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From: astieber@convex.csd.uwm.edu (Anthony J Stieber)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Re: Using laptops on airplanes
Message-ID: <8056@uwm.edu>
Date: 4 Dec 90 18:53:16 GMT
References: <160670@kean.ucs.mun.ca> <2236@abcom.ATT.COM> <17827@hydra.gatech.EDU>
Sender: news@uwm.edu
Organization: University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
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In article <17827@hydra.gatech.EDU> gt5302b@prism.gatech.EDU (R. Steve Walker) writes:
>In article <2236@abcom.ATT.COM> bcttst1@abcom.ATT.COM (4684446 ) writes:
>>
>>I believe the use of laptops on airplanes is prohibited since the laptops
>>emit radio frequency radiation which may interfere with navigational,
>>as well as other, on-board instrumentation.
>>
>>You would not that popular if you caused the plane to malfunction!
>I have never been told not to use a laptop on a airplane.  [...]

At one time there was a lot of hysteria about problems with RFI from
laptops on aircraft, but that was several years ago.  Before I flew it
was suggested that laptop users talk to the pilot about using a laptop
on board.  The only two times I have flown, I asked the pilots if I
could use my laptop in flight.  Basicly they were pretty unconcerned
about it.  It was like they were thinking "Why are you asking me?  I
don't care."  I did use my machine, and wasn't aware of any problems.
I would still ask the pilot about using any kind of electronics that I
bring on board the plane.

Going through airport security was interesting.  I asked to have my
machine hand checked rather than go through the x-ray machine.  They
wanted me to turn the machine on, it's a Toshiba T1000 which boot from
a ROM disk, the guard remarked on how quickly the machine came up.
That was a bit scary, especially when they didn't ask to look in the
large zippered pocket or the largish disk cases.   The thing that most
excited them were the cables and my shaver in my backpack which they
saw as it went through the x-ray machine.  They did ask to look in
there, but lost interest after a quick look.

I'm sure security will vary alot depending on which airport it is,
where you're going, and whether there have been threats or problems
recently.
--
<-:(= Anthony Stieber	astieber@csd4.csd.uwm.edu   uwm!uwmcsd4!astieber