Ari

coachrowsey

A BIG +1

LuvsParis

My iPhone has an airplane mode which, I am told, is allowed on airplanes. I have my phone in that mode from the time we get to the boarding area. THere are lots and lots of things I can still do/play on my iPhone when it is in airplane safe mode.

FA's have occasionally asked me if I'm in airplane mode, but so far none has asked me to show them the settings. There's a little icon that turns off (no more 3G) - it's pretty easy to see whether the phone has become a simple gaming device. I like the games having to do with geography and flags.

It eases anxiety during take-off to have something to do.

What's the big deal and why would you think that someone doesn't know how to use their iPhone? It's one of the more obvious features of the phone.

Or are there still rules banning having anything in your lap during takeoff?

If it's so dangerous to have phones on, you'd think they'd invent a sensor that the FA's could use to detect errant turned-on phones.

themicah

I believe there's an FAA rule (or perhaps just a widely-practiced airline rule) that all electronic devices must be switched off and stowed for takeoff and landing. So while you can use your iPhone in airplane mode at cruising altitude, most airlines officially won't let you use it (or your Walkman, Gameboy or Atari Lynx for that matter) from when the door closes for pushback until the plane climbs above 10,000 feet. Most of us think it's a stupid rule, but it is a rule.

FriendlySkies

And....Most of us just ignore it

Ari

Correct.

I ignore it when it comes to my Bose; that's why I always like to sit on the right side of the aisle. I turn everything else off for takeoff.

I believe the vast majority of the flying public obeys the rule; FT'ers are exceptions to a lot of generalities about the flying public.

SAT Lawyer

Just let it go. It's not going to bring the plane down.

hoops7k

I wouldn't say anything I would just let it go.

I wish other airlines would step up like southwest and say they are OK. I don't follow it. I am one of those right side of the plane people too.

Spiff

Whoooooooo cares??

clrankin

The most appropriate things to do, in order:
1. Pee your pants
2. Change your name to "Little Johnny"



But, seriously, I agree with most of the other posters here; ignore it. There is no threat created by it. Heck, a few even have the gull to put our kept-on phones up to the window and video record the taxi and take-off if we can get away with it...

magiciansampras

Some people just think the rules don't apply to them.

clrankin

Or, to put it another way, some people have the intelligence to ignore stupid made-up rules when breaking them carries no consequence.

Ari

Better description.

Spiff

And some people seem to think it's their job to enforce or assist with the enforcement of the rules. Maybe they can hang out on the freeway, observing and ratting out speeders and other transgressors?

magiciansampras

Kind of like diatribes on how TSA breaks the rules?

That's really irrelevant, isn't it? The airline has a rule. Some people think that the rule, because they deem it "silly," does not apply to them. Other people respect the conditions the airline places on your behavior when you're in their aircraft.