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It is understandable that Parker forgot to turn off his cellphone. After all, Parker was likely often waiting for American Airlines CEO Tom Horton to return his calls when Parker was pressuring Horton about a then-potential merger. Parker wouldn't have wanted to miss that call.
As the FAA edges closer to allowing use of some electronic devices throughout flights, US Airways CEO Doug Parker admitted today that he sometimes forgets to shut off his cellphone.
Appearing on CNBC’s Squawk Box program, Parker said “sometimes I forgot to turn it [his cellphone] off.”
“Flight attendants had to remind me at times,” Parker conceded.
He said the FAA is taking another look at the use of electronic devices during landings and takeoffs. “And, it’s my understanding that it’s being re-looked.”
Unfortunately for Parker, the FAA’s “re-look” at the issue will not address the issue of cellphone calls during flights, although the FAA is mulling the use of tablets, laptops and other electronic devices during takeoffs and landings.
Here’s a link to the CNBC video of the discussion with Parker. The discussion about cellphone use on flights begins around 11:15 minutes into the video.
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Tags: doug parker, smartphones, us airways