Why the issue is not just phones and tablets and weare talking to general public.
The safety issue is the LITHIUM ION BATTERY found in many devices.
How many drones are flying around as checked baggage this Christmas or power tools? Then there is this Power Bank 10,000mA I have, need it to watch the movie on my phone and put it on my seat out of the way. It's safe its not a phone or tablet, nor is a ipad mini.
I just think they are being narrow minded and that actually many of the "accidents" have been LITHIUM ION BATTERYS in devices other than phone/tablets.