Long flights and in flight entertainment?

[sam_gordon]

"Mobile Device Storage with Built-In Wi-Fi Streaming" is not in the list of Approved Portable Electronic Devices.

But is it on the 'banned' list?

The list of Electronic Devices that are NOT Permitted for Use includes "Wireless devices (keyboards, mouse, etc.)." The Seagate Wireless Plus could be considered a wireless device, although it's a WiFi device, not a BlueTooth device.

Also, radio transmitters are prohibited. Technically, a WiFi transmitter is a radio transmitter, but probably not in the sense of the list of prohibited devices (CD radio, Ham radio, etc.), where such prohibited devices transmit signals for a long distance.

My Google searches did not turn up any recent pages banning devices that establish in-flight WiFi networks. Also, laptops can be configured to serve as WiFi hotspots, and there doesn't seem to be any concern about this.

And that's where I am on this. I don't see this hard drive as functioning any differently than a laptop, tablet, or cell phone. If I use it and an FA asks me to shut it off, I might ask how it's different than other devices, but I won't raise a stink and would turn it off.

GoGo Internet pricing is for Internet access (web, email, but Skype or streaming services). $14 per day buys 24-hour access across multiple GoGo-equipped airlines. There are cheaper plans, such as for a single flight or even a single hour on a single airline.

For pay-per-view TV programs and movies, it is not necessary to buy Internet access. Also, a few websites are available without buying Internet access, such as AA.com while flying on American Airlines.

Regarding the bolded, thanks. I didn't know that.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Airline passengers are allowed to use approved Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs), but WiFi network routers (transmitters) are not on the approved list...

The device you are referring to is not a wi-fi router. There is no problem using one of these wi-fi drives on a plane; I have one and have used it many times during flights.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The device you are referring to is not a wi-fi router. There is no problem using one of these wi-fi drives on a plane; I have one and have used it many times during flights.

You replied to post 18 of this thread. Please note that I provided far more details in post 20, including my comment that the device is not router, but, like a router, is a transmitter that creates its own Wi-Fi network.

I do not doubt that people use such devices in flight -- safely. If such devices were known to interfere with aircraft avionics, they would get far more attention.

I stand by my remarks that such devices are not "approved personal electronic devices" (they don't show up on published lists) and could be considered both a radio transmitter (prohibited) and a wireless device (prohibited). I would welcome a link to an airline website or FAA directive officially approving the use of storage devices that create Wi-Fi networks.

 

[sam_gordon]

I stand by my remarks that such devices are not "approved personal electronic devices" (they don't show up on published lists) and could be considered both a radio transmitter (prohibited) and a wireless device (prohibited). I would welcome a link to an airline website or FAA directive officially approving the use of storage devices that create Wi-Fi networks.

But I doubt you can point to a link officially BANNING said devices. As you pointed out, laptops/phones can be used as mobile hotspots. The laptops have storage. Laptops are allowed for use, therefore the portable hard drive should be allowed also.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

But I doubt you can point to a link officially BANNING said devices. As you pointed out, laptops/phones can be used as mobile hotspots. The laptops have storage. Laptops are allowed for use, therefore the portable hard drive should be allowed also.

A flight attendant on the PA system on American Airlines flights announces, "You can find a list of approved devices in the back of American Way magazine."

The flight attendant does not announce, "You can find a list of banned devices in the back of American Way magazine. If you don't see a device listed as banned, feel free to fire it up at your airplane seat!"

Yes, I cannot find anything specifically banning the inflight use of storage devices that create Wi-Fi networks. As already noted, I can find that radio transmitters and wireless devices are banned -- and it can be argued that such storage devices are both. Although it can easily also be argued that the ban on radio transmitters is meant to apply to higher power transmitters only, it's harder to claim that a wireless storage device is not a wireless device.

I think storage devices that create Wi-Fi networks are ignored because they're not an issue. They're uncommon on airplanes compared to such things as iPads. And they should not cause any interference on an aircraft that's equipped with a Wi-Fi system and thus presumably has its avionics properly shielded.

But that doesn't make them officially approved devices.

 

[sam_gordon]

A flight attendant on the PA system on American Airlines flights announces, "You can find a list of approved devices in the back of American Way magazine."

The flight attendant does not announce, "You can find a list of banned devices in the back of American Way magazine. If you don't see a device listed as banned, feel free to fire it up at your airplane seat!"

Yes, I cannot find anything specifically banning the inflight use of storage devices that create Wi-Fi networks. As already noted, I can find that radio transmitters and wireless devices are banned -- and it can be argued that such storage devices are both. Although it can easily also be argued that the ban on radio transmitters is meant to apply to higher power transmitters only, it's harder to claim that a wireless storage device is not a wireless device.

I think storage devices that create Wi-Fi networks are ignored because they're not an issue. They're fairly new and fairly uncommon compared to such things as iPads. And they should not cause any interference on an aircraft that's equipped with a Wi-Fi system and thus presumably has its avionics properly shielded.

