FAA Device Rules Illustrate the Folly of a Regulated Internet

First time accepted submitter cathyreisenwitz writes "The New York Times' Bits blog has a great piece on the FAA's inconvenient, outdated and unhelpful rules regarding electronic devices on planes: 'Dealing with the F.A.A. on this topic is like arguing with a stubborn teenager. The agency has no proof that electronic devices can harm a plane's avionics, but it still perpetuates such claims, spreading irrational fear among millions of fliers.' The rules illustrate why we shouldn't let the government regulate the internet: Government regulations are nearly always outdated and too cautious."

Not too clear on avionics are we?

[Anonymous Coward]

Avionics are safety critical. Is playing with electronic toys that important to you?

Maybe you should pause from your obsession with continuous entertainment to think. That's the stuff some people do when they're not being entertained.

Re:Wow

[K. S. Kyosuke]

Great, now you only have to mention an EMP bomb to drive your point home. What exactly makes it more illegal to run an unauthorized high-power transmitter on a plane instead of running it on the ground? And shall I turn off my wristwatch before I board the airplane? You know, there's electronics inside, too.

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Network Neutrality

[Minwee]

The FAA has a distinctly different reputation, M.O., and set of priorities then, say, the FCC.

Is there an FBB which is somewhere in between the two?

Re:Unhelpful article

[tweak13]

This is exactly what I was thinking. It's the FAA's job to keep planes flying and keep the people on them safe. It sure as hell is not their job to promote internet usage.

Basically the article is saying: "When you arbitrarily assign a job to a government agency, they're not very effective." Wow, I'm so glad that got cleared up. I was about ready to tell the local water works that they need to get me faster internet speeds.

Re:Network Neutrality

[fustakrakich]

Yes, the Federal Bullshit Bureau. They are the interface between the government and the public.