I hope they didn't pay for this study...

[serfty]

Of course, just to confuse the issue, Qantas permit the use of most electronic cameras throughout the flight pm most Aircraft these days.

 

[anat0l]

And yes, this is an ultra-conservative approach. And yes I am very much aware that many airlines have a more relaxed ruling than I have suggested here. If all passengers turn off all their electronic devices during take-off and landing, then there is zero chance that a passenger's electronic device will cause a problem. Any other situation poses some risk level higher than zero.

Of course, just to confuse the issue, Qantas permit the use of most electronic cameras throughout the flight pm most Aircraft these days.

Let's not even entertain some other equipment such as battery powered watches (which in some cases can be just as powerful as some basic mobiles), battery powered calculators and pacemakers...although the latter is not likely to cause any interference unless you were The Incredible Hulk. (I'd be more scared as the person with the pacemaker to ensure no interference on its operation.)

 

[NM]

Let's not even entertain some other equipment such as battery powered watches (which in some cases can be just as powerful as some basic mobiles), battery powered calculators and pacemakers...although the latter is not likely to cause any interference unless you were The Incredible Hulk. (I'd be more scared as the person with the pacemaker to ensure no interference on its operation.)

If it has an on/off switch, then turn it off - unless its a pace-marker, artificial heart or ventilator

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Let's not even entertain some other equipment such as battery powered watches (which in some cases can be just as powerful as some basic mobiles), battery powered calculators and pacemakers...although the latter is not likely to cause any interference unless you were The Incredible Hulk. (I'd be more scared as the person with the pacemaker to ensure no interference on its operation.)

I spoke to a man once who had a pacemaker & he said if someone was sitting next to him to his left (ie same side as his ticker) & was using an IPOD it would interfere with his pacemaker & it wouldn't work.

So if you do happen to have one of these make sure you have eg in a B767 either a "D" seat or a "J" seat where the aisle seat is immediately to your left. Failing that maybe a spare seat if the plane is not full & you explain your predicament on check-in.

 

[Australian]

Let's not even entertain some other equipment such as battery powered watches (which in some cases can be just as powerful as some basic mobiles), battery powered calculators and pacemakers...although the latter is not likely to cause any interference unless you were The Incredible Hulk. (I'd be more scared as the person with the pacemaker to ensure no interference on its operation.)

hmm well if u do look at the back of that little safety thing, it does have that complex little table with what can be used when lifting off/touching down, what can/cant be used while in cruise, what can/can't be used EVER, etc etc ...

 

[Australian]

ps - although perhaps a bit off topic - what does drive me nuts are those ppl who jump out of their seats/seatbelts immediately upon touchdown, before the signals indcate to do so ... shesh - i seriously remember one FA announcement a few years back along the lines of "Thank you to those who didn't ingore the request to remain seated with seatbelts restrained until indicated - your respect for the safety rules designed to protect you and others in this aircraft is appreciated" ... with a hint of "grrr!" -- lol ... jaw dropped that they were so forward, but i dont blame them ... a stack of ppl jumped up right away ... i've noticed it seems to be less common these days though (ie, "more" ppl do wait)

 

[froggerADL]

OK, I'm convinced. I shall now ignore all requests to turn off my electronic equipment as airlines are clearly fools and just doing this to annoy their paying customers.

It is really important that I am able to use said equipment 24/7.

If I have been misled by the experts on this thread and my behaviour inadvertantly results in your death, I would like to apologise in advance.

 

[k_sheep]

I spoke to a man once who had a pacemaker & he said if someone was sitting next to him to his left (ie same side as his ticker) & was using an IPOD it would interfere with his pacemaker & it wouldn't work.

So if you do happen to have one of these make sure you have eg in a B767 either a "D" seat or a "J" seat where the aisle seat is immediately to your left. Failing that maybe a spare seat if the plane is not full & you explain your predicament on check-in.

Having seen plenty of people with pacemakers in hospital with ipods firmly attached to their visitors and their own ears, I'm inclined to think he may have been telling porkies

 

[pshepvic]

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I've had a couple of FA's (both from QF and DJ) explain the real reasons behind the "bans" on electronic devices at certain times. And these are fairly logical reasons as well.

Take off and landing are the two most likely times during a flight for something to go wrong. That's why the seats and tray tables have to be up - so people can get out quickly in an evacuation. It's also why they don't want people plugged into iPods, distracted by phones, laptops, games etc. They want to be able to issue instructions etc - if someone has an iPod at full volume they're not going to hear the crew shouting "brace" at the last second - and sometimes there might not be time to give a full warning.

It has nothing to do with signals interfering with electronics. There are probably dozens of laptops on "standby" in the lockers - hard drives still whirring away and electronics running - all going on during takeoff and landing. There are also times when I've forgotten to switch off one of my phones and a message or call has come through to it while stored away. Happens all the time.

