Tighter Security Means No More JetBlue TV

The latest casualty of the TSA’s updated airline security regulations: JetBlue LiveTV programming, at least on flights that originate outside the US. The TV service—a “distinguishing feature” of the airline, as Vimeo founder Jakob Lodwick points out—has been disabled in the wake of Northwest Flight 253, and along with it the rest of the airline's entertainment. At least one pilot (whom Lodwick recorded) doesn’t sound too happy about it.

“Uh, unfortunately we’re not going to have any live TV today,” says the pilot in Lodwick’s recording. “No movies, no TV, no XM radio, uh, the system is required by the federal government to be shut down! I do apologize for that but that is out of our hands for the moment.” Adds Gawker's Foster Kamer, "This is where I'd lament these regulations not actually being of any foreseeable security value. This is patently ridiculous, and also, sucks." Maybe so, but JetBlue confirms to PC Magazine that all in-flight entertainment will be turned off on flights from foreign countries, because the live TV component can't be uncoupled from the rest. (More JetBlue stories.)