Eskimo Ipads at Alaska Air
 

Anyone know if AS has the Ipads up and running yet?

Not yet. Soon, though.

I've heard the FAA doesn't like certain devices because of battery life issues. Is the Ipad good with this?

FAA approves iPad for Executive Jet
 

FAA: iPad Can Replace Charts For Executive Jet


Executive Jet has earned official authorization from the FAA to use the Jeppesen Mobile TC App for iPad as a sole reference for electronic charts and as a direct replacement of paper aeronautical charts in the cockpit. Executive Jet managed that after three months of in-flight evaluation that included more than 250 flight segments and one rapid-decompression test initiated at 51,000 feet. That testing involved 55 pilots, and Jeppesen says it was provided with feedback that it incorporated into an update for the app, released last month. For now, the FAA's approval for the Jeppesen app on the iPad is for Executive Jet, and only Executive Jet. Jeppesen hopes that's just the beginning and, according to Jeppesen, many carriers may feel the same way.

Jeppesen's Jeff Buhl told KWGN-TV that "airlines around the world are investigating the iPad right now" and "this is one of the first major approvals." Buhl believes Executive Jet has paved the way for other operators to follow. The authorization earned by Executive Jet can replace up to 50 pounds of paperwork, according to Buhl. Still, some question the prudence of eliminating paper charts as a backup in the cockpit. For that, Executive Jet offers redundancy -- each cockpit carries two pilots and two iPads.

I'm betting that the delay has everything to do with the iPad 2. Apple keeps pushing it back. Right now the press release is set for March 2. Once the iPad 2 comes out all the out dated iPad 1's will be boxed and shipped to Alaska.

Our Ipads have already been purchased and programmed by the vendor. The delay right now has to do with the company trying to get approval to use them below 10,000 feet. Apparently the FAA has additional requirements up to and including doing a rapid decompression with them before they will sign off. At least that's the rumor that I heard.

How exactly did apple "push it back"? The original Ipad has been on the market less than a year.

I was under the impression that the iPad 2 was set for a January launch. After some research, I guess I was mistaken. March 2 seems to be the day.
My mistake.

No worries. Just thought I might of missed something. I think it's pretty much speculation what's going to happen Mar 2 too. Just an "announcement" of some type......

The Union is re writing the latest FOM bulletin regarding the iPads with the company. Trust me that's a good thing based on how I interpreted that bulletin.