Phone on, passenger carted off

[Mal]

Phone on, passenger carted off | The Courier-Mail

A 54-YEAR-old man who allegedly refused to turn his mobile phone off during a flight out of Sydney has been charged with endangering an aircraft.
Police say the man boarded a Jetstar flight from Sydney to Queensland's Hervey Bay early today, and then argued with the cabin crew when he refused to switch off his mobile.

...

The man has been charged with an offence against Section 22 of the Crimes Aviation Act, for endangering the safety of an aircraft.

 

[v8Statesman]

Phone on, passenger carted off | The Courier-Mail

I Seem to remember a Mythbusters episode that proved that mobile use on a Aircraft cause no harm. This whole phone off thing is cough IMHO and to have a law that claims it endangers an aircraft is worse. Now charge him with failing to obey orders of the captain. I have no issue with that.

 

[opusman]

Now charge him with failing to obey orders of the captain. I have no issue with that.

I suspect the charge would be because he failed to obey the instructions of the flight crew, not specifically because he wouldn't turn his phone off.

 

[markis10]

I Seem to remember a Mythbusters episode that proved that mobile use on a Aircraft cause no harm. This whole phone off thing is cough IMHO and to have a law that claims it endangers an aircraft is worse. Now charge him with failing to obey orders of the captain. I have no issue with that.

Mythbusters concluded it would cause no harm where the light aircraft had the correct shielding, but it would affect instruments that were not correctly shielded (epsiode 49).

The ATSB has more than 100 incidents involving interference from portable devices, a lot suspected to be mobile phones, so I believe the risk is real, especially when you consider that you might be flying on a 20+ year old aircraft that was designed before the current mobile phone frequencies and powers were designed and put in use. It one thing to do such a test on a light aircraft, but as many of us know, airline equipment tends to have a lot more wiring in it which means a better chance of induction for such mobile signals!

 

[bambbbam2]

My opinion is that there is a risk, albeit a .00001% one.

I just like people turning them off because I like the peace & quiet.

 

[nlagalle]

I Seem to remember a Mythbusters episode that proved that mobile use on a Aircraft cause no harm. This whole phone off thing is cough IMHO and to have a law that claims it endangers an aircraft is worse. Now charge him with failing to obey orders of the captain. I have no issue with that.

There are plenty of cases where phones can/have interfere with aircraft instrumentation and systems. I left my phone on when I was flying one day (light aircraft) by mistake and it went off while I was just rotating and lifting off. The noise in my headset was painful (remember the sound GSM phones make just before and when they ring?). Luckily it was in my flight bag and I could reach behind and switch it off.

So *if* it was proven a phone caused and accident you wouldn't think there would be a problem with having a law allowing people to be charged with endangering an aircraft?

I hope he cops a good fine for it.. send a message to people that you aren't exempt from the rules because you think you are better.

 

[v8Statesman]

I hope he cops a good fine for it.. send a message to people that you aren't exempt from the rules because you think you are better.

I don't think I am above the law. I also understand how Air/Maritime laws work. There is no democracy onboard a ship/AC. Captian way or the highway. I always turn off my phone when instrusted, if not before.

I do however think if a consumer device outputting 500ma or less can bring down a comercial passanger jet. Then I think neglegence on behalf of the builder of the plane would be more my concern.

 

[nlagalle]

I do however think if a consumer device outputting 500ma or less can bring down a comercial passanger jet. Then I think neglegence on behalf of the builder of the plane would be more my concern.

You also need to remember, many aircraft systems were developed before mobile phones can into the mainstream. Here is a PDF from the Flight safety mag CASA produce. Although a few years old, is still quite relevant.

http://www.casa.gov.au/fsa/2001/jul/58.pdf

http://www.casa.gov.au/fsa/2003/sep/33.pdf

And about developments to allow phones to be used in flight:

http://www.casa.gov.au/fsa/2004/oct/44.pdf


personally I hope that they never allow phones to be on for voice during flights. It's bad enough on the train, and really I am sure people can survive an hour or so with their phone off!

 

[NM]

One significant risk of mobile phones in an aircraft is what nlagalle described. Its not too hard to imagine a chain of events leading to a disaster if an ATC radio communication was misunderstood due to GSM phone "gaggle".

 

[NYCguy]

The main point here is that when a crew member asks you to do something, you need to comply. End of story.

 

[tscharke]

i gather the associated risks would be coming more complex with all the new gadgetry now built into phones - GPS, wifi etc

perhaps simple GPRS doesn't really pose an issue but what about all the new freq being utilised?

 

[simongr]

The main point here is that when a crew member asks you to do something, you need to comply. End of story.

Sadly not that simple for so many people!

 

[thegurio]

I really dont want to start another "we dont want some loud idiot on the phone invading our space" but i for one love the fact that i cant get on the phone. It gives me a chance to catch up on those emails!

 

[medhead]

There are plenty of cases where phones can/have interfere with aircraft instrumentation and systems. I left my phone on when I was flying one day (light aircraft) by mistake and it went off while I was just rotating and lifting off. The noise in my headset was painful (remember the sound GSM phones make just before and when they ring?).

Recenly did a charter flight from ADL to YBEE and I had to get back into the luggage to turn off my phone. The pilot basically confirmed that this noise was the biggest problem for him. ANd it was worse once up because the phone is almost constantly transmitting trying to find a cell

 

[Dave Noble]

The main point here is that when a crew member asks you to do something, you need to comply. End of story.

That may apply in USA, however in Australia , the cabin crew are not a law unto themselves and can only require certain things to be done.

Dave

 

[oz_mark]

That may apply in USA, however in Australia , the cabin crew are not a law unto themselves and can only require certain things to be done.

Dave

If there instruction is based on ensuring compliance with the rules and regulations then you do what they say (turn off the phone).

 

[nlagalle]

That may apply in USA, however in Australia , the cabin crew are not a law unto themselves and can only require certain things to be done.

Dave

However the captain is. And you could assume the the cabin crew are following those instructions.

 

[oz_mark]

However the captain is. And you could assume the the cabin crew are following those instructions.

...or the cabin crew escalate to the captain any issues.

 

[Evan]

I was on a CX flight this week they asked whoever had there phone on could the please turn it off, the captin just came on the intercom and asked it so he must have heard it in his radio or some other way realised it was a phone.
E

 

[Dave Noble]

If there instruction is based on ensuring compliance with the rules and regulations then you do what they say (turn off the phone).

That is the case, however I was referring to the comment that stated that there was a requirement to comply with ALL directions, which is not the case

Dave