Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - SAA won't allow iphone or blackberry in flight mode??

I just traveled to/from South Africa on SAA (JFK--JNB and return) and was dismayed to find out that I was not allowed to use my iphone as an ipod even in flight mode with wi-fi and location service and everything else turned off. This was pretty distressing for a 16 hour flight as my husband and I both had prepared for the long haul with loading up our phones with relaxing music and many puzzles and games and videos.

Furthermore, instead of asking us nicely to turn them off, they actually sent a security agent down to our row and practically grabbed them out of our hands. When I tried to explain how they were just the same as an ipod Touch the security guy literally tried to take it from me to shut it off.

I've never experienced this on any airline before! What's up with this ridiculous policy?

To add insult to injury, the back-of-seat video was working erratically for the whole flight for most of the plane and they had to reboot it several times, so we were never able to watch a film all the way through. (The pilot was quite apologetic about this and advised us to send complaints to SAA!)

I'm certainly going to have to think twice before flying SAA again--or resurrect my old ipod :rolleyes:

SAA not at fault here. This is the South African Civil aviation authority who is still living in the dark ages.

Any flights operated to/from SA are technically under the "no phones even in airplane mode, unless cabin door open" rule, its a joke, but it is what it is.

In theory of course SA CAA rules restrict usage on any SA owned aircraft (SA not just SAA).

I have wondered if you use your phone once cleared the active runway in jfk/iad as per FAA rules on an SAA flight what would happen? Who is the "big chief"? a) FAA you're in their airspace, and they allow usage or b) SA CAA you're on a plane belonging to their register?

My "not an expert" opinion is that they will nail you for not adhering to cabin crew instructions, albeit that those instructions are not valid for that airspace.

On a separate note I have been allowed to use my 3G iPad in flight, whilst the person sitting next to me with an iPhone was prevented with the unit in flightmode. Essentially same hardware........

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On a separate note I have been allowed to use my 3G iPad in flight, whilst the person sitting next to me with an iPhone was prevented with the unit in flightmode. Essentially same hardware........

I think this last remark somewhat explains their thinking:
Although everyone here understands that iPhones and Blackberries can be switched to a 'flight mode', one cannot expect the cabin crew to know the possibilities of every 'phone or 'phone-like device out there. So the passenger may say "it is switched to flight mode", but the CC cannot know if a) there is a 'flight mode' on that particular piece of equipment and b) asuming there is one, if it is actually activated.
That was the explanation which was once given to me, and I have some sympathy for it.
Of course, it is easy to pick holes in it: how can the CC know that an iPod - like device has no phone capabilities, how to handle iPads (even without 3G, as WiFi is also not allowed) and how about laptops with embedded 3G (plus again the WiFi issue).
The whole issue of electronics in flight is quite complicated. I personally dread the day that mobile phones will be allowed in flight....

The real issue is that this has been taken too far. The truth of the matter is that all consumer wireless equipment has ZERO effect.

Every time you fly you can be assured that at least one moron has left their phone on, and to date no plane has gone down.

The output is so minimal, linked with the masses of electro shielding installed in every aircraft, this whole non issue is taken way out of proportion.

Agreed on calling from the plane being a nuisance, however most aircraft have had phones for years.

I've found that understanding of what is/is not allowed/dangerous on a plane varies greatly with culture, and there is a tendency of people to push the limits until they are physically stopped. I've even been on a flight where more than one pax were on the phone shortly after takeoff! If this happens as often as I suspect then it must surely be easier to enforce a blanket ban on transmitting devices, whatever state they're in, than trying to ascertain what "state" each device is in.

It was always a shock to me that pax in the US turn on their cell phones as soon as the wheels touch down. If you did that in Europe and were seen you could expect a nice pair of police officers to be there to meet you at the gate.

We found the same issue on our recent flights. We kept the iPhone's / iPad's off (or blank screen) on the ground, but in flight mode, and as soon as we were rolling down the taxi way, started using them.

SAA also did not like us listening to music while on the ground.

Just learned to listen to the chatter from the galley instead:)

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SAA also did not like us listening to music while on the ground.



That is the case with very many airlines. The reason is that when you wear earphones which are not connected to the PA system you cannot hear any PA announcements which during taxying, take off and landing is considered unsafe.

The real issue is that this has been taken too far. The truth of the matter is that all consumer wireless equipment has ZERO effect.

Every time you fly you can be assured that at least one moron has left their phone on, and to date no plane has gone down.

The output is so minimal, linked with the masses of electro shielding installed in every aircraft, this whole non issue is taken way out of proportion.

Agreed on calling from the plane being a nuisance, however most aircraft have had phones for years.

I agree with almost all of this. Whether or not the effect is ZERO, I am not in a position to know, but it must be minimal.
As far as aircraft with phones are concerned, yes of course ,many widebodies have these. Have you ever seen anyone use one of these? I have not, must be the cost. If the use of mobile phones would cost the same as these in-flight phones, I have no problem with allowing it, as it will only be used sporadically (I hope :confused:). What I fear are a) the businessman who holds a 20 min conversation right next to-, in front of- or behind me(preferably during an overnight flight :eek:) and even worse b) the 'hi Mom you can never guess where I am calling you from' call :(

I wonder how effective a mobile network would be 'in flight', especially in- or en route to South Africa. Over urban areas there would likely be a signal, but how effective is the network in 'passing on' the call from cell to cell at a speed of 800KM/hr, especially at an altitude (=distance from the transmitter) of up to10 KM or more. Any experts here?

That is the case with very many airlines. The reason is that when you wear earphones which are not connected to the PA system you cannot hear any PA announcements which during taxying, take off and landing is considered unsafe.

:) I was told this once a few years ago on a CPT - JNB and asked "So deaf persons arent permitted to fly?" ....... the confusion, I could see my question had dislodged the hamster from his wheel..

I always get around the silly SA'n CAA rule by using a non-ipod/iphone looking headphone set and then hiding my iphone in my pocket. Worked every time.

Latest head scratcher to the FA's on SAA has been my kindle, where there is still something on the screen even if it is turned "off".

We're going to pretend we didn't see/hear some of those suggestions... :-)

As already mentioned, this is not an SA-specific rule but rather a mandage by the South African Civil Aviation Authority. SAA recently received approval to conduct testing on limited flights, and once the results of those tests have been reviewed, we hope to have some good news to share. Unfortunatley, there's no time frame on an update.

Regards,
South African Airways
North America

We're going to pretend we didn't see/hear some of those suggestions... :-)

As already mentioned, this is not an SA-specific rule but rather a mandage by the South African Civil Aviation Authority. SAA recently received approval to conduct testing on limited flights, and once the results of those tests have been reviewed, we hope to have some good news to share. Unfortunatley, there's no time frame on an update.

Regards,
South African Airways
North America

If 'good news' means allowing the use of mobile phones on SAA aircraft, I'll be giving preference to other airlines!

If 'good news' means allowing the use of mobile phones on SAA aircraft, I'll be giving preference to other airlines!

You dont need to worry about calls, or text messages. It will be for games, ipod type function and movies. Logical stuff that had any body other than the CAA been involved been in operation already.

GSM signal will not reach the altitudes and SAA routing takes it over essentially a "black hole"

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GSM signal will not reach the altitudes and SAA routing takes it over essentially a "black hole"


Thats what I was wondering (see my earlier post).

As long as its not GSM calls. An aircraft currently seems to be the only 'public' place where you are protected from incessant 'yapping on mobile phones'!