"...Radio Transmitters must not be used at any time..."

[BD1959]

A simple question: when is a radio transmitter not a radio transmitter.

Maybe I've not been paying attention previously, but I glanced across the cabin on this morning's flight, admiring the occupants Bose Wireless Headphones and then noticed the wireless mouse he was using with the laptop - all during cruise, though I noticed he continued to wear the headphones.

Service and clear-up was performed around him, so obviously the crew were either OK with these devices or not really paying attention (depending on their permitted/prohibited use).

Now, I'm a little tech-ignorant with these things, but I'd have thought that both devices depended upon some sort of radio technology ... is bluetooth a protocol for a radio transmitter?

Hence my question: when is a radio transmitter not a radio transmitter ... are these devices permitted - I liked the look of those headphones!!

Regards,

BD

 

[Joshua]

By the book, you are correct.

There is a reason you don't see (m)any wireless noise cancelling headphones.

In reality BT radios are very low powered, hence the cough range.

 

[serfty]

Not a blanket ban any longer

Qantas began permitting Bluetooth well over a year ago. I don't believe I have heard the specific "Radio Transmitters must not be used at any time" in on a Qantas flight in a long time. (I may have heard "'transmitting devices such as mobile 'phones and walkies-talkies ..." but can't be certain.)

See this from their web site: Inflight Communications | Qantas

Electronic Equipment

All electronic devices, including PDAs, laptop computers, handheld games, iPads, Ebooks 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) iPads, Ebooks and electronic game devices may be used when the aircraft seat belt sign is extinguished after take-off and can now be used until we prepare the cabin for landing.

Radio transmission using personal communication devices (including walkie-talkies, two-way pagers, or global positioning systems) is prohibited at all stages of flight, as it may interfere with the aircraft's communication and navigation systems.

 

[BD1959]

Re: Not a blanket ban any longer

Thanks Serfty - that makes it crystal clear.

I'll pay more attention to that pre-flight announcement on tomorrow's return trip!!

Regards,

BD

 

[Archphoto]

Re: Not a blanket ban any longer

I actually thought about AFF when I was flying CX HKG-BKK in the last couple of days, for this exact reason! I remember hearing them specifically comment on bluetooth and wireless being turned "off" during the flight. It caught my ears, because I was looking at some Dr Beats headphones in the Duty Free catalogue, and thought "why bother if I can't use them?!"

It was rather strange - as they were being advertised as noise cancelling so well that the engine noise was almost non-existant.

A slip of the tongue by the FA perhaps or do CX really not like bluetooth being used whilst in the air?

 

[yohy?!]

Re: Not a blanket ban any longer

Bluetooth is still specifically called out in the CX Safety Demo as being unusable at any time.