JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Passengers in Jacksonville are praising the FAA for loosening the rules on electronics aboard flights.
"I am pleased to announce that airlines can safely expand passenger use of portable electronic devices during all phases of flight," said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta on Thursday afternoon.
"That would be wonderful, for me it would be," said Jan Hodes.
"I think it's a great idea. I don't understand why they didn't allow people to use them all along," said Vito Stellino.
Many people feel that it is "about time" that people are allowed to use electronics on the entire flight.
"I love it. I think it's exciting because people bring tablets or phones, they want to be checking emails or reading the books, it's genius," said Hafsa LaBreche.
"I think it's great, I do a lot of traveling for work, so I frequently want to get on my phone, my laptop and do work on the plane, so I don't have as much to do when I get there," said Matthew Berryman. "So from a professional perspective, it allows me to use my time well."
Timing has been one of the complaints over the 50-some years of electronics ban. Now, the FAA research indicates that most plans can handle radio interference like electronics generate.
"I don't think our safety is being compromised, all the research being done and evidence we're looking at, as long as that's in line with you know, taking off and landing policies, then it shouldn't be anything to worry about," said LaBreche.
While folks can multi-task with their electronics, the FAA said people still cannot make phone calls. The cellular network is an area that is still viewed as a potential risk.