Delta: using FaceTime over WIFI caused issue with crew
Jul 22, 2016, 2:23 pm
#46
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Yup, it's definitely a concern about annoying the neighbors. The VoIP prohibition certainly also covers FaceTime - unless you have it on mute and are using sign language, I suppose...
Jul 22, 2016, 2:29 pm
#47
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Years ago, I was flying on CO, and, as I attempted to walk toward the forward lav in my shoeless, socked feet, the F FA told me that is was an FAA violation to use the lav without shoes on. 
That said . . . Now, years later, and MUCH wiser, I realize the REAL reason not to use the lav without shoes on!
That said . . . Now, years later, and MUCH wiser, I realize the REAL reason not to use the lav without shoes on!
Jul 22, 2016, 2:33 pm
#48
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I agree. Voice only is very low bandwidth (I'm pretty sure similar things have been discussed when someone was asking about listening to the radio over WiFi), and uses less data than most of what people do when browsing.
However from a noise pollution perspective I fully understand and support all bans on calling.
However from a noise pollution perspective I fully understand and support all bans on calling.
Jul 22, 2016, 2:54 pm
#49
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Hi Folks,
I'm on a Delta flight from SFO to JFK. The flight is nearly empty, so I decided to purchase a ~$40 Gogo in-flight WIFI data plan, get some work done and FaceTime (Vo-ip) back home. FaceTime worked great and the quality was close to an LTE connection. I wasn't being loud or rude. There is nobody sitting around me.
10 minutes passed and a flight attendant told me to disable FaceTime because it was in violation of FAA rules. I told her it was over Gogo WIFI (Cellular doesn't work at 10,000+ feet anyway) that I purchased and there was no mention restrictions on FaceTime shown when purchasing the plan or mention of FAA rules restricting FaceTime aka Vo-ip. Long story short I disabled FaceTime and started searching for rules regarding this.
FAA doesn't appear to mention any restriction on vo-ip using WIFI. I did find mention restricting it in Gogo's Delta "terms and conditions" as follows in very small font (Jul-21-2016):
"Voice service is not permitted nor supported."
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ght-wi-fi.html
I do not recall seeing any mention of this when Gogo offered me the $40/flight plan.
Gogo could block FaceTime but it does not. I'm happy to follow the rules, however am very confused on the background for restricting vo-ip or FaceTime on flights. It's going over the legally approved WIFI, the service could be blocked by Gogo if it really interfered with bandwidth and in past years airplanes had a phone in front of every seat. Is it a noise issue? If so, then why the phones in planes a few years back? Perhaps the added income was enough for airlines to allow talking on the phone in flight.
Interesting in your thoughts.
Thanks
I'm on a Delta flight from SFO to JFK. The flight is nearly empty, so I decided to purchase a ~$40 Gogo in-flight WIFI data plan, get some work done and FaceTime (Vo-ip) back home. FaceTime worked great and the quality was close to an LTE connection. I wasn't being loud or rude. There is nobody sitting around me.
10 minutes passed and a flight attendant told me to disable FaceTime because it was in violation of FAA rules. I told her it was over Gogo WIFI (Cellular doesn't work at 10,000+ feet anyway) that I purchased and there was no mention restrictions on FaceTime shown when purchasing the plan or mention of FAA rules restricting FaceTime aka Vo-ip. Long story short I disabled FaceTime and started searching for rules regarding this.
FAA doesn't appear to mention any restriction on vo-ip using WIFI. I did find mention restricting it in Gogo's Delta "terms and conditions" as follows in very small font (Jul-21-2016):
"Voice service is not permitted nor supported."
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ght-wi-fi.html
I do not recall seeing any mention of this when Gogo offered me the $40/flight plan.
Gogo could block FaceTime but it does not. I'm happy to follow the rules, however am very confused on the background for restricting vo-ip or FaceTime on flights. It's going over the legally approved WIFI, the service could be blocked by Gogo if it really interfered with bandwidth and in past years airplanes had a phone in front of every seat. Is it a noise issue? If so, then why the phones in planes a few years back? Perhaps the added income was enough for airlines to allow talking on the phone in flight.
