Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Discontinued Programs/Partners > Delta SkyMiles (Pre-WorldPerks Merger)
Reload this Page >

DL bans noise cancelling headphones under 10,000 feet

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

DL bans noise cancelling headphones under 10,000 feet

 
Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 25, 2004, 8:03 pm
  #1  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: DL FO, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 12,003
DL bans noise cancelling headphones under 10,000 feet

I was on a DL flight Wednesday morning and the FA announced that DL will no longer let you use your noise cancelling headphones under 10,000 feet because of possible interference with the electronic equipment in the cockpit. She said that this was a recent change in the rules. Has anyone else encountered this?
RSSrsvp is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2004, 8:45 pm
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Florida - Delta Charter DM/3.3MM; Lifetime SPG Plat; HH Gold;
Posts: 1,789
This is a new FAA (not Delta) regulation which went into effect on 11/15/04. FA on two different flights last week said that it was due to a person's inability to follow directions and hear announcements in case of an emergency.
RunawayNFly is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2004, 9:28 pm
  #3  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
Great.

Of course, if you are plugged into the Delta sound system, you get the annoucements anyway and if you don't have them plugged in at all, then you can hear the normal annoucements too.
indufan is online now  
Old Nov 25, 2004, 11:47 pm
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SDF
Programs: DL DM (1.1MM), MR TEL, HH DL, Avis P+ National Ex+, blah blah blah
Posts: 1,033
Thumbs down Sad, but true

Yes, it's true. I had a FA instruct me "you have to turn those off" as we descended last week. I didn't have to do it a few weeks ago.
Oh well. Though I agree with you indufan, I think I can actually hear the announcements better with them on as background noise is filtered out. Most a/c pa systems barely meet audiblity requirements, much less intelligibility.
javajunkie is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2004, 11:52 pm
  #5  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: PDX
Programs: On a collision course with Kettledom
Posts: 25,550
I've always had them off on every airline for at least the last 6 years or so (when the 10,000 foot rule was first introduced).
opus17 is offline  
Old Nov 25, 2004, 11:55 pm
  #6  
Original Member
 
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Los Angeles, CA - Nearly 4 Million Actual Miles Flown
Posts: 5,522
I always turn my QC2's off when I turn my laptop off. But this is true. I heard this announced last week and then saw a DL FA ask a man to turn them off on a JFK-CVG flight. When he said "Why?, she responded with the fact it might interfere. It's too bad. But frankly, I find it interesting it took this long to make it a matter of policy. Although one could argue it has always been a part of policy since they have always said "All electronic items".
jeffreyt is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2004, 3:07 am
  #7  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: dfw
Programs: AA EXP/MM, HGP ♦; former elite in Hilton, Marriott & DL (just under MM thanks to Leo)
Posts: 415
Originally Posted by jeffreyt
I always turn my QC2's off... one could argue it has always been a part of policy since they have always said "All electronic items".
me too! But I never heard any annoucements regarding them. Hmmm, well atleast I have had some peace and quiet turning off my hearing aides below 10000 feet. Huh? Able to lift a 30lb person through the exit row? Yeah no problem Missy!
traveling_again is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2004, 8:26 am
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AIR: NONE, Hotel: Marriott PL, Hilton HHonors CC: Amex PLAT
Posts: 947
Soon you'll be turning off your headphones and everyone will still be using their cellphones. It's only a matter of time before they let passengers use them in flight.
yknot is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2004, 9:04 am
  #9  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: DL FO, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 12,003
Originally Posted by RunawayNFly
This is a new FAA (not Delta) regulation which went into effect on 11/15/04. FA on two different flights last week said that it was due to a person's inability to follow directions and hear announcements in case of an emergency.
The explanation that the FA gave us was the interference of electronic equipment, not the inability to hear announcements. Which one is correct?
RSSrsvp is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2004, 10:10 am
  #10  
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,906
Originally Posted by yknot
Soon you'll be turning off your headphones and everyone will still be using their cellphones. It's only a matter of time before they let passengers use them in flight.
Most standard cellphones will read "No Service" at altitude.
RobertS975 is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2004, 10:16 am
  #11  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
Originally Posted by RobertS975
Most standard cellphones will read "No Service" at altitude.
They are working on that.
indufan is online now  
Old Nov 26, 2004, 12:18 pm
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SDF
Programs: DL DM (1.1MM), MR TEL, HH DL, Avis P+ National Ex+, blah blah blah
Posts: 1,033
Post

Originally Posted by RobertS975
Originally Posted by RobertS975
Most standard cellphones will read "No Service" at altitude.
Originally Posted by indufan
They are working on that.
Yes they are! See these links:


http://zdnet.com.com/2100-11-501431.html?legacy=zdnn


http://www.newstarget.com/002024.html

Though, I believe this will be unfortunate. It's hard enough to get some people to be quiet for a couple of hours.
javajunkie is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2004, 12:28 pm
  #13  
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Daytona Beach
Posts: 586
Shure e2c or e3c. small, sound isolating, non-powered headphones. Work just as good as noise cancelling w/o using any power. Smaller than those DJ style Bose which make you look like your doing a radio show.
ComAirKid is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2004, 12:42 pm
  #14  
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Shanwick
Posts: 3,117
Originally Posted by RobertS975
Most standard cellphones will read "No Service" at altitude.
Not if they can access a node on the aircraft itself which in turn relays the signal. Another solution is to equip the aircraft with handsets in the seats which can take GSM style SIMs. Personally, I think the mini-SIM is too much hassle for people to remove and replace and hardly anybody uses the full size card anymore, so flying cell nodes is the way to go. Personally I'd like to see the technology only approved where the handsets have been verified in terms of their power reduction capabilities. What we do about quitening down the loudmouths is yet another problem. Why do some people think they need to shout into their phone?

Last edited by CelticFlyer; Nov 26, 2004 at 12:45 pm
CelticFlyer is offline  
Old Nov 26, 2004, 2:39 pm
  #15  
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Southern California
Programs: DL: 3.8 MM, Marriott: Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 24,575
Originally Posted by RunawayNFly
FA on two different flights last week said that it was due to a person's inability to follow directions and hear announcements in case of an emergency.
Most every inflight emergency I can envision would hardly be subtle.
I'm guessing that, if an inflight emergency developed, the plane was pitching around and people were hollering and screaming, I would automatically remove my headphones just to see what was up. And I don't think most people would remain zoned out and blissfully relaxed with their headphones on in the event of an actual emergency.
So this requirement seems a little nonsensical unless I'm missing something.
Cholula is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.