Seen on One of the Newer Jets

The ban on smoking on North American flights started in 1988, when it was first applied to flights in the US that lasted two hours or less. Before then, you could light up once the plane crossed the 10,000-foot altitude. The “no smoking” light stayed permanently on.

Nowadays, the big question on flights within North America is when you can fire up your electronics — laptops, iPads, iPods, Nintendo DSs and what-have-you. That’s why I thought it was interesting when I saw the “turn off electronic devices” indicator on a recent flight; it must’ve been a newer jet.

There are still people who light up during flights, and they get fined for breaking FAA regulations. Not being able to hold out for a few hours is a sign that you need to quit, and despite what Lloyd Bridges’ character on Airplane! says, it’s never the wrong week to quit.