Originally Posted by cleared4departure
We all know the drill...turn ALL electronics off at the announcement, allowable electronics can be turned on past 10,000' AGL; turn back off at announcement.
I was flying HP from PHX-DEN last week in row 3 aisle seat. Platinum pax in 3A window waited until FA's were seated on taxi to runway, then whipped out her BB and started text-messaging throughout takeoff until she lost her signal. I felt like leaning over and advising "Are you aware of FAA regulations on electronic devices during flight"? but said nothing as wx was clear. If weather was bad I swear I would have said something.
My question primarily to airline employees...should I have ratted out this fellow passenger or was I ok by ignoring. I personally don't think electronic devices are that dangerous or the TSA/FAA would prohibit their posession.
Appreciate your thoughts and opinions, folks!!
I challenge ANYONE to show me how any consumer electronics gear of this sort, cell phones, 2 way pagers, etc. will interfere with ANY avionics. The AM communications can be disrupted by a receiver tuned to the channel they are on plus or minus the IF split, but this hogwash about a TV or radio interfering with the airplane's avionics is just that, utter nonsense.
There is a concern with cell phones in the air keying up a dozen cell sites, but the part that no one tells you is that cell antennas are pointed DOWN TOWARD THE GROUND (we call it "beam tilt") and over a certain altitude, there is just no signal unless you are right over a site. The person who brings up the fact that many folks forget about the cell phone being on until they find it on upon landing is exactly right.
In the unlikely event of an aborted takeoff, they don't want you goofing around with your consumer electronics. They want you ready to move, not trying to pack up your crap. My personal comment is always "If there is an aborted takeoff, I will do all the ecavuating ANY of us need RIGHT HERE IN THIS SEAT!!"
But, they're from the government, and they're here to help you.