Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

[SPTO]

This is ridiculous

Pertinent excerpts:

Quote:

WASHINGTON - Two Northwest Airlines pilots reportedly told federal investigators that they were going over scheduling using their laptop computers in violation of company policy while their plane overflew their Minneapolis destination by 150 miles.

Quote:

The board said the pilots told investigators the first officer was instructing the captain on monthly flight crew scheduling. The pilots were out of communication with air traffic controllers and their airline for over an hour and didn't realize their mistake until contacted by a flight attendant.

Quote:

Air traffic controllers tried for more than an hour Wednesday night to contact the Minneapolis-bound flight, which later turned around and landed safely.

I know nothing bad happened but still, that's pretty dumb to be tinkering around looking up crew schedules when uh, you got a freaking plane to fly!

[Chaos81]

"Two Northwest Airlines pilots told federal investigators that they were going over schedules using their laptop computers in violation of company policy while their plane overflew their Minneapolis destination by 150 miles, the National Transportation Safety Board said Monday."


EDIT: I should add I find it hard to believe they were on their laptops. I guess it's entirely possible, but I can't see how they wouldn't have heard any of the communications intended for them, or wondered why they hadn't heard anything. In my opinion they were asleep, hopefully we'll find out for sure one way or another.

[Knight165]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chaos81

"Two Northwest Airlines pilots told federal investigators that they were going over schedules using their laptop computers in violation of company policy while their plane overflew their Minneapolis destination by 150 miles, the National Transportation Safety Board said Monday." EDIT: I should add I find it hard to believe they were on their laptops. I guess it's entirely possible, but I can't see how they wouldn't have heard any of the communications intended for them, or wondered why they hadn't heard anything. In my opinion they were asleep, hopefully we'll find out for sure one way or another.

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I love flyin'

M.K.
Knight165

[Cusefan]

The thread title is misleading. The Article states that Pilots are not allowed to look at their laptops. Fire em and move on.

[no juice]

it's not much different than texting and driving so...

[p_rushing]

well they should have the logs from the plane's router to prove it, unless they weren't on the internet

[Burns11]

It should be noted that these pilots had absolutely nothing to do during the flight, other than sit back and watch. That doesn't excuse not actually watching, but let's not make this into a bigger thing than it is.

[kehlis]

Quote: Originally Posted by Burns11

It should be noted that these pilots had absolutely nothing to do during the flight, other than sit back and watch. That doesn't excuse not actually watching, but let's not make this into a bigger thing than it is.

I wouldn't have an issue with it had they not overshot their destination by what 130 miles? Not to mention that this distraction caused a terrorist warning and had f-16's deployed for fear of where this plane was going.

Using laptops while at cruising altitude-sure.

Letting that distract you from your job-Not okay.