And the reason they don't want you using phones during flight? Because it's cough*ing annoying to other passengers who are crammed in there with you. It's not a signal interference problem - Qantas trialed in flight use of phones for SMS a few years ago on the 767s - and clearly no Qantas 767 has gone down due to "electronic interference". No, they just didn't bring in a widespread policy because the use of phones annoys people.

 

[nlagalle]

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I've had a couple of FA's (both from QF and DJ) explain the real reasons behind the "bans" on electronic devices at certain times. And these are fairly logical reasons as well.

Take off and landing are the two most likely times during a flight for something to go wrong. That's why the seats and tray tables have to be up - so people can get out quickly in an evacuation. It's also why they don't want people plugged into iPods, distracted by phones, laptops, games etc. They want to be able to issue instructions etc - if someone has an iPod at full volume they're not going to hear the crew shouting "brace" at the last second - and sometimes there might not be time to give a full warning.

It has nothing to do with signals interfering with electronics. There are probably dozens of laptops on "standby" in the lockers - hard drives still whirring away and electronics running - all going on during takeoff and landing. There are also times when I've forgotten to switch off one of my phones and a message or call has come through to it while stored away. Happens all the time.

And the reason they don't want you using phones during flight? Because it's cough*ing annoying to other passengers who are crammed in there with you. It's not a signal interference problem - Qantas trialed in flight use of phones for SMS a few years ago on the 767s - and clearly no Qantas 767 has gone down due to "electronic interference". No, they just didn't bring in a widespread policy because the use of phones annoys people.

You are correct with the banning of electronic devices for take off and landing.

And phones - well that is still debatable on the effect of radio transmitters. Remember that the 767 that was trialled was installed with a transmitter for the phones.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

You are correct with the banning of electronic devices for take off and landing.

And phones - well that is still debatable on the effect of radio transmitters. Remember that the 767 that was trialled was installed with a transmitter for the phones.

If attention was required during takeoffl/landing there wouldn't be any gate to gate entertainment...

Electronic ban for takeoff and landing is probably more so there is consistancy accross flying different aircraft in countries around the world. If they removed electronics ban then it opens up other issues they'd rather not have to deal with. So a blanket ban makes life easier for FA's and airlines.

 

[oz_mark]

If attention was required during takeoffl/landing there wouldn't be any gate to gate entertainment...

If you're plugged into the IFE, then you are also pluuged into the PA system - something that is not the case when plugged into your own device.

 

[nlagalle]

If attention was required during takeoffl/landing there wouldn't be any gate to gate entertainment...

Electronic ban for takeoff and landing is probably more so there is consistancy accross flying different aircraft in countries around the world. If they removed electronics ban then it opens up other issues they'd rather not have to deal with. So a blanket ban makes life easier for FA's and airlines.

As pointed out they can easily stop IFE and have your attention.

 

[pshepvic]

If attention was required during takeoffl/landing there wouldn't be any gate to gate entertainment...

Electronic ban for takeoff and landing is probably more so there is consistancy accross flying different aircraft in countries around the world. If they removed electronics ban then it opens up other issues they'd rather not have to deal with. So a blanket ban makes life easier for FA's and airlines.

Not quite - the IFE can be overridden in an emergency. Any announcement over the PA by the crew will stop whatever you're listening to/watching.

I was on an A332 with the newly fitted IFE in Qantas domestic the other day, and every announcement nearly ruptured my eardrums - that's enough incentive NOT to utilise the gate-to-gate entertainment anyway...

Whereas if you're watching or listening to something on an iPhone, iPod, iPad, MP3 etc, they can't be sure you'll hear them.

Interestingly, I flew WestJet in Canada a couple of years ago, and you weren't even allowed to have headphones on for take off or landing, even for the IFE.

 

[JohnK]

I have occasionally forgotten to turn a mobile phone off but never intentionally.

I am totally confused.

Are some people so addicted to electronic devices that they must have access to them at all times? It cannot hurt to turn them off for take-off and landing. Surely.

 

[pshepvic]

I have occasionally forgotten to turn a mobile phone off but never intentionally.

I am totally confused.

Are some people so addicted to electronic devices that they must have access to them at all times? It cannot hurt to turn them off for take-off and landing. Surely.

I think we're all ok with that, but that's not quite the "issue" we're discussing. When they say to switch everything off due to "interference with navigation systems", our "issue" with that is in reality an iPod won't interfere with anything. They just don't want you unable to hear crew instructions in an emergency. I'm fine with that, but why don't they just say that!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I think we're all ok with that, but that's not quite the "issue" we're discussing. When they say to switch everything off due to "interference with navigation systems", our "issue" with that is in reality an iPod won't interfere with anything. They just don't want you unable to hear crew instructions in an emergency. I'm fine with that, but why don't they just say that!

I was on a BI flight BWN to RGN back in 1996 and their inflight announcement said something like "please do not use electronic devices or it might change the plane".

Crikey!

 

[m_ratt]

Interestingly, I flew WestJet in Canada a couple of years ago, and you weren't even allowed to have headphones on for take off or landing, even for the IFE.

Likewise on BA currently, though on the A319 there was no IFE.