Do you think NBC broke FAA regulations?

[hardcorestitch]

NBC's TODAY show was promoting United's new Starlink service. One of NBC's reporters was talking to the New York studio. Under FAA rules, you're not allowed to talk on the phone or make internet based video calls. However, this live broadcast took place on an internet connected device. Does anyone think this NBC anchor should be fined and otherwise given other sanctions for this?

 

[Marrila]

Do you know whether or not the reporter had been given special authorizations?

 

[hardcorestitch]

That hasn’t been known yet.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

These companies generally dot their i's and cross their t's so I doubt they did anything wrong.

You're trying to make news where there is none.

 

[Brian rhymes with dyin]

wow!

 

[BrianL]

This is a total puff peice and basically advertising for the United Airlines and Starlink.

 

[LuvOrlando]

This would be a ridiculous thing to go after with tax dollars, I'm reasonably certain the rule was created to prevent bad actors from communicating.

 

[tvguy]

NBC's TODAY show was promoting United's new Starlink service. One of NBC's reporters was talking to the New York studio. Under FAA rules, you're not allowed to talk on the phone or make internet based video calls. However, this live broadcast took place on an internet connected device. Does anyone think this NBC anchor should be fined and otherwise given other sanctions for this?

Chartered flight. That law does not apply.

 

[kdonnel]

This would be a ridiculous thing to go after with tax dollars, I'm reasonably certain the rule was created to prevent bad actors from communicating.

I think the rule is left over from the era where voice calls would have been cellular and they were not certain if cellular signals would interfere with the airplane systems.

Like many laws/rules/policies it remains and is now being generically applied to other voice calling features.

I know a lot of travelers that prefer it remain a rule so they don't have to sit next to someone carrying on a phone conversation next to them for 5 hours on the plane.