Ipods/Gameboys on airplane?

[Crazy4mandms]

I checked the TSA website and cannot find anything specific about Ipods/gameboys on flights in US. I have 18 teens practically freaking out that they will be separated from their Ipods/gaming devices for 6 hours while we do the whole airport/flying thing as they have heard differing info. I see that they do allow camcorders/pdas/cell phones/laptops, so I'm assuming ipods would be okay. I have another group meeting soon and would like to be able to give them an answer (not that they wouldn't make the trip if they had to do without these things, I'm sure!!). Thank you!

 

[pearljim]

I used my IPOD on a flight from CT to Orlando and back - 12/28 & 1/6 with no questions asked. I asked security if they needed to have me remove it from my carryon and they said no. I had no problems on either end.

 

[salmoneous]

Good News / Bad News

Good news: For the most part, iPods and Gameboys are allowed (just be sure to remind folks to bring headphones for the Gameboys).

Bad news: All electronic devices have to be turned off from the time the plane starts taxing on the runways, until the plane is about 10,000 feet above the groups. About 15 minutes or so, depending upon the size of the airport. Same thing on the way down. Now I know the rest of us can go 30 minutes without being connected to an electronic device. But assume at least one of those teens will just DIE from separation anxiety. Figure on losing a couple more when they find out they can't use their cellphone the entire time the plane is in the air.

 

[Sammy]

On our trip last year, DD had her iPod in her carry-on (backpack), and security freaked out! They saw "wires" on the Xray, and it took them almost 20 minutes of poking and prodding in the backpack to determine that the iPod was not a bomb. I am not kidding. They even took the iPod out of the backpack and still had to call a supervisor over to make sure. I mean.....how many iPods do you think pass through Security every day....???? Next trip, I am having the kids put all their electronics in one of the bins.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

thanks for the info! I'll remember to have them ready their devices and 'bin' them as we go through security. I for one am glad they can have them since it will help them 'settle in' on the airplane with something to keep them occupied.

 

[OKW Lover]

Don't worry about having them take the devices out of their carry-on. It will just slow down things for everybody.

For the sake of the other passengers, be sure that everybody knows that they have to use headphones, not just on the flight but in the waiting area as well.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Good News / Bad News

Good news: For the most part, iPods and Gameboys are allowed (just be sure to remind folks to bring headphones for the Gameboys).

Bad news: All electronic devices have to be turned off from the time the plane starts taxing on the runways, until the plane is about 10,000 feet above the groups. About 15 minutes or so, depending upon the size of the airport. Same thing on the way down. Now I know the rest of us can go 30 minutes without being connected to an electronic device. But assume at least one of those teens will just DIE from separation anxiety. Figure on losing a couple more when they find out they can't use their cellphone the entire time the plane is in the air.

LMAO

I fly about 40 to 50 times a year and this is dead on. Actually, if the Cell has airplane mode, you can play games on it, but yes this archaic rule still exists. Tell them to read Skymall for the first 15 minutes.

As also stated, leave them in their bags when going through security... ONLY a laptop and shoes need to be pulled out and pulling other stuff causes delays. BUT, once at the gate make sure they pull them out and put them in their pockets so they don't need to go into their bags once boarded or in flight.

 

[yitbos96bb]

On our trip last year, DD had her iPod in her carry-on (backpack), and security freaked out! They saw "wires" on the Xray, and it took them almost 20 minutes of poking and prodding in the backpack to determine that the iPod was not a bomb. I am not kidding. They even took the iPod out of the backpack and still had to call a supervisor over to make sure. I mean.....how many iPods do you think pass through Security every day....???? Next trip, I am having the kids put all their electronics in one of the bins.

You must have had a newbie or an idiot... THere is no need for that as it screws up security and slows everyone down. I fly 40-50 times a year and carry headphones, cell phone, ipod, PMP, Gameboy and PSP as well as my laptop, ethernet cables and a plethora of power cords and never have had them freak out.

Maybe wrap the cables better or something...If you insist on Binning it, then get a large plastic freezer bag and put the equipment in there so you can quickly pull it.

 

[bavaria]

may I also request that anyone using games etc on a plane turn off the external sound feature. It is incredibly annoying to be near someone who is playing a game (or even reviewing photos on their digital camera) and to hear
'beep' every few seconds or so. Some people do this for hours; the sound carries through headsets and can be extremely annoying.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

Don't worry about having them take the devices out of their carry-on. It will just slow down things for everybody.

For the sake of the other passengers, be sure that everybody knows that they have to use headphones, not just on the flight but in the waiting area as well.

Absolutely will require them to keep it quiet. I would probably be the most annoyed as beeps and such annoy the heck out of me!

I'm sure many of them will be wearing their ipods in the airport...can they wear them through security? Or should they definitely have them in their carryons? Sorry so many of what may seem stupid little questions but I haven't flown in 13 years and I have never chaperoned a trip like this before and just want everything to run as smooth as possible. I always like to work out even the littlest details, which I seem to be wanting to do even more with this trip as I do not want my group of teens to annoy anyone else...I want everyone they come in contact with to come away with a positive impression of today's youth (yea, sounds corny, but teens get too much of a bad wrap nowadays!)

 

[dudspizza]

Absolutely will require them to keep it quiet. I would probably be the most annoyed as beeps and such annoy the heck out of me!

