From: vice@cwis.unomaha.edu (Chad Vice)
Subject: Re: Taking a Game Gear on airplane....
Organization: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 15:40:28 GMT

drdowns@bach.udel.edu  writes:
> In article <93007.150605SJSBH@CUNYVM.BITNET> <SJSBH@CUNYVM.BITNET> writes:
> >    I know there has been discussions on taking a hand held on a plane, but...
> >
> >
> >         What happpens when you go through security?  Does the GG cause an
> >alarm and have to be checked, or does it pass through harmlessly, with no
> >effect on game system and games ?
> >
> >Thanks.....
> >
> >Steve "yes sir, that'll be 5 dozen AA's...for now..."
> >
> 
>   I flew to Cancun Mexico about a year ago and took my GG.  I requested that
>   it not be x-ray (simply because I DIDN'T know of what affect it may have).
>   They just had me turn it on and play a while.  They almost just let it pass
>   through without x-ray or inspection of any kind, because I had it in the 
>   original box and they assumed it was brand new.  
> 
>   I doubt it would have any affect if they x-rayed it, but if you don't get a
>   definite answer, try requesting no x-rays.  It worked at BWI.
> 
>   In response to the other post, if an airline I was paying good money to fly
>   on would not allow my GG, port. TV, etc. I would fly via another airline.

Perhaps I can help out with this.  I'm a pilot, albeit for small single engine
aircraft.  Federal Aviation Regulations specifically forbid certain electronic
instruments which may interfere with radio communications and navigation
systems.

"FAR 91.21 Portable Electronic Devices"

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may
    operate, nor may any operator or pilot in command of an aircraft allow
    the operation of, any portable electronic device on any of the following
    U.S. - registered civil aircraft:
    (1) Aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier operating certificate
	or an operating certificate; or
    (2) Any other aircraft while it operated under IFR [this is just referring
	to any aircraft flown soley by instruments - where accurate readout
	of the instruments is very important.  All airline operate Instrument
	Flight Rules.]
(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does NOT apply to - 
    (1) Portable voice recorders.
    (2) Hearing aids.
    (3) Heart pacemakers.
    (4) Electric shavers; or
*** (5) ANY OTHER PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE that the operator of the aircraft
        has determined will not cause interference with the naviation or
	communication system of the aircraft on which it is to be used.
(c) In the case of an aircraft operating by a holder of an air carrier
    operating certificate or an operating certificate, the determination
    required by (b)(5) of this section shall be made by that operator of the
    aircraft on which the particular device is to be used.  In the case of
    other aircraft, the determination may be made by the pilot in command or
    other operator of the aircraft."

Well I hope this helped somewhat.  In other words, according to the Federal
Aviation Administration, it's bascially left up to the airline at hand to 
choose.  I don't know if I'd 'boycott' an airline for not allowing you to 
carry a Gamegear or Gameboy or Lynx.  I personally would rather the guys in
the front know just where we're going.  ;)

I will say this though....  although I haven't taken any gaming machines
on board, I have taken a CD player with me in a Cessna 152, and in the
cockpit right next to the instruments themselves, I noted no interference
with either the communications or the navigation systems.


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