Has anyone ever used a PDA in flight, and if so, what are your experiences ?
I know that there's a new PDA/phone that was featured in the Qantas in-flight mag (Sony Ericsson T-330 ?) last month, with an 'in-flight mode'. This means that you can use the other features of the device, whilst having the mobile phone part switched off.
Some FAs don't understand them and a friend's was recently scrutinised on an Emirates flight as to whether his would interfere with the plane's systems. (and a few electronic engineers disagree on this, as some kind of conspiracy to make us use the $10 US a minute airphones.)
Now, I am not that technologically blessed, so please forgive any mistakes - I was wondering as to what the full story is here, because in the USA, it seems that they're allowed under current FAA regulations, as long as they are a wireless device and not using a cellphone signal.
As far as I understand, when they're in range of a transmitter, they'll pick up the signal and then they can connect, but if you go using your cellphone to connect to the net, that's a no-no. Obviously.
I know that there's a new PDA/phone that was featured in the Qantas in-flight mag (Sony Ericsson T-330 ?) last month, with an 'in-flight mode'. This means that you can use the other features of the device, whilst having the mobile phone part switched off.
Some FAs don't understand them and a friend's was recently scrutinised on an Emirates flight as to whether his would interfere with the plane's systems. (and a few electronic engineers disagree on this, as some kind of conspiracy to make us use the $10 US a minute airphones.)
Now, I am not that technologically blessed, so please forgive any mistakes - I was wondering as to what the full story is here, because in the USA, it seems that they're allowed under current FAA regulations, as long as they are a wireless device and not using a cellphone signal.
As far as I understand, when they're in range of a transmitter, they'll pick up the signal and then they can connect, but if you go using your cellphone to connect to the net, that's a no-no. Obviously.