I'm sure many of them will be wearing their ipods in the airport...can they wear them through security? Or should they definitely have them in their carryons? Sorry so many of what may seem stupid little questions but I haven't flown in 13 years and I have never chaperoned a trip like this before and just want everything to run as smooth as possible. I always like to work out even the littlest details, which I seem to be wanting to do even more with this trip as I do not want my group of teens to annoy anyone else...I want everyone they come in contact with to come away with a positive impression of today's youth (yea, sounds corny, but teens get too much of a bad wrap nowadays!)

They will have to remove them for security. I place everything in my carryon (wallet, except ID, iPod, cell, etc...) If someone has a laptop, make sure it is removed from it's case and placed in it's own bin... MCO TSA reemed me for putting the laptop and something else in the same bin!

Duds

 

[Jestocost]

I'm sure many of them will be wearing their ipods in the airport...can they wear them through security? Or should they definitely have them in their carryons?

The should be packed in a carry on or placed loose in one of the bins that goes through the x-ray machines. Wearing them almost certainly would set off the metal detectors, which would be...bad.

 

[crashbb]

Don't worry about having them take the devices out of their carry-on. It will just slow down things for everybody.

For the sake of the other passengers, be sure that everybody knows that they have to use headphones, not just on the flight but in the waiting area as well.

And try to ensure that they aren't idiots like me! On my last flight (2-Jan) I was watching a movie on my computer with my earphones. At least I thought I was. After a few minutes, my neighbour tapped me and asked me to please use headphones. I was very confused, until I realised that my headphones were plugged into the wrong jack, so the sound was still coming out through the speakers I profusely apologised and moven the cord - but felt really guilty. At least it was only a minute or so and not very loud (I was wondering why I could barely hear it and was about to turn it up).

 

[PatsGirl]

Never leave home without them....

 

[Crazy4mandms]

Thanks everyone! I knew everyone here on the DIS would be very helpful!

 

[yitbos96bb]

may I also request that anyone using games etc on a plane turn off the external sound feature. It is incredibly annoying to be near someone who is playing a game (or even reviewing photos on their digital camera) and to hear
'beep' every few seconds or so. Some people do this for hours; the sound carries through headsets and can be extremely annoying.

Not sure if you were aware, but more airlines ban any kind of external sound like this. If someone has there's on and it is bothering you , please tell the flight attendant and they will take care of it.

Also, noise cancelling headphones help as well... My favs are the Bose quiet comfort ones although they are pricey... about $300.

 

[yitbos96bb]

They will have to remove them for security. I place everything in my carryon (wallet, except ID, iPod, cell, etc...) If someone has a laptop, make sure it is removed from it's case and placed in it's own bin... MCO TSA reemed me for putting the laptop and something else in the same bin!

Duds

Yea TSA got really anal about that after the british liquids thing... before it wasn't that big of a deal. TSA checkers at the airport are contractors, not feds and are not usually the ... best of the best. Sometime's they can be a bit jerky.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Absolutely will require them to keep it quiet. I would probably be the most annoyed as beeps and such annoy the heck out of me!

I'm sure many of them will be wearing their ipods in the airport...can they wear them through security? Or should they definitely have them in their carryons? Sorry so many of what may seem stupid little questions but I haven't flown in 13 years and I have never chaperoned a trip like this before and just want everything to run as smooth as possible. I always like to work out even the littlest details, which I seem to be wanting to do even more with this trip as I do not want my group of teens to annoy anyone else...I want everyone they come in contact with to come away with a positive impression of today's youth (yea, sounds corny, but teens get too much of a bad wrap nowadays!)

To ask the obvious unasked question... what kind of trip are you going on with 18 teens?

 

[bavaria]

Not sure if you were aware, but more airlines ban any kind of external sound like this. If someone has there's on and it is bothering you , please tell the flight attendant and they will take care of it.

Also, noise cancelling headphones help as well... My favs are the Bose quiet comfort ones although they are pricey... about $300.

FAs are often reluctant to take action or cause a potential disturbance. I've racked up many many miles over the years and often the FAs include me in their chit chat. While they are just as irritated with the travellers who put their bare feet on bulkheads (or other seats), snif incessantly, or beep non stop, they won't always take action on 'minor' offenses and risk conflict in the air.

While noise cancelling headsets are decent at keeping out noise, they do not block all noise. Electronic noise still manages to seep through. And I don't believe in having to change my behaviour to suit someone else's selfish behaviour.

Believe me, I have no problem drawing an FA's attention to bad behaviour which negatively impacts others.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

To ask the obvious unasked question... what kind of trip are you going on with 18 teens?

I am taking some of my 7th and 8th graders on a Disney Youth Education Series Field trip (www.disneyyes.com). Disney offers educational programs to youth groups. We are doing programs in chemistry, ocean science and production arts/media sciences. We also will be doing all the educational 'stuff' that EPCOT has to offer. Disney really gives a great deal for youth groups! It isn't so much an 'official' class trip (we are going over the summer), just something I decided to offer as the kids hear me talk about WDW so much and my room is 'Dissed out'..plus it puts a nice spin on the trip for me, doing these programs that I otherwise wouldn't be able to take advantage of on a regular vacation. Although these kids are truly awesome and have excellent manners and behavior, I am REALLY nervous about taking them! I will have 2 other parent chaperones, but I do want to make sure that everything runs smoothly and the kids have some great memories to talk about for a lifetime.