IFE Turn Off

So if NZ have proved that it is safe surely others can follow suit but then again i guess it would be down to cost again, going through safety checks etc!

Makes for a more reliable system. Comparing the number of defects between two airlines using the same system (Panasonic 3000E), the airline that doesn't turn it off (EK) has far fewer defects than VS.

Originally posted by virginboy747
1 hr 15 is ridiculously early to turn it off. 30 - 35 mins is just about right.

I suppose there is a potential defence here - sometimes when landing into LHR or elsewhere the initial approach looks good and an ETA is forecast against which the CC secure the cabin, then there's a stack or a hold?

But the odyssey system has a tendency to overheat and that is when it goes wrong and screens start to freeze. The engineers have asked us to turn the whole system off prior to landing so it gets a chance to cool down during turnaround.
And you're right slinky09 we have to work on the ETA given to us by the F/D. Last week we were coming in from MCO and atc gave us a quicker route in, cutting 10 mins off the approach. You can imagine the fun we had trying to secure as the landing gear was coming down. Just made it in time!

Last week we were coming in from MCO and atc gave us a quicker route in, cutting 10 mins off the approach. You can imagine the fun we had trying to secure as the landing gear was coming down. Just made it in time!

Just curious if you hadn't made it in time does someone get the fun job of telling the Captain the cabin isn't ready? I only ask as I remember a bunch of years ago (2000?) watching a member of crew just click their seatbelt as the wheels touched... That was cutting it fine.

I have to let the captain know when the cabin is secure. He gives a signal to ask if the cabin is ready and if he doesn't get a reply then he cant proceed with the approach and has to prepare to circle until we are ready. That's why life is so much easier if pax compy with what we ask them to do (removing blankets, switching off ipods, seats upright etc) The quicker we#re secure, the quicker we'll land! All crew should be seated by the time the landing gear goes down.

random question but...

why do VA make you put down your blind in flight? I have flew loads of overnights and VA are the only ones who make you put it down. Really frustrates me as I love looking out the window (ok I know sometimes you cant see much) but why not be given the choice?

why do VA make you put down your blind in flight? I have flew loads of overnights and VA are the only ones who make you put it down. Really frustrates me as I love looking out the window (ok I know sometimes you cant see much) but why not be given the choice?

Don't get me started...

Seriously though, on the VS and BA flights I've done back from Barbados I've never been asked to put my blind down - not that there's anything worth seeing anyway. Daytime flight back from Singapore and blinds were down most of the way...

We cant make you put your blind down, it's just a request. Usually will be when it's going to get light a few hours before we land and is a courtesy toensure pax get as much sleep as possible. There's nothing like direct sunlight on your face to wake you up.

thanks. Im a really bad flyer and seeing what is going on - even if we are just in clouds or whatever helps me settle a bit. [:D]

Originally posted by virginboy747
We cant make you put your blind down, it's just a request. Usually will be when it's going to get light a few hours before we land and is a courtesy toensure pax get as much sleep as possible. There's nothing like direct sunlight on your face to wake you up.

Every time it happens to me, which is pretty well every flight with an element of darkness it is delivered as an instruction/request I must comply with[V].

So - just to prove it's not always the same the IFE was on till after landing on VS19 last Sunday (17th August). We did a go around and got to see the route we took for the 2nd approach.


Dom

oops they forgot to turn it off, I've done that a couple of times!

Originally posted by virginboy747
Can you tell me which ones, and I'll see if I know anyone who works for them and ask them why they're allowed to keep their IFE on. I know that us, BA, Frist Choice and Thomson have to turn ours off, but anyone got any experience with other UK carriers? I'll email our safety department to clarify and let you know what they come back with.

sorry about the late reply
That would be Thomsonfly and First Choice[:)]

Speak to me if you like [:p]
At Thomsonfly we are actually not allowed to switch power off to the IFE at anytime and if we do are threatened with death(near enough)

We do have the facility to turn the movies/games/Map off though however at this stage music is then switched on so to a degree you are right IFE is off but part of it- music is still on- over the PA (and a distraction in my personal opinion)

I flew first choice to turkey last month and they turned theirs off when the seatbelt sign came on and made sure everyone had removed their headphones.

At thomsonfly are pax alowed to keep headphones on for landing, cause I think this is the issue at virgin. I dont think the problem is having the screens on, it's pax wearing headphones that would impede their exit in an emergency.

Ah, wires crossed, i'm only comparing long haul with the seatback IFE. Headfones off for both airlines but landing music played on 767's

Sorry to bring up an old thread however I thought this was relevant. Air NZ are now advertising that you can use the IFE throughout the ENTIRE flight link

edited to provide a much better page link inspired by Sealink

Yep ANZ have done special evacuation and safety drills for their aviation authority in order to give them the licence to have their IFE on at all times.

The thing I find interesting here is that they patently think that they will get extra sales as a direct result of this feature

[Decker]

Well they patently think it will act as a differentiator in a competitive marketplace [;)]

Both QF and DJ allow you to use the IFE from gate to gate. Although on QF its only the radio channels available during take off and landing.

The mobile phone difference is because QF use jetways and DJ use both jetways and steps (rear entry) and I think the rule is no mobiles on the tarmac.

Well condsider this:

Did Han Solo turn off the holographic chess set 1hr 15mins before the Millennium Falcon arrived at Alderaan? Nope. And he didn't even make his pax wear seatbelts.

Originally posted by Badhorsey
Well condsider this:

Did Han Solo turn off the holographic chess set 1hr 15mins before the Millennium Falcon arrived at Alderaan? Nope. And he didn't even make his pax wear seatbelts.

Only on take-off from Mos Eisley. [;)]