Electronic Devices Dilema

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flyer4703

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What do you do if the person next to you continues to use an electronic device during take off or landing?
Do you sit silently and hope it doesn't interfere with aircraft systems, ask them would they mind turning it off or call a FA?
Asking them to turn it off if isn't so bad if you are coming into land, but could be awkward on take off if you have to spend the next 90 minutes beside them.
I had this situation this morning and chose to sit silently, however if it was you that was on the Bne - Syd flight today and you used your Blackberry for the whole flight I think it was selfish in the extreme to have put other passengers at risk regardless of the small possibility of it causing a problem.
There is obviously some risk with the use of electronic devices or we wouldn't be given warnings.
That's the end of my rant....I feel better now.
 
People will only act like pratts if others let them get away with it.

Gazza
 
I must admit that I usually ask my seat neighbour to desist if whatever they are doing is clearly against the airline's stated safety rules. Not always appreciated (and invariably ignored) though.

On a recent SQ flight from SIN to SYD, I mentioned to the male person sitting next to me (in seat 17K - an exit row - on a 747) that SQ rules required him to keep his shoes on during takeoff, and his response was quite negative. Just as well he wasn't required to help the crew in an emergency.

So there you go...
 
I'm not really a confrontational type, unless really worked up over something, so I probably wouldn't do much except mentally wish them unwell things :D

I have sat next to a workmate (friend) who chose to take photos using his camera from takeoff until we were well up in the air... I did mention it to him, but he shrugged it off as something that would never cause issues.
 
flyer4703 said:
What do you do if the person next to you continues to use an electronic device during take off or landing?
Do you sit silently and hope it doesn't interfere with aircraft systems, ask them would they mind turning it off or call a FA?
Asking them to turn it off if isn't so bad if you are coming into land, but could be awkward on take off if you have to spend the next 90 minutes beside them.
I had this situation this morning and chose to sit silently, however if it was you that was on the Bne - Syd flight today and you used your Blackberry for the whole flight I think it was selfish in the extreme to have put other passengers at risk regardless of the small possibility of it causing a problem.
There is obviously some risk with the use of electronic devices or we wouldn't be given warnings.
That's the end of my rant....I feel better now.

It is possible the device was being used in "flight mode" which is permitted.

Meloz
 
meloz said:
It is possible the device was being used in "flight mode" which is permitted.

Meloz
Whether it's in "Flight Mode" or not is moot; it's supposed to be turned off for takeoff and landing!
 
serfty said:
Whether it's in "Flight Mode" or not is moot; it's supposed to be turned off for takeoff and landing!
Indeed it is!

I have an i-mate JAMin which is a Pocket PC/Phone, and switch it to flight mode when requested (which is before boarding DJ flights and usually during taxying on QF flights).

On my device, switching to flight mode turns off the radio (phone), the wireless LAN, the Bluetooth and the infra-red functions. There is nothing left to transmit or receive so it should not cause a problem when in flight mode, but I follow the rules nonetheless.
 
Call the FA over and ask about a totally unrelated matter. Then hopefully the FA notices the elec device next door.
 
Yada Yada said:
Indeed it is!

I have an i-mate JAMin which is a Pocket PC/Phone, and switch it to flight mode when requested (which is before boarding DJ flights and usually during taxying on QF flights).

On my device, switching to flight mode turns off the radio (phone), the wireless LAN, the Bluetooth and the infra-red functions. There is nothing left to transmit or receive so it should not cause a problem when in flight mode, but I follow the rules nonetheless.

All electronic devices have the potential to transmit RF even with their radio turned off, which is why all electronic devices such as IPOds etc should be off even though they dont contain radio receivers. Your sitting on 7km's of wiring, some of which are fly by wire controls although the most common interference appears to be to the VOR or "omni" radio navigation systems. Interesting read here: Electromagnetic interference with aircraft systems
 
I have sat next to a workmate (friend) who chose to take photos using his camera from takeoff until we were well up in the air... I did mention it to him, but he shrugged it off as something that would never cause issues.

Oops - so you're telling me it's a no-no to using a (compact) digital to take piccies at take-off and landing?

As an ex-photographer, I take HEAPS of them - never been told off, but being a polite person, I would do so without question if asked (by FA or fellow passenger).

Interestingly enough, I was thinking about this very same issue last week when I flew back from Syd.I was seated in the exit row next to a fella who, despite several requests from the FAs, continued sending texts from his mobile. He simply turned it off when asked, and after the Captain had asked cabin crew to be seated for take-off, he turned it back on again! As if that wasn't enough, he had his iPod blaring the whole time!

(And no, given he was about four times as big as me and one grumpy looking dude, I didn't make any comment...).

