Using Palm VII inflight
 

Curious to know people's experiences in using the Palm VII inflight. Yesterday I travelled from LAX to ORD and was able to successfully use my Palm VII to check some AA flights, send email and check weather in a city.

Thoughts?

From what I understand you are not supposed to use Palms in-flight but they may have changed this rule.

[This message has been edited by SaladBowl (edited 05-31-2000).]

SaladBowl is correct. Receiver/transmitters may not be used at any time during flight.

Yes, you're correct. I *know* we're *probably* not supposed to use it in transit. But it's interesting that it works, particularly if you need to catch another flight and you're concerned about delays, etc.

The reason they ban them is that they might interfere with the plane's navigational systems and communications. You might end up in the wrong city because you used the Palm and will really need to check flight schedules if they are correct. Personally I think they have gone overboard on what they ban, but I'm not an electronics expert.

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Why would someone risk the safety of a flight, no matter how remote of a chance?

ChicagoMark, I was on a flt not to long ago and someone was on his cell phone in flight the FA told him to put it up and turn it off a few minutes later the phone rang. He answered and talked for a couple on minutes. The FA stood beside the chair and took the phone from him when he finished talking. She carried it to the pilot and when we landed the FBI was there to take the phone and the passenger away.

Good for her and the airline. Safety first.

If the call is really that important, use the airphone. [Yes, I know what it costs, I've used it.]

Yes, Why would someone put the lives of other people on the flight at risk? There are a lot of rules that seem silly, but I'm not real fond of "pushing the limits" when safety is at risk!

I was once told that wireless service providers had a hand in the ban because in-flight calls (@500mph, altitude 35K) confuse the cell towers.

Has anyone ever heard that? Is it complete hogwash?

What about pagers? These may pose a similar problem!

meara,

That is probably one of the major reasons cell phones are banned in flight. A weak signal from 31,000 feet will hit dozens of sites at once, confusing and overloading the system's channels. Private pilots use cell phones regularly, driving providers nuts.