Originally Posted by
macoz
I don't think (but I might be incorrect) that the issue hinges on justification of which electronics will interfere with flight operations. I think the issue is someone disregarding the rule/regulation prohibiting passengers from using these devices during specific periods in flight.
It would be similar to a guy getting a speeding ticket at 95 mph, then claiming that because he is in a McLaren, the rule should not apply since the McLaren clearly has better handling characteristics and so at 95 he is as safe or safer then the driver in the Taurus SHO driving 65...be it a true fact or not.
Oh i completely agree with you.
However at the time AMPS (the old analogue system that was recently turned down) and D-AMPS/TDMA pumped out a whole lot more power, and could interfere with the avionics. Newer phones (aside from some GSM handsets) don't have this issue (or could its just never been proven)
So just keep them off.
On a side note i was on a CO flight and the pilot threatened to return to the gate unless someone who was using their blackberry put it away. They did and away we went to have our delay on the runway.