Flight attendants want all portable electronic devices stowed during takeoff and landing

Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration relaxed airline rules regarding in-flight use of portable electronic devices during all phases of flight, including during takeoff and landing. According to a brief filed in the US Court of Appeals, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA is suing the FAA to enforce its existing regulation that requires stowage of all items during takeoff and landing to ensure the safety of flight; any subsequent change to this regulation would have to be made through a formal rulemaking process.

While that change may slightly inconvenience passengers who will need to stow (but not turn off) their electronic devices during the few minutes consumed by takeoff and landing, the flight attendants say the overriding issue is safety. A member survey conducted by AFA found that even more passengers are disregarding safety announcements than before. And, failure to stow devices during takeoff and landing, which are the riskiest portions of flight, means that the devices themselves may fly out of passengers' hands, becoming airborne and striking other cabin occupants, or land in aisles and ultimately impede evacuation following an emergency incident.

In addition, AFA President Sara Nelson said, “As first responders and the last line of defense in our nation's aviation system, Flight Attendants remain strongly opposed to cell phone use in the aircraft cabin.”

Speed Matters supports the flight attendants and urges the FAA and airlines to put aircraft safety first.