Interesting in your thoughts.
Thanks
I have had people try to Facetime or Audio call on a plane but never take it because connection will usually be too slow.
Jul 22, 2016, 3:25 pm
#50
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Jul 22, 2016, 5:04 pm
#51
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I will never understand why some people get so upset over a passenger talking to his phone/computer. How is it any different then any other passenger talking? Sure, if they are getting heated on the phone I can understand that, but I don't get what passengers are looking for.
Do they want the plane to be total silence? That will never happen. Is it rude for me to talk to my seatmate (friend or not?) What about passengers casually chatting up others/FA's? Is that okay? If so, where does the line get drawn? I have no issues with someone being on their phone/computer so long as they aren't being loud and obnoxious.
If you don't want to hear people, get a private plane chartered, or since that's out of budget for 99.9% of us, buy a nice pair of noise canceling headphones and you won't have to worry about hearing others.
Do they want the plane to be total silence? That will never happen. Is it rude for me to talk to my seatmate (friend or not?) What about passengers casually chatting up others/FA's? Is that okay? If so, where does the line get drawn? I have no issues with someone being on their phone/computer so long as they aren't being loud and obnoxious.
If you don't want to hear people, get a private plane chartered, or since that's out of budget for 99.9% of us, buy a nice pair of noise canceling headphones and you won't have to worry about hearing others.
Almost universally, in my experience, people speak much louder when using a phone vs. speaking to the person seated next to them. Personally I can't stand being next to someone on the phone.
Particularly with all of the background noise on a plane (esp. the sound of the plane itself), one would need to speak louder to have an intelligible phone conversation.
If real estate were not such a precious commodity on planes, I would suggest they have phone booth type rooms that people could step into to have a conversation. Perhaps we will see this in the future in J or intl F cabins.
Particularly with all of the background noise on a plane (esp. the sound of the plane itself), one would need to speak louder to have an intelligible phone conversation.
If real estate were not such a precious commodity on planes, I would suggest they have phone booth type rooms that people could step into to have a conversation. Perhaps we will see this in the future in J or intl F cabins.
Jul 22, 2016, 6:53 pm
#52
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+1
Jul 22, 2016, 7:46 pm
#53
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On 9/11 money was the last thing on their minds.
Agreed - on balance please - no cell phones or VoIP on flights please.
Jul 22, 2016, 8:08 pm
#54
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Jul 22, 2016, 8:14 pm
#55
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Jul 22, 2016, 9:11 pm
#56
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I used Skype to get my voicemail from home and it worked. Actually better than the hotel I stayed at that night.
Didn't know I was breaking some rule.
Didn't know I was breaking some rule.
Jul 22, 2016, 10:08 pm
#59
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Jul 22, 2016, 11:31 pm
#60
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 34
I will never understand why some people get so upset over a passenger talking to his phone/computer. How is it any different then any other passenger talking? Sure, if they are getting heated on the phone I can understand that, but I don't get what passengers are looking for.
Do they want the plane to be total silence? That will never happen. Is it rude for me to talk to my seatmate (friend or not?) What about passengers casually chatting up others/FA's? Is that okay? If so, where does the line get drawn? I have no issues with someone being on their phone/computer so long as they aren't being loud and obnoxious.
If you don't want to hear people, get a private plane chartered, or since that's out of budget for 99.9% of us, buy a nice pair of noise canceling headphones and you won't have to worry about hearing others.
Do they want the plane to be total silence? That will never happen. Is it rude for me to talk to my seatmate (friend or not?) What about passengers casually chatting up others/FA's? Is that okay? If so, where does the line get drawn? I have no issues with someone being on their phone/computer so long as they aren't being loud and obnoxious.
If you don't want to hear people, get a private plane chartered, or since that's out of budget for 99.9% of us, buy a nice pair of noise canceling headphones and you won't have to worry about hearing others.