Pax not setting phone to flight mode. Major issue?
Sep 11, 2018, 3:49 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 10,761
On July 6, 2013 there was a passenger aboard Boeing 777 using mobile phone to record the landing, as the aircraft was approaching San Francisco on a regularly scheduled flight from Seoul, South Korea.
The aircraft crashed on final approach.
Coincidence?
Was usage of the personal electronic device approved for that phase of the flight?
The aircraft crashed on final approach.
Coincidence?
Was usage of the personal electronic device approved for that phase of the flight?
Sep 11, 2018, 4:01 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
I use my phone until I lose network. I'm a private pilot and the law says phones may not be operated during critical phases of flight, this doesn't exllivioday they must be off. When I fly myself I have my phone on the entire time and generally receive messages in the air though obviously don't check them.
Total overreaction
Total overreaction
Sep 11, 2018, 5:16 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,586
If that were consistently available in aircraft it would probably be the most effective means of getting people to turn of their cell phones!
Sep 11, 2018, 10:32 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hong Kong, London, Toronto, Bangkok
Programs: MPC, OneWorld, 1865 Voyager, Hyatt, Horizon Club
Posts: 149
No need to overreact, this happens more often than you think, and studies have proven they don't cause interference (modern cell phones)
Sep 12, 2018, 8:13 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Nevada Ohio Florida
Programs: WN A+, CP, HH Diamond, National EE
Posts: 44
In my opinion, the only reason to turn the phones to airplane mode or off is so passengers do not have phone conversations while in the air. Everyone is stuck in close quarters, and it could become extremely annoying to hear someone having a conversation, especially if they are not using their inside voice.
Sep 13, 2018, 1:01 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
I think you can be sure that if there was a serious risk then it would be policed a lot more than it is.
After all why would you allow hundreds of such highly dangerous devices on board, knowing that in pro ability dozens will not be on flight safe mode?
And in any case how many accidents have resulted?
I agree with skywardhunter, total overreaction and if someone challenged me I would likely be forthright in reply....
After all why would you allow hundreds of such highly dangerous devices on board, knowing that in pro ability dozens will not be on flight safe mode?
And in any case how many accidents have resulted?
I agree with skywardhunter, total overreaction and if someone challenged me I would likely be forthright in reply....
Sep 17, 2018, 4:46 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
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On that note, with LTE being a thing and it supposedly supporting operations inside high speed trains, I wonder why at least one major phone carrier hasn't thought of adding upward facing antennas on some of their towers for aircraft use. (Or maybe they have and figured out that it doesn't actually work well?) Though assuming it does work, they'd probably need to figure out a way to block voice use.
Sep 18, 2018, 2:17 am
#26
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
On that note, with LTE being a thing and it supposedly supporting operations inside high speed trains, I wonder why at least one major phone carrier hasn't thought of adding upward facing antennas on some of their towers for aircraft use. (Or maybe they have and figured out that it doesn't actually work well?) Though assuming it does work, they'd probably need to figure out a way to block voice use.
Voice calls are already possible onboard aircraft, EK notably have this option. Plus of course the much cheaper Whatsapp or other VoIP calls
Sep 18, 2018, 9:00 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
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Sep 22, 2018, 7:10 pm
#28
Used to be 'Scooter'
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: SAN
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 398
This. I occasionally forget, and it’s very likely that there are always a large number of people on any given flight that forget or simply don’t care. I know that I always have to remind my wife, otherwise she never does (and always arrives at he destination with a dead battery from the constant roaming).
Sep 23, 2018, 3:00 am
#29
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 53
I figure if it is really such a dangerous issue, you wouldn't be able to carry your phone onboard yourself. They'd probably have procedures where you'd have to put your phone in a separate safety box or something. I haven't heard about an accident related to phones either.
Sep 27, 2018, 4:07 am
#30
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 20
I figure if it is really such a dangerous issue, you wouldn't be able to carry your phone onboard yourself. They'd probably have procedures where you'd have to put your phone in a separate safety box or something. I haven't heard about an accident related to phones either.
Still, I do it because it’s clearly desirable.
