In-flight transmitting - Wi-Fi / Bluetooth

On VS004 last Thursday, a FA asked a pax to stop using his PDA as it was emitting Bluetooth (she'd spotted a flashing LED).

Has anyone else been caught out by this, and would wireless networking cause similar issues? Do / should FAs check to see we've disabled outr wireless network cards?

Of course I know all the risks, but I am a "rules" kinda guy...

I saw this conversation in the TR forum, and have done a little research.

There is a JAA document on the CAA website here that indicates in section 2.3.3 that bluetooth and WLAN are acceptable for use in "non critical phases of flight" - eg in cruise.

Seems like VS were wrong on this one.

Given that most business pax use laptops with built in networking, and pda's are essentially small pc's these days - it would be mad to allow one and not the other.

Perhaps some cabin crew can comment on this one?

Rich.

There is difference between what is allowed, on the basis of policy, and what is a health and safety issue, or risk.
For example, don't tell anyone, but mobile phones are completely safe to use in hospitals.. but it would be so annoying having a ward full of patients/relatives on their phones, so the restriction continues...
[Just don't tell anyone... ]
I would guess that electronics in aircraft is an evolving field, and as evidence comes through, airlines will gradually change their policies..

[Decker]

Originally posted by McCoy
There is difference between what is allowed, on the basis of policy, and what is a health and safety issue, or risk.
For example, don't tell anyone, but mobile phones are completely safe to use in hospitals.. but it would be so annoying having a ward full of patients/relatives on their phones, so the restriction continues...
[Just don't tell anyone... ]
I would guess that electronics in aircraft is an evolving field, and as evidence comes through, airlines will gradually change their policies..

Thought it was only heart wards?

Originally posted by Decker
Thought it was only heart wards?

If you use your mobile right next to a heart monitor, it might make that buzzing noise you get when your phone is near a speaker, but it still works!!

However, I don't recommend you testing the theory, as you are very likely to get a good smacking from the ward Sister!

[Decker]

Don't listen to the bods in ClinEng at Charing X - they're misleading [:I]

I did have the misfortune to end up at the Charing X at Christmas wired up to machines that went beep and watching a succession of motorcyclists come in with broken legs. Doctors using their own mobile phones were much in evidence throughout...

BC

Originally posted by McCoy


However, I don't recommend you testing the theory, as you are very likely to get a good smacking from the ward Sister!

Nice! Must take my mobile to hospital one of these days.[:p]

Originally posted by BlackCat
I did have the misfortune to end up at the Charing X at Christmas wired up to machines that went beep and watching a succession of motorcyclists come in with broken legs. Doctors using their own mobile phones were much in evidence throughout...

BC

Sssshhh! Don't tell everyone! If you end up in such a position of being a hospital punter, just keep your phone on silent, and do your texting under the duvet..!

Given that with bluetooth you have the option of turning it off, why can't you use it onboard. I was most annoyed that I got told to put my PDA away on our UCS flight in sept. Because knowing we didn't have V-Port I had loaded a few games on it to while away the hours[:(!]

Originally posted by Dave Adkins
Given that with bluetooth you have the option of turning it off, why can't you use it onboard. I was most annoyed that I got told to put my PDA away on our UCS flight in sept. Because knowing we didn't have V-Port I had loaded a few games on it to while away the hours[:(!]

Just a PDA with bluetooth?.. not a phone as well?? Why did you get told to turn it off? (with the exception of take-off and landing, where they do ask you to turn off all electronic equipment..)

I didn't get it out of my bag until after we had taken off and given the OK. When the CC saw it I was asked if it had Bluetooth, I said yes and she said I couldn't use it. Even when I said that the bluetooth was turned off!

Originally posted by Dave Adkins
I didn't get it out of my bag until after we had taken off and given the OK. When the CC saw it I was asked if it had Bluetooth, I said yes and she said I couldn't use it. Even when I said that the bluetooth was turned off!

Strange... can't think why.

Doesn't the nu Lufthansa business class, which looks really nice, have Wi-fi?

Tom