As much as savvy travelers value cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms, airline safety remains the top priority in all passengers eyes. To improve airline safety, federal aviation regulations are pushing U.S. airlines to take steps to guarantee that their pilots are not distracted by laptops, cell phones and conversations unrelated to flying planes safely.
The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has initiated this action as a result of recent accidents and incidents in which pilots focus was diverted from flying. The FAA wants carriers to create a safety culture, setting specific rules and improving training to eliminate cockpit distractions.
Cockpit distractions and lack of professionalism have become major aviation safety issues over the past year. In October of 09 two Northwest Airlines pilots overflew their destination by 150 miles because they were working on their new Delta schedules on their laptops. 50 people were killed in February of 09 partly because the pilots were talking and not paying attention to flight conditions.
The FAA wants professional pilots focusing on flying and safety at all times.
U.S. airlines have acknowledged that cockpit distractions need to be addressed and have started reviewing their policies and procedures.
Experts are concerned that the dramatic increase in the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices has significant potential to negatively impact airline safety.
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