Mobile Phones - Flight Mode

[mitchja]

Here's one situation when using a mobile phone during taxiing is a good thing [:0]

Regards

Originally posted by DavidM
The use of mobile phones on petrol station forecourts is similar - widely ignored, and with no feeling that the risk (insofar as it is understood) is significant.

Over time, commercial pressures led to those rules being relaxed and, more significantly, ignored by pax and unenforced by airport authorities.

Quite right. I suggest that people at large are far more likely to comply with a law or restriction they can see the point of. For example, preiffer rightly points out that non-compliance with a crew instruction in the air is not tolerable in any circumstances... after all, who wants to mess with something as obviously important as safety when 35,000' above terra firma - even if you think at the back of your mind the particular instruction is frivolous. Far fewer people are so dogged in their compliance with, say, red traffic lights... even though ignoring them could just as easily bring one's time on the planet to a premature end. (I'd have used speed limits as an example, but my tin hat is in for service [}:)] )

My point is that I believe VS have to give serious thought to the ban on "flight safe mode" devices, as there is a danger such a policy will be considered frivolous, and thus undermine the "absolute" nature of a crew instruction. Even worse is an apparent tendency to turn a blind eye in some cases. No has to mean No when it is an aircrew instruction - hence my personal opinion that this particular ban should go altogether. (I should clarify I am referring to cellphones etc. that have their radio functions inhibited for the duration of the flight).

Regards to all...

Dave

I do happily use my Treo - with the radio turned off, of course - on flights. I've also used my laptop, and while I would make a conscious action of turning the phone part of the Treo off, I wouldn't necessarily remember to turn the wifi off on my laptop. Obviously, wifi and gsm are very different types of radio, particularly in terms of the range and power, but still, no-one seems worried that I might have my wifi on.

I have had a short argument with a member of the crew of an Easyjet flight who asked/told me not to use the Treo, and conversely, I've had a member of the crew on a Cathay flight come over and ask me about the Treo, in the air, as I was using it, because she wanted to buy a smartphone and was after advice. If someone asked me not to use it on a VA flight, I would argue that with the phone off it's just a PDA, but if they persisted, I would put it away - of course, as mentioned above, it would still be just as 'turned on' even in standby mode, and I wouldn't pull the battery - again, more because it wouldn't occur to me, or wouldn't have done.

I am entirely opposed to the use of phones on planes - the skyphones (or whatever they call them) are there, if anyone has an emergency call to make, but I would make an active choice to avoid an airline which supported the use of cellphones in flight. On the other hand, I would quite like wifi, but I would suggest that part of the T&Cs should explicitly forbid the use of the computer speakers, without headphones, or which required speech - i.e. VoIP. On the gripping hand, I already have a Nintendo DS, which has games which do require speaking to the machine...

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by p17blo

Originally posted by jetwet1
I can not remember where i saw this this,but there was an article a while back talking about in air internet service and how you could be sitting in the plane in peace and quiet till some norbert boot's up his computer and log's on to skype..what a horrible thought.

Well it was quite recently when I, and I am sure some others, where contacted by Sky whilst he was mid flight using messenger. So that day is already here (Wasn't a VS flight though).

Paul

No it wasn't that,I think it was in the USA today a while back.

Originally posted by derby_dave
My point is that I believe VS have to give serious thought to the ban on "flight safe mode" devices, as there is a danger such a policy will be considered frivolous, and thus undermine the "absolute" nature of a crew instruction. .....(I should clarify I am referring to cellphones etc. that have their radio functions inhibited for the duration of the flight).

Regards to all...

Dave

Dave - you're quite right. A functioning mobile phone or PDA which is in Flight Safe mode and is therefore transmitting nothing on Bluetooth, wi-fi, GSM, CDMA et cetera frequencies, represents absolutely no measurable risk whatever to any aircraft systems.

