FAA to discuss new electronic device rules

SEATTLE -- A Federal Aviation Administration committee announced it would meet this week to decide on a set of recommendations for electronic device usage on airplanes.

Recommendations would address whether restrictions should be eased for device usage during take-offs and landings. According to The New York Times, the recommendations would cover e-readers, listening to podcasts and watching videos.

Officials said cell phones, email, texting and Wi-Fi would not be part of the FAA recommendations, since their use on airplanes is prohibited by the Federal Communications Commission.

The FAA has restrictions on electronic devices out of concern that they could cause problems with a plane's communications system. Passengers are allowed to use some electronic devices once the plane rises above 10,000 feet.

The Times reported that once the recommendations are received by the FAA, the agency would then work on putting the new policy in place, possibly by next year.