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May 10, 2013

Many Passengers Leave Electronic Devices on During Flight

By Nicole Spector, Contributing Writer

Hey, if it doesn't work for Alec Baldwin, why should it work for the rest of us?

A study released on Thursday by the Airline Passenger Experience Association and the Consumer Electronics Association (News - Alert) reveals that 30 percent of all air passengers admit to “accidentally” leaving an electronic device on during takeoff or landing, which is, you know, the most precarious time of a plane's journey.



Roughly 67 percent of those surveyed said they had never neglected to shut down, while four percent were unsure, which probably means they too can get lumped into the “accidentally forgetting to shut off (and thus endangering an entire flight)” category.

Passengers were also asked if they in general turn their devices to “off” when instructed to do so specifically by the pilot – not by the steward or stewardess, who may be interpreted as just going through the motions.

Although 59 percent of passengers said they comply and fully turn their electronics off, 21 percent said they often simply switch to “airplane mode,” which only disables the main radios of a gadget but does not turn off its electronics.

Five percent sometimes adhere to the rule. The rest were either unsure or do not carry electronic devices on a plane. The latter people must be infants?

Last year, the F.A.A. said it would begin a review of its policies on electronic devices in all phases of flight. That hasn't happened yet, and the agency has not indicated any changes.

“Airline passengers have come to rely on their smartphones, tablets and e-Readers as essential travel companions,” said Doug Johnson (News - Alert), vice president of technology policy at the C.E.A., in the study.

The smartphone is the most left on device of all.

The study published by the APEA and CEA found that every four out of 10 passengers would like to use their devices during all phases of flight, including takeoff and landing.

The most disheartening thing about this study? Now people can say, “Well, if all those planes didn't crash, it must really not be a big deal to leave my iPhone (News - Alert) on!”




Edited by Alisen Downey
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