Ars Technica reports:
A Washington, DC appeals court ruled [May 15][1] that the Federal Aviation Administration did not overstep its authority when it allowed airline passengers to use electronic devices during takeoff and landing.
The Association of Flight Attendants had challenged the change, suing Michael Huerta, the administrator of the FAA, along with that agency.
However, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found that the FAA has always had the ability to change rules as it pleases. The FAA had determined that allowing phones, e-readers, and other devices were within its purview.
Since [it first permitted airlines to allow passengers to] use personal electronic devices (PEDs) [in] October 2013, the FAA has authorized 31 airlines to do so.
The meat of the issue is that FAA's Notice N8900 is not a legislative rule carrying "the force and effect of law".
[1] The entire page is behind scripts.
(Score: 2) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Monday May 18 2015, @04:59PM
the courts determine what is legal; that's quite a different thing.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 3, Informative) by isostatic on Monday May 18 2015, @07:06PM
the courts determine what is legal; that's quite a different thing.
Not always. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_nullification [wikipedia.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 19 2015, @09:58AM
Wait, shouldn't it be the laws which determine what is legal?