Originally Posted by
micus
All this fuss about shutting down electronic equipments is a total .........
I don't even understand why they keep using these old and sterile rules. It doesn't change anything that i keep working on my blackberry while taxiing for 20 mins in CDG or LHR.... Oh yeah you gotta follow the rule... Stupid and useless rule.
As said someone earlier, at least all the american airlines allow you to switch on your mobile phone as soon as you're off the runaway. And it allows people to start answering emails and handle work urgencies during a period of wasted time. I would REALLY like to know a good reason why we couldn't start using them as soon as we're off the runaway.
Same thing for using an ipod or the IFE during takeoff and landing. Any good reason apart from this "so called" security reason ? On Virgin America, they switch on the IFE while at the gate, and you can start watching your movie even when people are still boarding, and they switch it off once you're connected with the jetway.
How do YOU know it doesn't change anything??
I've been on the flightdeck for landing, wearing headphones, so I can hear the pilots chatter, and also any chatter from ATC or the tower. After we had landed, the chatter from whoever it was (maybe tower) was interrupted by that noise I used to get when my mobile was placed next my old answering machine...funny irregular beeping. They missed the chatter, and had to ask them them to say again. I then heard the cabin crew make an ad-hoc PA asking all passengers to keep their phones off. .. An extra PA to the regular after-landing one.
I don't know about you, but I don't want any communications to the pilots interrupted.
Is it really that hard to hang on for a few minutes???