Flying Laptop Question

[mitchja]

Does anyone know what the situation is with laptop's that have wirless network cards in them and using them on board [?]

I always carry a lap-top with me and but I've just gone wireless - I sometimes do some work (as little as possible though) whilst flying but do wireless network cards pose the same problems and mobile phone signals [?]

What about BlueTooth as well [?]

Cheers

[Pete]

Strictly speaking, anything that transmits (Mobiles, bluetooth, wireless, etc) shouldn't be used at all on an aircraft. Mobiles are more of an issue since their signal strength is so much greater - but it's a good idea to turn off wireless & bluetooth if you want to use your laptop on an aircraft.

Pix

[mitchja]

Thanks Pix

I'll remove the wireless card before boarding.

[Decker]

Interestingly http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/4520-7296_16-4208002.html maintains that the A340-600 is certified WIFI safe!

OMG I was wondering a similar thing a couple of days ago!

The idea of a multiplayer deathmatch at 30000 feet sounds much more appealing than trying to beat the lap record on F-Zero [}:)]

[Bazz]

Slight digression, when we were on our recent LAS flight, I used my P900 extensively to make notes and also tidy up the contacts I had imported from MS Outlook.

I had it 'Flight' mode which switches off all receive/transmit functions for the phone including Bluetooth. I know Declan said they were not allowed even in 'Flight' mode because they were not CAA/FAA approved but the crew didn't stop me, in fact I was even showing them the cached mobile.virfginflyer.com website pages, they were particularly impressed with the seat maps!

Bazz, did you not even get an initial reaction from them when they saw your mobile? Did they require much persuasion?

quote:Originally posted by Bazz
Slight digression, when we were on our recent LAS flight, I used my P900 extensively to make notes and also tidy up the contacts I had imported from MS Outlook.

Don't you just hate the way the contacts/recurring events are imported? I have the P800, and it's my major gripe (well, it's my only gripe )

[Bazz]

Anteo, no questions were raised I have the flip on the phone aswell so it doesn't look like a PDA, I didn't have to persuade anyone!

Mike, havn't imported any recurring events so not sure on that one, Contact just seems to need a little forward planning to ensure the data is in the right fields.

As a Psion man of many years I have been trying to find a replacement based on a phone, didn't want the Nokia Communicator, and needed tri-band for the US. I am now trying to get some software to increase the functionality in the WP and spreadsheet area, (spent £150 on the stuff at the weekend still I got the phone for £129 on a £45 a month contract from o2).

So far I'm very impressed with the little beast!

[Decker]

Interested in this as having to toss up between Blackberry (no bluetooth), P900 and new Communicator. Balance seems to be in favour of 900?

[Bazz]

Decker,

I decided Bluetooth was a must have, so that was another factor in my DMP. I have the Sony Ericsson HBH-65 Headset and find it works really well, esp in the car. It is so comfortable to wear, I keep forgeting I've got it on.

Some of the add-in software takes up a lot of space so I have filled the 32Mb Duo that comes with the phone and now am going to buy a 128Mb, Sony make em up to 1Gb but the 512Mb and 1Gb are not compatable with the P800/900 unfortunately.

[Decker]

quote:Originally posted by Bazz
Decker,

I decided Bluetooth was a must have, so that was another factor in my DMP. I have the Sony Ericsson HBH-65 Headset and find it works really well, esp in the car. It is so comfortable to wear, I keep forgeting I've got it on.

I have the same headset but find that over 30 mph in the car I start to get interference - probably down to the electronic ignition. Audi's response was "well factory fit an in car kit" - somewhat missing the point on bluetooth portability I think. So I'm now in the market for a different car [:(]. If only I could justify the new Morgan...

[Bazz]

Doesn't seem to be a problem in my XK8.

[Decker]

Such a dearth of 4 seater ragtops....

I'd like to take this opportunity to fully recommend the Parrot Bluetooth Carkit. I just start my car and it connects - phone never leaves my pocket; it uses the car speakers, and even makes "Phone" appear on the radio. Then again, i did install it myself...

