TOW #3-Text: iPads on Planes: Be Careful What You Wish For

         In this article, William J. McGee, talks about the potential drawbacks of only allowing certain electronic devices on planes. McGee is a known aviation journalist who is the author of many books such as Attention all Passengers. In today's society, many of us are more and more connected to our electronic devices, and are therefore finding it harder to listen to the flight attendants and turn our devices off. McGee is using this context of the 21st century to show that if there was a slight revocation to the rule, it would be a threat to our health. He starts off this article by asking the reader (directed to all who fly) if they are guilty of using an electronic device for takeoff and landing. The question, "Are you guilty?" immediately grabs the reader's attention and asks them wondering what they are guilty of. McGee goes on to say that although we all know not to use phones during takeoff and landing, 30% of us still do it. This statistic and connection to the audience appeals to the reader’s logos because instead of saying that a lot of us break the rules, McGee uses a statistic, which is more logical than a simple generalization. McGee continues to say that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is still uncertain about the implications of radio-signal transmission on a plane, and therefore it may be too risky to use the devices on them. During takeoff and landing, the most dangerous parts of flying, the FAA has still yet to discover what the effects of certain devices are on the plane. However, the FAA is looking to allow some devices on planes as to please passengers. What McGee finds, however, that once certain devices are allowed, there will be a plethora of problems. One is that once one person is allowed to have their I-Pod on the plane, other passengers who have devices that are prohibited will start to get angry and therefore the plan of pleasing passengers is foiled. Another is that the flight attendants will have a difficult time regulating the usage of some devices versus the use of other devices. McGee substantiates these problems by using rhetorical devices to grasp the reader. Besides the ones already mentioned, McGee uses a lot of quotes and direct examples from flight attendants and FAA officials to make his point. This establishes his ethos as he uses direct information to make his argument established and substantiated with evidence. In my opinion, I think this article does a great job in changing my opinion. Originally I hated the idea of turning off my devices because it meant one less tweet or one less text. However after seeing that the use of electronic devices may actually have an effect on the plane and consequently my life, I now understand that the text is not worth it. In addition I agree with McGee’s point that a partial ban would not be beneficial because if my iphone isn't allowed and someone else’s device is, it makes me upset and almost jealous that I am not allowed while someone else is. Although originally I was unsure what the title of the article meant by being careful what I wished for, I now understand that having devices on planes could be a threat to my safety.