vB Easy Archive - Flight mode still not allowed

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Flight mode still not allowed
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Posted by: jeffharris

I guess we can't argue if an attendent makes us turn off during flight .... it'll be a wait .....

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) today annouced that they are the first airline to allow the use of some mobile phone functions during flight. The airline will allow passengers to operate phones in so-called flight-safe mode. The feature, also called "airplane mode", is included in some newer mobile phones. The special mode prevents sending or receiving radio signals - thereby protecting flight safety. SAS passengers who have mobile phones equipped with the flight-safe mode can use them as work tools or for entertainment onboard, effective immediately. Other airlines currently prohibit the use of all mobile phones during flight, regardless of mode.

Posted by: etplanet

too bad other airlines doesn't have this

from my entire life, i don't even know if i would be on SAS airline, heh

Posted by: BillB

Personally I have had no problems with being allowed to use my P800 in flight mode while on flights --except during take-off and landing when all electronic devices must be turned off, tray tables must be up, blah, blah, blah.

Could this be the SAS marketing department patting themselves on the back for making an offical policy? Maybe other carriers just let it happen without making a policy, since the flight mode essentially turns the phone into just another electronic device like a Palm or a Game Boy?

By the way, I have used the P800 in flight mode on Lufthansa and Iberia, both European carriers like SAS. Even a few years back, I remember seeing people in Europe using their Nokia communicators during flights (in flight mode, of course).

I am left scratching my head at SAS's statement.

Posted by: butterguy

i just remove flip, and use it....never been asked about anything when the flight attendants came around....i guess i could tell them it's a pda untill they learn what it really is...:P

Posted by: Bengalboy

Yes, I have used mine with no problems after being cleared to "turn back on accepted electronic devices". Never been questioned about it.

Posted by: dakman33

But isn't this whole thing about not using cell phones during flight because it will interupt electronics on a plane pretty much an urban legend? I heard that there is nothing on a plane that can be affected by a cell phone. True or untrue?

Posted by: etplanet

Quote:

Originally posted by dakman33
But isn't this whole thing about not using cell phones during flight because it will interupt electronics on a plane pretty much an urban legend? I heard that there is nothing on a plane that can be affected by a cell phone. True or untrue?

I think it is true, since when the plane lands, there are tons of ppl using a cellphone in the airport/surround area. But probably because of what was taught when we are young or some incident, everyone still think that cell phone causes problem. Maybe it is just a precaution.

Posted by: Jellyguy

Urban legend. Bad science. Ignorant airline execs and lawyers looking to meet monthly billing quotas. Greedy airlines that want to force you to use their in-flight phone system at a cost of $5 per millisecond (of course, those phones don't interfere, they are "special", airplane-friendly phones with "special", airline-friendly prices).

Luckily, so far, they don't know it's a phone. Remove the flip, and they probably never will. I'm sure some memo will be distributed with an attached photo of the P800, and then you'll have to hide it from prying eyes.

Posted by: jeffharris

Well, the thing is twofold -- firstly, the cell carriers don't want their cell hand offs messed up by airborne cellphones -- i.e., if you are equidistant due north of 5 cells, which one takes it? it just messes with the expected horizontal hand off of cells. The airplane thing, is more of a precaution -- they don't want to THINK that that an accident had been caused by intereference from a cellphone.

Posted by: Travelr

There was a whole thread on this last year. It's not urban legend, it's FCC regulation (probably the hand-offs issue Jeff mentioned). During the past year, many airlines have disabled the plane phones (I guess they priced themselves out of the business).

On the science front, the aircraft manufacturers won't certify that cell phones will not interfere with navigation equipment, and most pilots won't consider risking anything that might impact the instruments during a critical flight phase.

I read something about a controversy regarding whether wireless networking will be implementable on flights... At this point, I'd be happy if they accept airplane mode.

Posted by: Pugboy

hey..
one question, where do you guys usually put ur p800?

Posted by: oferlaor

1. Airline phones are using satellite communication, not cellular communication, so it does not interfere not has the same issues as cell phones.

2. The problem with cellphones on flights is that because they cannot reach any cell, they increase their power output which causes a buzz in radio transmissions. With enough cellphones turned on, the pilot will not be able to communicate with the ground control.

3. That said, the airlines are completely overcautious in forcing us to turn off CD players, even GPS devices sometimes...

4. Why would you need the P800 on board? The battery would just run out so you would have a useless phone when you get off the flight...

Posted by: SveNGaLi

thats what flight mode is for. cuts ooff radio and doesnt search for network, thus not interrupting anything and saving battery life.