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Author Topic: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports  (Read 631 times)

Offline eagl

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NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« on: October 26, 2009, 04:04:16 PM »
CNN is reporting that the two pilots in that northwest airlines flight that ignored ATC and procedures for an hour were on their personal laptops, researching stuff related to their discussion about airline policies and an upcoming merger.

And... hilarity ensued.  Here's my contribution:

It used to be that distracting inflight "laptop" activities involved cute stewardesses in the cockpit...
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Offline sluggish

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2009, 04:54:09 PM »
"Stewardess" is such a sexist term.  We prefer "flight attendant" now.
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Offline JB88

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2009, 04:55:35 PM »
sky wench.

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Offline Tac

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2009, 04:55:57 PM »
nonsense.. they were playing WOW... fess up pilots!
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Offline Ack-Ack

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2009, 05:28:08 PM »
I thought laptops weren't permitted to be turned on while inflight because of potential interference problems?  So much for that theory...


ack-ack
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Offline soda72

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2009, 05:36:10 PM »
Quote from: JB88 on October 26, 2009, 04:55:35 PM
sky wench.

oh that's so 1700'ish..

 :P
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Offline soda72

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2009, 05:38:48 PM »
Quote from: Ack-Ack on October 26, 2009, 05:28:08 PM
I thought laptops weren't permitted to be turned on while inflight because of potential interference problems?  So much for that theory...


ack-ack

They only make you put it away during take off and landing, during flight you can use it if you want..
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Offline Ruler2

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2009, 05:57:10 PM »
/\   must have been the pilot  :joystick:
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Offline eagl

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2009, 06:24:30 PM »
Quote from: sluggish on October 26, 2009, 04:54:09 PM
"Stewardess" is such a sexist term.  We prefer "flight attendant" now.

"Used to".  Sheesh, read the effing post  :mad:

 :neener:
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Offline MORAY37

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2009, 06:26:05 PM »
Quote from: Ack-Ack on October 26, 2009, 05:28:08 PM
I thought laptops weren't permitted to be turned on while inflight because of potential interference problems?  So much for that theory...


ack-ack

Haven't you watched "MythBusters"? 

 :aok
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Offline eagl

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #10 on: October 26, 2009, 06:29:12 PM »
Quote from: Ack-Ack on October 26, 2009, 05:28:08 PM
I thought laptops weren't permitted to be turned on while inflight because of potential interference problems?  So much for that theory...

That's never been true.

Laptops and personal electronic devices that have not been certified for inflight use by the FAA can not be used during takeoff, approach to landing, or landing.  During other times, the only restriction has been to shut off anything that transmits (like wifi).  Even that's changed however, as airlines are getting their planes certified for flight in the presence of wifi networks, and are offering inflight wifi.

As for pilots using laptops, "electronic flight bags" are nothing more than certified laptops with different levels of software and features.  Some laptops are nothing more than data carriers, holding things like tech references, checklists, company-specific info such as flight plans and gate info, etc.  Some EFBs are certified for use as electronic checklists in lieu of other checklists, and some are even certified to be plugged into aircraft systems (like GPS nav) and can be used to monitor instrument approaches overlayed right on top of the approach plate.  It's all very nifty, but even the most gucci and highly certified EFBs are really just laptops certified for various levels of reliabilityand compatibility.
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Offline rogwar

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #11 on: October 26, 2009, 06:45:19 PM »
Has anyone ever considered maybe they were in love?

All that travel and time together in the uh cockpit...it's a possibility.



As far as laptops in flight, I was working on mine while flying to Portland and even hooked up on the internet. Made a post on here even.
« Last Edit: October 26, 2009, 06:48:48 PM by rogwar »
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Offline Meatwad

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #12 on: October 26, 2009, 06:54:28 PM »
Quote from: sluggish on October 26, 2009, 04:54:09 PM
"Stewardess" is such a sexist term.  We prefer "flight attendant" now.


Flying skirts  :aok
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Offline 68ZooM

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2009, 06:55:42 PM »
They were playing AcesHigh    gezzz :cheers:
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Offline saggs

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Re: NorthWest pilots on laptops - CNN reports
« Reply #14 on: October 26, 2009, 07:05:20 PM »
I don't buy the laptop story, I thing still thing they were both fast asleep.  I mean even while distracted on a laptop you would notice ATC screaming in your ear "WHAT THE CRAPS GOING ON?"  I can only imagine what the poor controllers must have been thinking, hijacking, another 9-11, cabin depressurization.

My brother is an airline pilot, he's told me about pilots he knows, when they fly it's "wheels up, auto pilot on, lights out"
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