NF
 
what my goal is when i fly is my safety and getting off the flight safely. i am the one who loses if i am not safe.

given that is my goal i would choose to act on keeping myself safe by asking the flight attendant to do address the person. i think that the FA's are the appropriate person to do this as they have legitimate authority and i don't.

when asking the flight attendant i would be clear in stating exactly what i observed and also clear in stating that i might be missing some perfectly good evidence/reason as to why the person is using the device. i would also ask the FA to 'inquire' with the passenger rather than 'order' or 'tell' the passenger ...

i would also let the passenger know that this is what i am choosing to do and that i am choosing this cause i am concerned for my safety and that i am responsible to myself for keeping myself safe. in keeping myself safe i will control what i can and addressing your choice to use your device when you may not be permitted too is one way i can increase my likelihood of staying safe.
 
newflyer said:
Oops - so you're telling me it's a no-no to using a (compact) digital to take piccies at take-off and landing?

My understanding is that digital cameras are not allowed to be used during takeoff etc.

It may sound weird, but it is for good reasons. Some devices have been known to malfunction and cause interference even though they are not designed to cause interference.

From the Qantas website (Flying with Us - In the Air - Communication)

"Electronic Equipment

All electronic devices, including PDAs, laptop computers, handheld games and toys must be switched off during take-off and landing.

Portable electronic equipment such as laptop computers (including WiFi and Bluetooth enabled devices), PDAs (without mobile phones), personal music (for example, iPods) and electronic game devices may be used when the aircraft seat belt sign is extinguished after take-off and until the top of descent.
"

If you really want to check the Qantas view then I suggest emailing them through their feedback link. My understanding is that a digital camera is a form of electronic equipment and banned as part of their rules (just like Ipods for example, or PDA's even without radio transmitters).

Markis10's post above discusses this as well.
 
Mal said:
My understanding is that digital cameras are not allowed to be used during takeoff etc.
That is correct. AA's FAs will often state something like "if it has an off switch then it must be switched off at this time" and they will often say "and that include noise-cancelling headphones".
 
I have noted on another thread here where I was seated next to a pax who was blatently using his blackberry to send and recieve email in front of the FA whilst we taxied to the runway and she said nothing. We were in first class. In this case it would have been pointless to request him to stop or infrom the FA's
 
Reggie said:
I have noted on another thread here where I was seated next to a pax who was blatently using his blackberry to send and recieve email in front of the FA whilst we taxied to the runway and she said nothing.

It's amazing what F class pax can get away with sometimes... There does seem to be some flexibility with the rules when in that cabin. (BTW, I think a person on a 747 using their mobile when in F is more likely to cause interferance as they're below/near the coughpit/sensitive electronic gear)
 
Last edited:
NM said:
"and that include noise-cancelling headphones".

If the pilots themselves use them on takeoff and landing, why would anyone find them unsafe. Would seem a strange uninformed request from a FA.
 
browski said:
If the pilots themselves use them on takeoff and landing, why would anyone find them unsafe. Would seem a strange uninformed request from a FA.

The problem isn't that noise cancelling headphones (or any other electronic device) is unsafe normally. Some devices actively cause intereferance by transmitting radio waves or electromagnetic fields. These are known about (eg phones etc). There is a second class of devices which although not designed to transmit interferance still can in extreme circumstances due to malfunction. This is why the blanket ban applies.

Another issue is that FA's don't know every device on the planet and what it's capabilities are. Is a PDA just a PDA, or does it have Bluetooth/GSM capability? Are the headphones corded, or do they also have a detachable cord and can wirelessly receive sound? Is that toy just a toy that says "Hello" or is it the latest in the Furby type range of toys that "socialise" with other toys nearby.

Headphones also pose another problem. If you are using your own music (such as IPOD) are you able to hear instructions from the cabin crew/pilot/etc?
 
browski said:
If the pilots themselves use them on takeoff and landing, why would anyone find them unsafe. Would seem a strange uninformed request from a FA.
Things used in the coughpit have been tested and certified for use there. Things carried on by passengers have not been through siuch testing. So it is a case of the airline making a "no exception" rule, and I personally believe that is the correct way to do it. Once they make an exception for one type of device, they are on a very slipery slope to making exceptions for all sorts of things. And that leads to confusion and misunderstanding as to what is allowed and what is not allowed.

I fully support the ruling that no electronic devices should be operated by passengers during takeoff and landing - no exceptions. And yes, I am very confident that noise cancelling headphones will not cause any interference. But the line has to be drawn somewhere and its much easier to understand and enforce when the line is one extreme end of teh spectrum.
 
Reggie said:
I have noted on another thread here where I was seated next to a pax who was blatently using his blackberry to send and recieve email in front of the FA whilst we taxied to the runway and she said nothing. We were in first class. In this case it would have been pointless to request him to stop or infrom the FA's
Was this on QF? You are allowed to use your mobile phone during taxying.
 
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