Travel Tips
Changing rules regarding the use of electronic devices
By Tania Moffat
N
ot too long ago flight attendants had to ensure pas- sengers turned off their electronic devices prior to takeoff. It was an arduous and thankless task. At the time, the news was filled with stories of people
refusing to end their game of solitaire, text or phone conversa- tions. Tere were incidences of planes returning to the gate to deposit passengers who just could not put away their devices. Tat all seems like it happened so long ago now, but it has just been a few short years since things have changed. In the past, passengers could use devices only during non-
critical phases of flight, a.k.a. the cruising portion and taxi-in. Today, many airlines not only allow you to use your devices throughout the flight, including take-off and landing, but now also offer inflight Internet. What’s happened? Is it suddenly safer to fly with electronics and cell phones during flight? Several things have led to this change. As long as devices are in airplane mode and not trans- mitting data, Transport Canada has altered the rules of flight to the delight of many passengers. Now passengers have the opportunity to let their child play their Nintendo 3DS/tablet, finish that next level of Candy Crush, or continue reading their e-book. “Cameras, tablets,
64 • Winter 2016
electronic games and e-readers, can be used from gate to gate, so long as they are in non-transmitting mode or flight mode, including during takeoff and landings,” says Transport Canada. Transport Canada has also further loosened restrictions re-
garding cellphone use to airlines that applied and were ap- proved for Wi-Fi service. Air Canada and WestJet both have begun to offer limited Wi-Fi service which allows tweets, emails and Internet use on board. Cellphones are also consid- ered electronic devices, but once the aircraft is in motion or before take off, customers aboard aircraft are still prohibited from making phone calls. Many Canadian airlines couldn’t be happier. It has opened the door to change and led to new types of onboard entertain- ment. Instead of screens on seat backs, airlines such as West- Jet and Air Canada now offer tablets-for-rent or free apps for passengers to download movies and other amenities to their own devices to enjoy. Passengers needn’t worry about running out of battery power either as USB ports have been installed in most armrests allowing you to charge your devices while you fly. Why were electronic devices barred in the first place? While it is unlikely that the use of these devices could lead
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