So, as long as everybody who has such a device knows how to operate it safely, and all cabin crew who might come into contact with such a device in an unsafe condition know how to identify that condition and make it safe, there is no technical safety reason not to relax the rules immediately. [:w]

Best wishes

David

I thought it was strange for such a big airline such as Virgin not to allow flight mode, when all of the other big airlines do. Ryaniar, BA, Qantas, bmiBaby etc.

Hopefully they will allow it sometime soon.

Maybe if VS brought down their charges for using the in-flight phones and had some sort of a system whereby you could attach your mobile number to that phone for the duration of the flight it would solve the problem. For the incoming call alert, a message could pop up on your monitor and/or a vibrating alert in your chair or something?

Cheers,
VS045

Original quote by preiffer

(By the way - confirmation of announcement on electronics - "ALL mobile phones, INCLUDING those with a flight safe mode must remain switched off until the aircraft doors reopen at San Francisco". They also made a specific (additional?) announcement about wireless devices and laptops...)

Thought I'd post this here to save getting another thread locked!

I don't suppose you can remember what they said in their additional announcement about wireless devices can you? i.e. did they allow or disallow them?

Hey don't worry about getting threads locked - its happened to us all! Usually for TLTAD (thread locked to avoid duplication).

VS's policy now seems clear - no PDA/phones, no smart phones, no mobile phones. I think I received a couple of unclear informations from VS CS and on flights, so there maybe a little lack of clarity amongst the staff. There maybe some turning of blind eyes, and of course it is really difficult to spot a PDA that is also a phone/wireless. While I accept that the stated policy leaves problematic areas with wireless capable PC's, nevertheless the rule is to turn of your phone wether it is a PDA as well or not. If pax choose to ignore that rule is up to them[V]

Now all i have to do is work out how to turn off a PDA that cannot be turned off without loosing all its data/setup......

Thanks for that sailor, I think I've got 2 options

1. Take a chance that my PSP won't be noticed and if it is, the cabin crew are happy with it.

2. E-mail Virgin and specifically ask them about use of a PSP.

I know some people have used them on Virgin flights but, being a nervous flyer, anything I can do, not to compromise aircraft safety, I'll do!! Even though the use of WiFi on aircraft may well be perfectly safe, I don't like to take chances when I'm 8 miles above ground!

Not sure what a PSP is I am afraid (Do you think it is my age). However you do have a 3rd option - just sit back, watch a few movies, have a few drinks, eat a bit, have a chat with the flight crew and kick back!

Not sure what a PSP is I am afraid (Do you think it is my age). However you do have a 3rd option - just sit back, watch a few movies, have a few drinks, eat a bit, have a chat with the flight crew and kick back!

Without getting ageist I am in my early 50's and having had to 'shell out' for one for Xmas prezzie for my son it is a Playstation Portable. It [?]plays games and movies from small DVD's.
Like most people I cannot see why I cannot use my PDA on board when I can turn bluetooth off and the wifi is a separate card!

It might be your age, you're too young!

A PSP is a PlayStation Portable (a handheld games console, with WiFi capability, hence the problem).

As for the 3rd option, I remember a flight I took where I had to watch a film 3 times during the flight (it had the Vauxhall Nova system installed), because I fell asleep, was interrupted by dinner service and fell asleep again! So I actually watched 3 different parts of ther movie at different times. It made it very interesting when I watched it on DVD sometime later!!

Having said that, I was in W (or K actually) at the time, this time, we'll be in J (or Z actually) so I might find more things to do!

Ah mobiles and PDA's.... Whatever would people do without them, life just stops when you can't text someone, or update your diary [:?][:?]

Just to add my two cents to this, NOTHING bugs me as much as people using mobiles in enclosed public spaces.... NO I don't want to hear if you've closed the deal, what you did last night, how your share portfolio is doing etc etc. That means Planes / Trains / Restaurants / Bars and the list goes on and on.

I go as far as to refuse to have a hands free kit in my car despite my employers saying I shoud do so in case one of my customers needs to contact me urgently. Bottom line is, even on hands free and wearing a stupid looking earpiece your concentration level is lowered!. So I refuse, it is after all my safety I'm interested in primarily!.

