Complain about a laptop user on descent?
Oct 31, 2009, 5:49 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2005
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I recently flew UA SFO-PDX in a exit row window seat. On descent to PDX the gentleman in the middle seat took out his cell phone and started making calls. I was going to ring for the FA, but figured it wouldn't do much good. The offending party was a dead heading UA FA in uniform. He continued to talk from about flight level 50 right up to the gate.
I was recently seated next to a DL pilot who was deadheading who used his crackberry well after the announcement to cease use. The FA was pretty persistent in getting others to turn them off but this pilot hid the device whenever the FA was looking. He continued for some time and eventually turned it off just as we approached the runway for takeoff. Certainly not setting a good example and makes you wonder if it really has any relation to safety.
Apparently everyone is equal - some are just more equal than others.
Apparently everyone is equal - some are just more equal than others.
Oct 31, 2009, 6:12 pm
#18
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I do. It's way overblown.
If the phone/device is in the far field (> 1m) from the aircraft systems in question, the power radiated by that device in the frequencies of operation by these systems is negligible.
The exception is devices like TVs and radios which operate in frequency ranges close to such systems' frequencies and may re-radiate enough power in the frequency spectra in question.
Still, I do not encourage others to not follow crew member instructions and I turn off my electronic devices when asked to.
If the phone/device is in the far field (> 1m) from the aircraft systems in question, the power radiated by that device in the frequencies of operation by these systems is negligible.
The exception is devices like TVs and radios which operate in frequency ranges close to such systems' frequencies and may re-radiate enough power in the frequency spectra in question.
Still, I do not encourage others to not follow crew member instructions and I turn off my electronic devices when asked to.
Oct 31, 2009, 6:17 pm
#19
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The guy seated next to me on a recent flight never turned off his blackberry after the door was closed. On the taxiway he pulled it out and started using it, I assume to check EMail or something. I made a comment and was just about ready to to press the FA call button when he turned it off. Some people just feel the rules don't apply to them. Whether we like it or not, when we make the decision to fly a commercial airline, we are agreeing to accept the rules that are in place.
Oct 31, 2009, 6:18 pm
#20
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Oct 31, 2009, 6:31 pm
#21
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That's why a pilot should set an example. He's saying you wait but I won't. If they want to allot a certain number of those that can use devices during takeoff or landing then those chosen should be paying customers ... not that I am suggesting an allotment.
Oct 31, 2009, 6:35 pm
#22
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On 4 TG sectors this month I discovered that they don't seem to care about people using laptops during takeoff/landing. BKK-SIN yesterday there was a guy watching videos on his Thinkpad during takeoff and landing, all that the crew asked him to do was put his tray table up.
The crew on each sector didn't seem particularly safety vigilant compared to other airlines.
The crew on each sector didn't seem particularly safety vigilant compared to other airlines.
Oct 31, 2009, 6:58 pm
#23
Join Date: Jun 2004
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All the rationalization by people who should know better but consider their own wants more important than anything else is beside the real point. I don't give a rat's posterior about radiation or interferance. I DO care about that laptop becoming a projectile in the event of wake turbulence during climbout or a hard landing. Put 'em away during those critical periods for the sake of everybody around you. Nobody really cares about the rest.
Oct 31, 2009, 7:11 pm
#24
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They also explained that before takeoff, the announcement is made prematurely, to give people an extra minute.
Cell phones wouldn't be allowed after landing but before the gate if they could do harm, so they can't do harm before takeoff on the runway/taxiway either.
I think the pilot was just using common airplane employee knowledge.
He should have followed the rules though.
Oct 31, 2009, 7:41 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2009
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My feelings exactly. Guess I was brought up to be a rules follower and I follow the rules.
Oct 31, 2009, 8:13 pm
#26
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I would bet at least a few phones are left on during every flight (accidentally or otherwise.) As has already been mentioned, if it were actually a potential hazard phones wouldn't be allowed in the cabin. That said, I really hope US carriers don't allow people to use them during flight.
Oct 31, 2009, 8:40 pm
#27
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 48
I'm one of those people who make you turn your various devices off on the aircraft...
