Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!iuvax!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!uicsrd.csrd.uiuc.edu!midkiff
From: midkiff@uicsrd.csrd.uiuc.edu (Sam Midkiff)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Re: airport x-ray machines/laptops
Keywords: laptops, eproms, x-ray
Message-ID: <1990Feb8.152936.22462@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Date: 8 Feb 90 15:29:36 GMT
References: <6325@rice-chex.ai.mit.edu> <4892@newton.praxis.co.uk>
Sender: news@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (News)
Reply-To: midkiff@uicsrd.csrd.uiuc.edu (Sam Midkiff)
Organization: Center for Supercomputing Research and Development, Univ. of Illinois
Lines: 37

In article <4892@newton.praxis.co.uk> johnr@praxis.co.uk (John Richards) writes:
>
>On another tack, someone in this newsgroup suggested that machines had to
>have FCC clearance to be used on a plane or they could be confiscated (! -
>sounds extreme when they could just ask you to stop using it). He/she
>said his/her Z88 had an FCC clearance sticker on it. I've used my Z88 on
>planes with never a complaint but there is no FCC sticker. Should I be
>worried?
>                                      John Richards

It's always dangerous to interpret FAR's, but then if I make an error, it will
prompt someone with more info to answer.  The pilot in command of an aircraft
has a lot of power, not unlike the captain of a ship.  This power includes the
right to decide if a particular piece of equipment, be it laptop or walkman,
poses a danger to the flight by interfering with communications (or anything
else for that matter.)  If he thinks it does, then he can have it taken from
you (confiscated) for the duration of the flight.  I can't see how permanent
confiscation would be allowed since it doesn't pose a danger to his flight
once on the ground.  

Note that having an FCC sticker doesn't require the pilot to allow you to use 
a piece of equipment.  The FCC sticker does not say that a laptop will not 
interfere with radio communications on any airplane under any conditions.  
Perhaps an FAA sticker might, but they don't exist.  Most pilots have better 
things to do with their time than antagonize passengers, however, and will
probably assume that anything that meets the FCC requirements is safe.  In
any case, it is the pilot's decision, and I have no doubt that if he noticed 
interference on communication or navigation instruments that he would instruct
the stewards to begin taking the passenger's laptops, etc.

Finally, if you don't cooperate with a pilot, or a steward acting for the
pilot, you might very well find yourself under arrest after the plane lands
at the nearest convenient airport.  If you want to argue, you are advised to
do it on the ground.

Sam Midkiff
midkiff@uicsrd.csrd.uiuc.edu