Stupid Question, Flight Mode

[KellyNY]

So, can you have your phone on Flight Mode on a plane?
I know it sounds as you can and it makes me look like asking 3 PM Parade question, but really, can you?

 

[Robo]

So, can you have your phone on Flight Mode on a plane?

Yes.

That turns the "telephone section" off and just leaves the other audio/video/camera (etc.)
functions available for use.

 

[HWY20RIDE4MYSON]

Well at least the top headline for this post don't lie! Lol

 

[AvatarKorra]

So, can you have your phone on Flight Mode on a plane?
I know it sounds as you can and it makes me look like asking 3 PM Parade question, but really, can you?

You can. I fly several times a month and do this on all airlines.

 

[AvatarKorra]

Well at least the top headline for this post don't lie! Lol

That was not nice. What about your grammar?

 

[DebbieB]

So, can you have your phone on Flight Mode on a plane?
I know it sounds as you can and it makes me look like asking 3 PM Parade question, but really, can you?

Yes, you can have it in airplane mode. Airplane mode disables sending or receiving calls. On most airlines you will have to pay for a wifi connection (if available), 3G will not work. The phone has to be completely turned off during takeoff and landing.

 

[Nuli]

A friend and I flew on the same plane. She was forced to turn hers totally off during takeoff/landing, but I was allowed to keep watching my iPad.

So, I honestly don't know what the rules are.

 

[Robo]

A friend and I flew on the same plane. She was forced to turn hers totally off during takeoff/landing, but I was allowed to keep watching my iPad.

So, I honestly don't know what the rules are.

The "rules" are in somewhat of a state of flux these days.

Expect individual airlines, and even individual flights, to announce/enforce different rules.

 

[mesaboy2]

Airplane mode essentially turns the phone into a passive device, unable to transmit any kind of RF signal. These RF signals are what airlines and the FAA are twitchy about.

 

[KellyNY]

Thanks.

 

[jason10mm]

The only reason to enable "airplane mode" is because at altitude your phone will continue to try to connect to a cell tower (which are out of reach several miles below) and it drains your battery. There is no risk to the plane whether you enable it or not.

I'm surprised they allowed an ipad to be in use during take-off or landing. They even try to get me to turn off my e-ink kindle. Eventually they won't even let us read a book because of the static electricity generated by turning pages

 

[Tee it Up]

You are still required to turn the phone completely off during take off and landing. Once you are above 10,000 ft. you can turn it on in flight mode.

 

[Robo]

The only reason to enable "airplane mode" is because at altitude your phone will continue to try to connect to a cell tower (which are out of reach several miles below) and it drains your battery.


There is no risk to the plane whether you enable it or not.

I believe that to be true, as well, but the airlines (up to now, at least) have been reticent to allow cellular phones to be ON (capable of connecting to the cell network) during taxing and flying because of their RF interference potential.

 

[Jennasis]

In was told once by a FA that the reason they want you to turn of all devices during take off and landing is that they want you paying attention and ready for any instructions since most problems/emergencys happen during take off and landing. Whether that's really true? I dunno.

Mythbusters dispelled the myth that your plane being on and active as a PHONE will interfere in anyway with flight operations.

 

[jason10mm]

Sure, they require it, but why? Right next to the plane is a terminal FULL of active cell phones, there are active cell towers all around the airport, and the plane itself has all sorts of emitting transmitters and receivers. Of the THOUSANDS of people flying every day, what percentage REALLY turn off their electronic devices? Probably less than 50 percent, and that is being generous. Yet not a single aircraft crash or mishap has ever been linked to an onboard consumer electronic device (other than perhaps distracting the PILOT!).

Focusing attention on the stewardess is what this is about (which, quite frankly, was a LOT easier to do in the 80s when the standards were, ahem, more rigorous , not aircraft safety.

 

[Robo]

Sure, they require it, but why?

Why do they have signs at gas stations warning you not to use cell phones when pumping gas?

Silly.

 

[dzorn]

Why do they have signs at gas stations warning you not to use cell phones when pumping gas?

Silly.

Guess you have not see the gas fires started by cell phones.

Denise in MI

 

[kamik86]

Guess you have not see the gas fires started by cell phones.

Denise in MI

Have you? Because everything I have even seen on that says that is also a myth.

 

[stargazertechie]

Mythbusters dispelled the myth that your plane being on and active as a PHONE will interfere in anyway with flight operations.

I'd be terrified if a kindle or a phone (or let's go retro- a walkman cassette player) could actually screw with the plane.

Put another way- if a phone can take down an airplane, someone needs to go back to engineering school

 

[stargazertechie]

Guess you have not see the gas fires started by cell phones.

Denise in MI

I've never actually seen it, and Mythbusters covered that one as well.