a few observations and comments:
1) The claim that devices can only be used in "airplane mode" during the flight is in direct conflict with the fact that you are some how allowed to use your wireless connection to connect to the onboard wi-fi. hmmmmmmmmm, so you are to stay in "airplane mode" unless the airline can charge you a fee? then it's somehow safe.
2) A stewardess told me the "rules" regarding turning off cell phones and ipods or other music devices during take off and landing was primarily to ensure that no one was distracted (ie telephone call or ear buds) and could hear the take off and landing instructions. It is purely legal CYA just in case there is an emergency which results in passenger injury, hence if a passenger was unable to hear the directions due to either a loud chatty phone call or ear buds they could claim the airline was legally liable because they didn't clearly communicate the emergency procedures
3) Myth Buster had an episode where they attempted to simulate something like 200 cell phones and their impact on the flight instruments. zip, nada, zero impact. They even amplified the signal and IIRC even at significantly elevated levels beyond what you would experience on any flight there was zero impact on the flight instruments
As a business traveler who flies 100 flights a year I think this Senator is finally coming to our (my) rescue. There is no impact using an iPad or e-reader to read the WSJ during take off or landing, and I've kept my cell phone, iPad and computer on the entire time during 400 flights in the past 4 years
. and I'm sure my fellow business travelers do the same.
Finally, if these devices were in any way a serious concern in terms of their impact on flight computers, they would force you lock them away in your luggage and NEVER take them out during flight. I mean how could they take the risk of a plane crash if some dummy kept his cell phone, iPad and computer on during the entire flight