But that doesn't make them officially approved devices.

I think this is a prime example of "it's better to ask forgiveness than permission" .

 

[maxiesmom]

I think this is a prime example of "it's better to ask forgiveness than permission" .

I don't know the last time I flew (in December) the FAs were pretty vocal about people who were being naughty and using their cell phones. I don't think I would want to be the one to be being scolded for trying to get around the rules.

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't know the last time I flew (in December) the FAs were pretty vocal about people who were being naughty and using their cell phones. I don't think I would want to be the one to be being scolded for trying to get around the rules.

I don't think I'd mind. Keep in mind, this is a hard drive that you could probably even leave in your backpack under the seat (once you make sure it's turned on). It wouldn't be a cell phone that they see you holding to your ear.

FWIW, I regularly put my GPS on the window and use it. It's not listed as an "approved" device in Delta's magazine, and FA have seen me use it. I'm guessing their first step would be "Sir, please turn that off." They're not going to scold anyone (at first at least).

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I don't know the last time I flew (in December) the FAs were pretty vocal about people who were being naughty and using their cell phones. I don't think I would want to be the one to be being scolded for trying to get around the rules.

Cell phone use, except while on the ground, is strictly prohibited by all U.S. domestic airlines. Cell phones have a much stronger radio signal than WiFi or BlueTooth devices. There other issues too (primarily the strain on cell infrastructure when a plane is flying over a nationwide string of cells at 550 mph). Plus the airplane cabin is now one of the few places to get away from people loudly having inane conversations on cell phones.

I agree with sam_gordon that there's no reason to expect to be admonished for using a small wireless storage device that uses WiFi to connect to a laptop, tablet, or smartphone in airplane mode. It's unlikely even to be noticed, and, as sam_gordon pointed out, it essentially uses a small subset of the technology commonly found on laptop computers.

Actually, I've agreed with sam_gordon on just about everything in this thread, except about whether such a storage device is officially an "approved device."

I don't think I'd mind. Keep in mind, this is a hard drive that you could probably even leave in your backpack under the seat (once you make sure it's turned on). It wouldn't be a cell phone that they see you holding to your ear.

FWIW, I regularly put my GPS on the window and use it. It's not listed as an "approved" device in Delta's magazine, and FA have seen me use it. I'm guessing their first step would be "Sir, please turn that off." They're not going to scold anyone (at first at least).

Delta Air Lines officially allows GPS devices: http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=18&item=176

It must be hard for a flight attendant to know when a passenger with an iPhone and headset is or isn't using it in airplane mode, unless the passenger is clearly having a phone conversation.

 

[sam_gordon]

Actually, I've agreed with sam_gordon on just about everything in this thread, except about whether such a storage device is officially an "approved device."

I actually think we've agreed on everything. I'll agree it's not OFFICIALLY an "approved device". I just think no one's going to say anything.

 

[Lewisc]

But I doubt you can point to a link officially BANNING said devices. As you pointed out, laptops/phones can be used as mobile hotspots. The laptops have storage. Laptops are allowed for use, therefore the portable hard drive should be allowed also.

You kind of have it backwards. We're told what devices are approved. A pp already suggested the device in question could be considered a wireless device. Chances are the device will be turned on before you board and will be either in a roller bag in the overhead bin or in a personal bag under the seat in front of you.

I'm not familiar with the device. If possible I'd disable SSID broadcast. I don't know what channels are used for internet on the plane. Makes sense not to use the same channel as is used by the plane's. You don't want other passengers asking a FA how to access the alternate internet/entertainment offerings. Anything which leads people to (wrongly) think your hard drive server is responsible for poor wifi on the plane is asking for trouble.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I actually think we've agreed on everything. I'll agree it's not OFFICIALLY an "approved device". I just think no one's going to say anything.

Good point. Neither one of said that a wireless storage device is officially an "approved device."

This discussion has taken this thread off-topic, but it raises an interesting point.

A passenger should not feel empowered to decide what is and is not an "approved device." But airlines need to keep up with changes to technology. Right now, passengers are doing the former because airlines aren't always doing the latter.

A wireless storage device can be genuinely useful to business travelers and leisure travelers. It will probably become more common in the future because it offers several advantages over USB-attached drives, including the ability to share resources.

There doesn't seem be any reason a wireless storage device should not be approved. But if there is a reason, it should be listed as a prohibited device under a category that make the reason understandable to passengers who would have wanted to use it.

I can see that airlines and companies like GoGo Internet would want to prevent multiple devices from sharing the same paid Internet connection -- not due to any sort of interference with avionics, but simply for business reasons. Such Internet sharing can already be done with regular laptop computers. It's not a feature of wireless storage devices at this time, but it could be if new models also serve as wireless routers.