Mobile phones on planes

[yourwelcome]

Ever noticed on internal flights in the states how common it is to see people use mobiles right up until take off. Just shows that it is only a precautionary measure in the uk and europe.

Anyone else noticed this?

Brian

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Well I've used my mobile phone when I've just got on the plane at Gatwick to speak to Paul to let him know I'm just about to take off and I've never been told off for it. Also when I get to the US and the seat belt light goes off I put my phone back on then to pick up messages.

 

[Hilary]

I'm interested in this thread because we'll be taking DH's mobile as his is the only one in the family that will work in the US. However, a couple of weeks ago the on/off button snapped off!

No problem at home as he just leaves it switched on, but I'm concerned about taking it on the plane. It is just about possible to turn it on/off using a pin and a bit of deft fiddling, but I'm wondering whether it is a complete "no no" to take it, or could he put in the hold luggage instead of hand luggage (or would that be even worse?)?

Any thoughts?

 

[yourwelcome]

Not sure on that one Hilary?

My guess is it still has to be turned off in flight.

Enjoy the fiddling!

Brian

 

[ALBA]

Hi,

On our recent flight a phone was ringing in a bag on and off for a total of 8 hrs. I was really surprised that the cabin crew didn't hear it. I also overheard someone standing at baggage reclaim who'd left their phone on during the flight saying "I guess the fact they tell you to turn it off is a load of rubbish, I caused no harm!"

The advice is still that you are not allowed to have your mobile phone switched on at any time during the flight. This advice came straight from my husband who is an Air Traffic Controller.

He recently had a flight where someone on board left their mobile on and it was interfering with the aircraft navigation systems.
This resulted in the aircraft circling until they sorted it out...ie the offending mobile phone turned off. Bet the passengers were happy with that

Alba

 

[mandysev]

On a flight at christmas from Heathrow to Malaga ( and on the return) with Iberia, mobiles could be used on the aircraft up until the outside doors were shut. They could be used again as soon as the outside doors were opened on landing. I can only think that their use is banned on transatlantic flights.

 

[Mike Jones]

We flew USAirways last year, and they tell you that you may use mobiles while the plane is sttionary before take-ioff, and as soon as it is off the main runway, ie on a taxiway, after landing.

 

[Peebee]

Originally posted by Hilary
I'm interested in this thread because we'll be taking DH's mobile as his is the only one in the family that will work in the US. However, a couple of weeks ago the on/off button snapped off!

No problem at home as he just leaves it switched on, but I'm concerned about taking it on the plane. It is just about possible to turn it on/off using a pin and a bit of deft fiddling, but I'm wondering whether it is a complete "no no" to take it, or could he put in the hold luggage instead of hand luggage (or would that be even worse?)?

Any thoughts?

Can you not just take the battery out of the phone to turn it off Hilary, then put it back in at the other end?

Paul

 

[Hilary]

Paul, that's a brilliant idea! Thanks

DH had suggested taking out the SIM card but I don't know whether that would achieve the same thing (and I didn't fancy having the SIM lying around picking up bits of fluff in DH's pocket for the duration of the trip ).

Just shows what a bit of lateral thinking can do

 

[Mike Jones]

Originally posted by Peebee
Can you not just take the battery out of the phone to turn it off Hilary, then put it back in at the other end?

Paul

...this wouldn't work with a lot (most?) mobiles, as taking the battery out, then re-inserting, requires a fresh push on the main switch to re-activate. Just tried on 3 different Nokias in our house, and all required the switch to be used. Try it.

Mike

 

[Peebee]

Fair point Mike - that'll teach me to be clever

I guess the answer is take the battery out on the plane Hilary, then pack a pin in your suitcase (not hand luggage of course) and use that in Orlando to try and turn the phone back on.

Paul

 

[Hilary]

Good point, Mike - I was so bowled over by Paul's cunningly simple plan I hadn't thought any further than that.

In fact, DH has just been playing with the switch-less mobile and
a) can't get the battery out
b) nearly couldn't get the pin to switch it on again
and finally
c) has now managed to lose all screen detail The screen is illuminated, but there's just the very faintest hint of anything on the screen - certainly not readable.

He's fully confident that his friend in the IT department will be able to sort it out for him before we leave on Tuesday! Do I sound slightly less confident?

 

[Mike Jones]

Hilary - the phone's terminal... give it a decent burial! Buy a compatible network 'pay as you go' and swap the sim card over! ( or check that your existing one isn't insured - it could be if it's a contract one?)

 

[Hilary]

Mike - the trouble is it's a contract one through work and he can't have a 'free' replacement for another 9 months. They don't have an insurance plan.

We do still have his 'old' phone, and could easily switch over the SIM card to use here, but the new phone is the first one we've had that would actually work in the US, so we were looking forward to taking it with us!

If all else fails, we've managed all these years without taking a mobile and relying on using a phone card, so I'm sure we'll manage this time, too.

 

[ALBA]

Hi Hilary,

I agree, the phone needs a burial

Just to further clarify the various questions regarding mobile usage during all flights, here's the official word from the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) in the UK.

The CAA has conducted research which provided evidence that a mobile phone transmission on-board an aircraft may interfere with equipment including communications, navigation and flight control systems. There is circumstantial evidence that portable electronic devices such as CD players and computer games can also cause interference. As a result there is a requirement that:

The use of mobile phones on board aircraft is prohibited while the aircraft's engines are running.

In addition, the use of personal electronic equipment by passengers, such as laptop computers, electronic games, calculators, CD players, cassette players, radios, TVs, video cameras and remote controlled toys, is prohibited during take-off and landing phases, when the passenger seat belt sign is on, and whenever the aircraft commander suspects that their use may be the cause of interference.

Alba

 

[Goofyish]

I take the view that the if the airline says that having a mobile phone on can (however slight the risk) cause a malfunction or interference with the planes avionics then I will not take the risk and keep my mobile off.

 

[Mike Jones]

Good point Tim... at the end of the day, if the aircraft systems get messed up, what does personal freedom matter if you are (use imagination and insert least favourite horror scenario here)...

Mike