Cell/mobile phones can interfere with systems onboard an aircraft, whether you believe it or not. Most likely it will be an annoying disruption in the headset the pilots use for the radio comms. On a flight I did a couple of years ago, the pilots lost radio comms with ATC for 5 seconds due to interference from phones. It wasn't a long time, but it could have been crucial.
A few years back, a well known scientist magasine wrote a very good article about cell/mobile phones and aircraft. I can't find the article on the web, but the main issue in the article was that up at altitude (35000ft etc), the phone won't be able to "latch on" to a satelite for long enough to get reception. The phone will therefore send out stronger and stronger signals to try to get reception. If you have 150 phones trying this, one can just imagine the interference on the radio comms onboard.
There are some who will question about airlines who allows use of phones onboard, and the answer to that is that they will have the "Onair" (or similar) system onboard. This is like a mini-satelite in the ceiling of the aircraft, allowing the phone to send very weak signals to enable it to receive reception.
Please bear in mind that not enough research has been done into the use of transmitting devices in-flight. Would you want to be on the flight it was tested on? Didn't think so.
What I'm trying to say here, is that the rules are there for a reason. Whether you agree with the reason or not, makes no difference at all. Whoever you are, you should adhere to the rules. Also, please bear in mind that the crew on your aircraft do not make the rules. They just have to make sure that passengers adhere to them. Please don't give them a hard time.
Sometimes I wonder how passengers survived in the 70's and 80's... I was busy looking at the crew and how they were working and looking at the view out the window.
Edited to add: If you leave your cell/mobile phone on during the flight, be prepared to have no battery left at the end of it. The stronger the signal the phone sends out, the more it drains the battery.
Cell/mobile phones can interfere with systems onboard an aircraft, whether you believe it or not. Most likely it will be an annoying disruption in the headset the pilots use for the radio comms. On a flight I did a couple of years ago, the pilots lost radio comms with ATC for 5 seconds due to interference from phones. It wasn't a long time, but it could have been crucial.
A few years back, a well known scientist magasine wrote a very good article about cell/mobile phones and aircraft. I can't find the article on the web, but the main issue in the article was that up at altitude (35000ft etc), the phone won't be able to "latch on" to a satelite for long enough to get reception. The phone will therefore send out stronger and stronger signals to try to get reception. If you have 150 phones trying this, one can just imagine the interference on the radio comms onboard.
There are some who will question about airlines who allows use of phones onboard, and the answer to that is that they will have the "Onair" (or similar) system onboard. This is like a mini-satelite in the ceiling of the aircraft, allowing the phone to send very weak signals to enable it to receive reception.
Please bear in mind that not enough research has been done into the use of transmitting devices in-flight. Would you want to be on the flight it was tested on? Didn't think so.
What I'm trying to say here, is that the rules are there for a reason. Whether you agree with the reason or not, makes no difference at all. Whoever you are, you should adhere to the rules. Also, please bear in mind that the crew on your aircraft do not make the rules. They just have to make sure that passengers adhere to them. Please don't give them a hard time.
Sometimes I wonder how passengers survived in the 70's and 80's... I was busy looking at the crew and how they were working and looking at the view out the window.
Edited to add: If you leave your cell/mobile phone on during the flight, be prepared to have no battery left at the end of it. The stronger the signal the phone sends out, the more it drains the battery.
Oct 31, 2009, 10:37 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
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Get your facts straight.
If cell phones really did anything to nav systems, then airports with approach paths over highways (such as some approaches at LaGuardia) would have problems with cell phones in all the cars below.
Having said that, I turn my cell phone off. It's the rules, so that passengers are not distracted (and are not holding projectiles) in case things go bad on takeoff and landing.
Oct 31, 2009, 10:48 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 121
On a recent flight, I saw a passenger take out their blackberry and start using just after takeoff. Then they put it away and didn't use it again - until we were descending toward the airport. I wasn't sure what to do - if the flight attendants would respond to the call button since they were belted into their seats. Next time I'll try the call button.
Oct 31, 2009, 10:53 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Atlanta/DC
Posts: 297
For a single guy, it sometimes pays to not complain and just go along.
She was very hot.
