Tag Archives: Safety
Times Contributor Blames the FAA for Making Devices Dangerous
We respect Nick Bilton and his writing. We even bought and read his book. His writing on the issues of the ban on portable electronics on airplanes have always made sense to us…till now. We believe his frustration, frustration we share, by the way, at the Federal Aviation Authority is warranted. But the tone seems…
FAA Seeking Public Comment on Portable Electronics
The FAA announced that they are forming a working group to study current policies related to portable electronic devices(PED). The group will review the FAA’s policies on devices and the procedures for determining whether they can be used during various phases of the flight. This doesn’t mean you’ll be able to use your cell phone…
United Loses Children
In June of 2009, we reported on how Continental Airlines had lost a young girl who was travelling under its unaccompanied minor program. Another similar situation has arisen with United Airlines, which merged with Continental, to the point that there is a petition on change.org, asking United to either redesign or discontinue its Unaccompanied Minors…
Rethinking Electronics in Flight or What’s Airplane Mode?
[caption id="attachment_1703" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Interior of Virgin America A320"][/caption] A few weeks ago, we commented on the ban on portable electronics. The truth is, in terms of the FAA’s stated rationale, there is little evidence presented that indicates the majority of electronics have any effect on aircraft systems. But, the other reason, the one not…
Senator Rand Paul Refuses To Be Groped By TSA Agents, Detained In Nashville
We don’t agree with most of what Senator Rand Paul stands for, but we agree wholeheartedly with his stand for liberty and personal freedom this morning in Nashville. It is being reported that Paul, the son of Texas congressman and Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, refused an “enhanced pat-down” by TSA agents after setting off…
Pilot Who Was Fired For Reporting Imbalanced Wheel Ten Times In Two Days Ordered Reinstated
TSA To Begin Having Agents Wear Devices To Measure Cumulative Radiation Exposure From ‘Safe’ Scanners
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="180" caption="Image by Martin Deutsch via Flickr"][/caption] There’s no health risk from the invasive scanners that the TSA has installed at airports around the country, the TSA has maintained. If you don’t like it, you can be searched in an inappropriately intimate way, or not allowed to fly. Now, the agency plans…
Steven Slater is No Longer with JetBlue: Tensions in the Sky
NBC New York has reported that a spokesperson for JetBlue has said that flipped out flight attendant Steven Slater is no longer with the airline, bringing an end, hopefully, to the Steven Slater saga. But that still leaves many flight attendants who wouldn’t do what he did, still frustrated in the sky.
Turbulence Injures – Haven’t We Said That Before?
Image by Pylon757 via Flickr A Continental Airlines flight from Brazil to Texas hit turbulence early this morning, injuring at least 26 people, 4 of them seriously. Continental reports that the fasten seatbelt sign was on at the time. The aircraft, a Boeing 767, had 168 passengers and 11 crew onboard and made an emergency…