Air New Zealand Air Points - Ignorant American!

So I am coming home on NZ1, (LHR-LAX) we land and I get the great idea to call the family as we wait for a gate at LAX. Bad idea, I am in 4K and 3 New Zealander passengers snap at me to shut it off, I am some how endangering their lives, even though we are sitting still.

I am fine with it at the end of the day, but what gives? why can i be turning on my phone on UA / AA any US airline, but at the same airport international passengers are convinced my cellphone will put our stopped plane back in the air?

NZ requires that cellphones remain off until the aircraft's doors are open. Given that you're on an aircraft largely governed by NZ aviation requirements, the polite thing to do would be to respect the requirements, even if you don't agree with them.

Obviously situations where you're holding 10 feet away from a gate present an infinitesimal risk, but I had the situation earlier this year of crewing a flight, parked at the gate prior to departure, where the entire flight plan mysteriously wiped itself from the cockpit system at the exact moment a passenger sent a text message, delaying the flight nearly half an hour. While it may have been just coincidence, why take the risk when 99.999999999% of cellphone conversations will not result in the end of the world if delayed for 5-10 more minutes?

And thats fine, glad to know it was the rule / NZ law, I guess I failed to listen properly at the beginning, oops. I honestly wouldn't have done it, had I known it was such an issue, but it does strike me as odd FAA rules don't apply when landing in a US city, but NZ rules would.

Isn't that like bringing my NZ Holden to the US and driving on the left side of the road and saying "But officer, NZ rules apply to my vehicle".

I know that is a silly comparison, and I am admitting fault here, just trying to bring up some reasoning / conversation.

It is interesting how different jurisdictions have different policies.
QF allows phone use after landing once the aircraft has cleared the operating runway.
I imagine they would have looked for any technical issues before bringing in this policy....
One more reason to watch the safety video, I guess...

Agree with NZRich on this one. NZ specifically state that cellphones are not to be used until the doors are open.

I had an interesting experience flying into LAX last month. There was a major meltdown at LAX with US Immigration IT system - long story. After half an hour on the a/c the pilot announced cellphones could be used. I tell you - it saved my bacon. I was able to ring my sis in law in LA and advise of the delay and that she needed to pick me up rather than using public transport.

I am sure NZ would have made PA prior to landing or, at least after the a/c had landed about cellphone usage. They always do in my experience.

it does strike me as odd FAA rules don't apply when landing in a US city, but NZ rules would.



But when you land in Sydney or London on UA the FAA rules do apply -- the key issue is the aircraft's country of registration.

(I guess additional FAA rules apply on landing if they are more stringent than the NZ or UK CAA rules, but not if they are less stringent - i.e cell phone use)

(I guess additional FAA rules apply on landing if they are more stringent than the NZ or UK CAA rules, but not if they are less stringent - i.e cell phone use)

It is actually a FCC rule not an FAA rule. Basically the premise is that when you are 30,000ft in the air your mobile is going to cause problems for the ground stations as it will be picked up by multiple stations, if you multiply that by all passengers then you do start to see the problem emerging for the networks. Honestly I would say that on every flight with nearly 100% of people having a phone at least someone would leave theirs on, and planes aren't falling out of the sky.

Funnily enough LH goes even further - not even allowed to use cellphone in flight mode until off the a/c :(

And of course, it is against US law to use a cell phone in the customs area...

Most cellphone restrictions were put in place years ago when airlines madly equipped themselves with in-seat phones, saw it as a golden venture and did all they could to prevent passengers from using their own phones (remember these 2 minutes at $ 5.00 and then only when it worked ?).

The market has fizzled but the restrictions remain as nobody bothers to remove them. In view of large delays involving aircraft holding for gates or being stuck at one, some large US airlines reluctantly relented and saw the "phone OK when aircraft on ground" as a cheap concession.

In Europe, Easyjet and other cabin crews will go beserk at the sight of a cellphone being used or even flipped on after landing, but they have no idea why... Thus are started old wives tales.

There it is, History....

AC has exactly the same policy as NZ. It seems to be a country of origin thing.

Hmmm....I seem to recall that QF NZ, Jetconnect allow the cell phones to be switched on after vacating the runway and their aircraft are all ZK (NZ registered).
Not that it matters to me because I hate how people turn their phones on the second the plane lands or gets to the gate.

Hmmm....I seem to recall that QF NZ, Jetconnect allow the cell phones to be switched on after vacating the runway and their aircraft are all ZK (NZ registered).

That is correct. Very handy too if you have someone picking you up at AKL since the airport no longer allows short term parking in front of the terminal.

Very handy too if you have someone picking you up at AKL since the airport no longer allows short term parking in front of the terminal.

Does this mean that the metered spaces are gone from in front of the terminal? I hope not - those were so handy for quick meet and greets!

Don't think there is any? The carpark opposite regional sub-terminal has a big sign on the approach to terminal saying for drop offs and pick-ups (very sneaky), can stop in front of terminal but only for a limited time (until shooed away by the parking wardens).

Of course you're right - I was thinking of the International terminal! :eek:

Sorry I should have mentioned domestic terminal.

That is correct. Very handy too if you have someone picking you up at AKL since the airport no longer allows short term parking in front of the terminal.

Agree with this, I will park on a side road about 2 Min's away and wait for the call or txt to swing by and pick up, the "PARKING OFFICERS" will not allow a wait of any length, basically if you don't have someone getting in to the car, they move in, and tell you that the camera will get your plate and send you a ticket.

That said I was in MAN 2 weeks ago, and due to terror alert stuff, you have to go in to the car park for pick up and drop off, meaning you have 15mins before having to pay for a ticket, so timing is key!

tht

Agree with this, I will park on a side road about 2 Min's away and wait for the call or txt to swing by and pick up, the "PARKING OFFICERS" will not allow a wait of any length, basically if you don't have someone getting in to the car, they move in, and tell you that the camera will get your plate and send you a ticket.Agreed.
My usual lift/mobile meeting waits at a nearby cafe.

I love no cell phones on aircraft and applaud NZ and LH for keeping them off the flights. I much rather not be party to the inability for many pax to behave considerately especially with cell phone conversations.