George Takei launches petition to allow in-flight use of electronics

If you get frustrated when flight attendants make you shut down your electronic tablet or digital reading device during takeoff and landing, George Takei has got your back.

The actor who portrayed Sulu in the original “Star Trek” television series and in films is so fed up with having to turn off his gadgets on airplanes that he launched a petition earlier this month on the website Change.org, calling on federal officials to reconsider the policy.

“I suspect I’m not alone in feeling put off,” Takei said in his petition letter.

He’s right. The petition has already collected nearly 17,000 signature.

The Federal Aviation Administration is already talking about lifting the ban on the use of personal electronic devices during takeoffs and landings. In August, the agency announced that it was forming a committee to study when such devices can be used.

One person who signed the petition commented: “This has been a pet peeve of mine. Let’s get this rule changed.”

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Follow Hugo Martin on Twitter at @hugomartin