If you're on VS and the policy is NO....Then obey that policy or go fly someone else.

Here's a thought, slightly outdated now I know, but in the slim chance that there is nothing to entertain you on the extensive onboard IFE, then try reading a book.....

Rant over, valium taken feeling much calmer now

Still a little fuzzy about this play station thingy. I know what a book is though![y]

Jon,

I'm with you on the mobile phone feelings. I just wanna play my game (with my headphones on) on the flight. [:#]

Hey Sailor!

The official blurb on the PSP goes like this.....

'We at Sony have invented yet another pointless plastic box that will help enhance what must be a terribly dull life. You will be able to shut yourself away in darkened spaces and play mindless games for hours on end until your body shuts down all useful parts of your brain'... (Shameless use of Bill Hicks humour here - apologies!)

Just kidding really, have nothing against Sony or the PSP

edited typo out -

Have you tried the IFE on a LGW 747[?] As an avid cinema goer any film I want to see I see at the flicks as soon as it comes out. The whole idea of my PDA was as you said to keep my diary up to date, but also to use the GPS(in the car) AND play games on it on the plane. I also know what a book is and I take several on a LH flight just to make sure. The point is if any emissions are turned off why can't we use them?

Originally posted by Jon B
The official blurb on the PSP goes like this.....

'We at Sony have invented yet another pointless plastic box that will help enhance what must be a terribly dull life. You will be able to shut yourself away in darkened spaces and play mindless games for hours on end until your body shuts down all useful parts of your brain'

Boy, that sounds great! I could really do with enhancing my dull life! Can I buy one in a shop, or do I have to use that Ebay thingamegig?;)

Originally posted by Dave Adkins
Have you tried the IFE on a LGW 747[?] As an avid cinema goer any film I want to see I see at the flicks as soon as it comes out. The whole idea of my PDA was as you said to keep my diary up to date, but also to use the GPS(in the car) AND play games on it on the plane. I also know what a book is and I take several on a LH flight just to make sure. The point is if any emissions are turned off why can't we use them?

Hi Dave, agree that it does seem a grey area on this topic, esp on the 'are they safe or not' front.

But as someone said before, how do the CC know that everyone has set their 'cant live without for 10 hours' portable device to flight safe mode - How many times have you been in a cinema, when despite requests at the beginning, the wonderful nokia ringtone goes off.

Must be my age - grumpy old git syndrome setting in early (ish)

How many times have you been in a cinema, when despite requests at the beginning, the wonderful nokia ringtone goes off.

The difference is, a cinema can't fall out of the sky! [:$]

I thought that the announcement said "Turn all phones off or into flight mode" when I went to MCO back in December - though probably just me not paying attention as the phone as my PDA/phone was already in flight mode and 'switched off' (but with the battery still connected etc). [:I]

Anyway all this talk of PSPs has made me take the plunge and buy one - am blaming this thread![:p][}:)]

Simon

From a crew perspective Flight modes and company policy is a headache... the reason behind the policy is this

"CAA - All cabin crew need to be able to understand the funtions of PEDs and to verify the Flight safe mode functions." VAA therefore have said that as there are so many different models available it would be impossible for a crew member to know how all the models work and to verify the Flight Safe mode.

Looking at the list below be thankfull they have not banned laptop pcs. as technically crew would not be expected to understand all models if the Airport/WI-Fi or Wlan is actice or not??

Radio transmitters, satellite phones and two way pagers.
- Mobile telephones, including all their functions e.g. camera, games, clock etc.
- Infra-red/ remote controlled toys or equipment.
- All personal communication equipment capable of transmitting or receiving data, even if
fitted with a flight safe mode.
- Laptop computers using Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or Wireless Personal
Area Network (WPAN) technology.

A good book always sees me through the flight! Failing that the I pod, failing that IFE.

or my dvd player would do..