10,000 ft.  I don’t know if they fly to Des Moines, though. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->The USAir MCI<->DSM runs were on a Beechcraft B100 (18 people max), but >on the return home from MCI->DCA, I had no trouble with the CD player. >Strange … >It is quite unfortunate to see airlines have different regulations about >this.  I sense that US Air (and Delta perhaps) may start losing out on the >family vacation travellers, as most children like to have their music and >"game boys" to use while in the air, esp. on those long flights.  Also, the >business travellers that depend on flight time with the portable laptops >will eventually switch over, so that they can continue to do the vital work >that can be done on a long flight. >I think that these airlines that do not allow such devices during an entire >flight need to have a serious reality check.  How long do they think they >can remain competitive with this?  I know it may be a small issue, but as >long as people know that there IS an airline where kids can play their music >and video games, where business people can still work en route to/from an >important meeting, it only makes sense that they would choose to fly on an >airline that would best serve their purpose.

Northwest allowed all electronics above 10,000 ft., even on an A320, with that controversial "fly-by-wire" system.  I agree, those airlines do need a reality check.  If NW was not concerned about electronics on a plane which is COMPLETELY computer-controlled, I don’t know what the other carriers are worried about.   However, I have no problem with restrictions on electronics during takeoffs and landings, where pilot control is essential. >I am flying out to Iowa again for my LD-SO’s birthday in two weeks.  This >time, however, I have chosen the Friendly Skies, so that I can enjoy my >flight while being able to listen to Tchaikovsky along the way.

And don’t forget about the "cockpit chatter" on the United system.  :-) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Jon Dunn< >Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.<

Response:

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