(...
re-reading the thread title... can it sound
any more innocent?)
I've just got a quick question about using phones in-flight, from the Cabin Crew perspective. I've got a slight argument going on, and this specific case is the Sony Ericsson W800i. It's a Walkman Phone with a "Music Only" mode, which disables the radio (phone) part of the phone. When in Music Only mode, it has a big red X above the antenna indication to display that phone function is switched off.
Much in the same way as phone-capable PDAs that you can use during the flight in "Flight Mode", the idea of this Music Only mode is to be able to use it in-flight or other surroundings that you are not allowed to use phones.
So my question: If you didn't know beforehand about this feature of the W800i and someone tried to explain to you on a flight why they think it's appropriate to use this particular phone to listen to music inflight, are you likely to say yes or no?
PS. The BA Website states:
Portable telephones or any other device that transmits data must remain switched-off whilst the aircraft is in flight.
However, there are some exceptions:
Devices which have a specific "flight mode" or "flight safe" setting, e.g. some Smartphones and newer Blackberry devices, may be used in flight provided the flight safe mode is selected. These devices must be completely switched off during take-off, approach and landing.
so I'm assuming the Walkman Phone would theoretically qualify in this category.