14 DAY TRIAL // After years and years of glare-downs between airplane passengers and the ones in charge of aircraft safety rules, gadgets are no longer considered a hazard.
The rules against use of devices have mostly been in place as a means to ensure passengers pay attention to takeoff and landing (since that's when accidents and other problems arise usually).
British Airways has just become the first European airline to allow gadget use during take-off and landing.
That only means phone and e-readers though, oddly enough. The rules still say you can't make any phone calls, or send text, and that wireless devices will have to stay in airplane mode too.
Also, Laptops aren't included in the list of devices allowed to work during takeoff and landing.
Still, it's progress, and it will allow passengers an extra 30 minutes with their high-tech toys.
More European airlines are bound to follow BA's example now that European Aviation Safety Agency and the FAA are hashing out the new and looser rules.