As these are Noise-Cancelling headphone, I would just pretend I don't hear the noise from the FA On a serious note the whole on-off switch thing is overkill, I wish the FAA would conduct a study and truly determine what type of consumer electronic devices truly interfere with flight electronics.

On a related note, in the middle of a flight on Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Istanbul two years ago, a flight attendent approached me and, in flawless English (my last name is unquestionably of English descent), demanded that I turn off my CD player immediately because it would interfere with the cockpit. Her glaring stare alone was inappropriate, let alone the manner in which she made her request (in an indginant "you stupid American" type of way). This was the first time I had not been allowed to listen to a CD player in-flight, so I asked her (in flawless German I might add) whether she thought it was truly capable of bringing down the brand new A320 we were on. While I of course complied with her instructions, her attitude for the remainder of the flight was a little more cordial then before.

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

AFAIK, there is NO evidence, other than ancient anecdotal evidence, that any common electronic device, including cell phones, causes a problem of any kind on a commercial aircraft.

What is it most non-transmitting electronic devices could do that most any wristwatch couldn't? They both contain oscillators, supposedly the problem part. And even cell phones which are transmitting have never caused an accident that I have heard of.

Anyone got any evidence to the contrary?

I've only been instructed once to turn them off. However, they are electronic devices unlike the self-powered versions that are used in international F or C (huh? they are the same thing, except the airline versions get power from the plane, vs the standalones, which are powered by 2 AAA batteries). I agree that they probably won't interfere with anything, but neither will a game boy or small electronic bowling game or similar things, and you have to turn them off also.

-David

Several times I've been instructed to take off the free headsets prior to landing as the FAs were coming down the aisle collecting them.

As a channel-9 junkie, I don't like this much, but I've never argued and always resolved it by pulling my own personal (non-fancy, non-NC) headphones out of my carry on. Nobody has ever told me to take those off.

I don't think that I have yet been on a flight where they haven't said that the use of CD players is forbidden. It is certainly indicated clearly in the inflights mags also.

Kokonutz,(10-21-03 @11.12 am)
The funniest post in months!! I couldn't stop laughing .
you rock!! Happy flying,Tattikat2.

My understanding is that the cell phone ban isn't due to concerns it'll mess with the plane, but rather that it'll mess with the cell systems. When you're on the ground, your phone is only able to "see" a few towers, but up in the air, it can "see" many towers and I've been told that can cause problems with cell switching. I've heard that it's a regulation that came from the FCC, not the FAA.

But that's just what I was told, not sure on the accuracy of it.

That's because phones are licensed for (and the cell-systems are designed for) land-based use, not air-based use.

It happens more on Express flights, and far more on CO than UA (since they have fewer aircraft equipped with music, I think). I've been lectured about the necessity of hearing announcements in an emergency. Other times they are looking for ways to be fussy and to assert their utter transcendance in their lofty domain.

I'm always prepared now. I turn the red light so it can't be seen and set the plug-in jack on my knee where it can obviously be seen as something that is disconnected. This is important, because once they swoop in to arrest you for having your CD player on, they won't easily concede that they wrongfully thought you were listening to music. Then they'll make up FAA regulations on the spot, declaring that you have to have your ears uncovered and all devices of any sort turned off. (What about hearing aids and other items such as that?!)

This is really the issue, which is why I cannot stand being told this kind of nonsense. Few things enrage me more. While going through graduate school long ago, I was a flight attendant. I think that's why nothing burns me more than to be told to do something by a flight attendant when I know that they are deriving their life's meaning from bossing passengers around. I wish I could laugh, but it burns me up.