FAA Says No More Minesweeper Or Solitaire In Cockpit

If you like to pass the time playing minesweeper, or checking your Facebook updates while piloting a 900,000-pound aircraft 400 mph, you won't like the latest FAA decision. The agency has asked airlines to create policies to minimize cockpit distractions, including pilots' use of personal electronic devices. "There is no room for distraction when your job is to get people safely to their destinations," said DOT Secretary Ray LaHood. "The traveling public expects professional pilots to focus on flying and on safety at all times."

Comments

Re:They need something to do

[raddan]

My thoughts exactly. If the FAA is going to ban things that keep pilots awake, they need to offer an alternative. Maybe 900,000 lb aircraft should come with games built-in? Something that turns itself off during critical moments. Seriously, did they do a study before they made this ruling?

I have a lot more faith that a seasoned pilot playing minesweeper knows what he's doing than I do in some lawsuit-averse bureaucrat. That pilot is fully aware that errors will result in not just the deaths of everyone on board, but of himself too.