question about cell phones on planes

[Sandi]

I always turn mine off. In February, I was on a Delta flight where a woman left her phone in her bag which was stowed in the compartment above her seat. It rang shortly after take off -- before the pilot turned off the seat belt light. The flight attendants were on it in a second and were none too pleased. The phone's owner was very embarrassed and I'm sure she'll not forget again. The FAs tell everyone how many times to turn the phones off? It applies to everyone!

Yesterday I was on another Delta flight that got stuck out on the runway for awhile. The pilot was great about saying "go ahead and use your cell phones, I'll let you know when we need them off again." I think we can all live with that.

 

[DISUNC]

If cell phones were such a serious threat on Airplanes, do you think they would allow them on in the first place? We all know how dangerous BIC lighters are.

Lets face it, a terrorist will only need to make a phone call & kapooey its over.
On 9/11 cell phones were used on planes as the last communication. Has anyone ever suggested the Cell phones caused problems over PA?

Actually the cell phones cause absolute NO disturbance on airplanes at all. The real problem is that the cell phone companies dont make a dime on cell phone calls in the Airplane. Once above the clouds, the Cell Transmitting stations can't keep track of who to charge (this is a very simplified explanation). Therefore you can make all the calls you want for FREE!

The reason some flight personel get disturbed by this is because RULES are RULES! However I do know flight attendants that use Cell Phones in the rest rooms!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I always figure better safe than sorry. My phone is shut off on the plane and in the hospital.

 

[pezpam]

Found it....

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06060/662669.stm

 

[Pinnie]

Found it....

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06060/662669.stm

Thanks for that link! I knew there was a reason my ACT friend turns his OFF when told to!

pinnie

 

[delilah]

I have accidentally left my cell phone (and pager) on while on flights. This is generally when I have been on call the night before leaving. We go "off call" when the office opens in the morning (8:15), and the physician for the next day takes over. I have forgotten to call and inform the hospital operator that I am getting onto a plane, and so, the next doctor needs to take over call early. Once, I actually made that particularly call as the plane was pulling away from the gate and we were being told that we needed to turn off our cell phones. That time, the phone and pager got turned off as soon as I got off the phone.

 

[jncvh]

I will give you the pilot perspective on cell phones. In the cockpit a pilot monitors 3 to 4 radio frequencys at a time and they are not even near the same frequency as cell phones so there is'nt a chance of contamination. Most cell phones use digital technology so there is no interference. An aircraft naviagation system is also broadcasted through radio frequency. The system is called the ILS or instrument landing system. It is made up of a VHF omnidirectional radar or distance measuring equiptment, glidepath indicator which brings you down the threshold of the runway, and the localizer which allows you to line up with runway. With so many cell phones out there there is an unmeasurable chance that there could be a cross frequency mix up that could interfere with the navigation equiptment. It wouldn't damage the equiptment but could broadcast false signals. I feel that the biggest concern now a days is more of the distruption that cell talkers create when talking on the cell phone. You ever notice that when the Captain says that electronics can be used there are always people jumping on the cell phones to make calls, would you want someone next to you for 2 hours yapping in a phone. There is more chance of passenger disputes. No, I don't believe that cell phones would create a problem but it hasn't been proven yet. So for now I will keep my cell phone off when flying the plane.