Not being able to use an electronic device on a flight is something that annoys everybody who flies, but not every annoyed flyer sits on the senate committee that presides over aviation policy. But it just so happens that Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill does.
On Tuesday, McCaskill wrote the Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, telling him that he needs to update the "dated" and "absurd" policy. McCaskill threatened to pursue "legislative solutions" if he moves too slowly.
McCaskill said any scientific basis for restricting the use of electronic devices is weak.
"Right now, you have pilots using iPads in the cockpit," McCaskill said, laughing. "Clearly if they're using iPads, it seems obvious to me that they aren't any danger."
Current policy restricts usage of computers, smartphones and e-books when planes are below 10,000 feet. In August, the FAA suggested it might be willing to soften their stance on the rule, but nothing has changed yet.
"We want to make sure the public isn't being subjected to arbitrary rules," McCaskill said. "Everywhere we can do away with a regulation that makes no sense, I'm on board."
You can read McCaskill's letter to the FAA here.
Follow Chris McDaniel on Twitter: @csmcdaniel
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