Using it currently with the Nokia 6600. Works fine with a range of bluetooth phones including the P800/900, T68, Panasonic X70 and Motorola V600.

quote:Mike, havn't imported any recurring events so not sure on that one, Contact just seems to need a little forward planning to ensure the data is in the right fields.

Bazz

Granted, forward planning is something to bear in mind, but I shouldn't really have to think too much about that. As much as I hate to say it, M$ software is fairly common and SE should be able to design their s/w around it. Anyway, a minor bugbear - perhaps when I (eventually) make the switch to SuSE I'll get it all sorted

BTW, I got my P800 for nowt courtest of a bending of T-Mobile's upgrade policy Shame that at renewal they'll be losing a 4-y.o. account by slipping in a charge for monthly itemised billing [:(!]

Cheers

I still say that mobile phones cannot be used in FLIGHT MODE or not.

I suppose it depends on the crew member involved.

Very often when the crew say ou cannot use the phone the passenger will say its in flight mode, the crew should still request the pax to turn it off.

Still, sometimes they will say ok, you stand a few rows behind them and next thing is there on there phone again!! so again you request them to turn it of but a little louder this time.

Now there commiting an offence under the Air Navigation Order by disobeying a crew member instructions!!

[Bazz]

I only used it in flight mode and would not contravene the safety regs by using it when I shouldn't. As mentioned above, in flight mode all transmit and receive functions are dead so providing the thing is completely switched off for take off and landing there should not be any technical problems.

However I understand your earlier comments about it not being approved and if the crew had asked me to turn it off I would have done so, I do not believe in compromising safety (or arguing with the crew over such matters).

I think its also psychological thing, if I see you on your phone in flight mode other pax around u may start using there phones to play games or check things out.

U would be surprised how many passengers you catch playing 'snake' on there phones or okaying with other phones which dont even have 'flight mode'

[Bazz]

Hadn't thought of the "me too" syndrome Declan, I'll keep that in mind, maybe remove the flip so it looks less like a phone and more like a PDA. Thanks.

[mitchja]

Interesting artical appeared on Busniesstraveller.com regarding using mobiles phones in 'flight mode' whilst onboard

http://www.businesstraveller.com/homepa ... rity.REF=2

Ok,I am completely confused here. My laptop requires a phone jack of some kind,does this mean I will not be able to communicate with my friends while in the air? I hope I am reading this wrong this will be a total bust if I can't use it in flight.[:(]

Can someone please clear this up for me?

Thanx
Terry

[Pete]

A phone jack? Are you planning to try and make a data call over the satellite phone? Ouch - that would be *expensive*

You can use laptops (but not during take off and landing), and power them from the in-seat power (in Upper, and in PE on certain aircraft - not sure about Economy, haven't been in there in a while;)), but you can't wireless network with friends on the aircraft. Whilst there probably is no danger, there's a huge amount of sensitive wiring running up and down the aircraft that is keeping you in the air, and the airlines get a bit twitchy about any electronics that might interfere with it. Anyone remember that Swissair flight that came down because of the IFE wiring? Nasty business.

Pix

Thanx Pix,I'm not planning on making a phone call,I was talking about using my yahoo mssg to chat with my friends. I know planes have mobile type phones that I do not plan on using.I was only refering to my yahoo mssg thats all. I guess I'll have to wait and see when I get on board..

The fligh is gonna be bad enough cause my hubby snores like a bear and will prolly piss everyone off.I just wanted to keep myself occupied.
Thank You
Terry

catlady

quote:I'm not planning on making a phone call,I was talking about using my yahoo mssg to chat with my friends.

To use Yahoo IM, you'll need an internet connection - this will involve making a connection to an ISP via a data call with the modem, or connecting to a LAN or a wireless network. Onboard a plane, 2 out of these 3 are currently prohibited/impossible. The only way I could think of you doing this onboard would be by making the data call over the satellite phone - like Pix says, this would be extortionately expensive, even if the phones onboard have dataports (I suspect they don't - as much as I'm pretty much a geek, I've never even looked, sometimes it's good to be away from the 'net for a few hours )

Cheers

Michael