Electronic equipment - what's the risk?

[C8PPO]

Probably been asked and done to death before, but....can someone who is either an airline captain, or an aircraft tech, explain categorically whether, and to what extent, there is any risk associated with the usage of electronic equipment in general, and then mobile phones, during taxi, takeoff and landing please.

The reason for my request? I'm a reasonably frequent flyer (usually at least 2 return trips a month) and there is ALWAYS someone who cannot/will not follow the rules around this. Recently I've started challenging people seated around me, and yesterday's exchange got a little heated (I won't bore you with the details). But my thoughts are, *IF* there is a risk, I don't want to be 300ft off the deck and wondering why I didn't say anything to the twunt next to me still using his phone, as we plummet back to earth. OTOH, if there's no risk, I'll learn to live with the fact that we are always going to be surrounded by twunts, and avoid the potential for air rage charges being brought.

Thanks in advance.

On a related note, something I HADN'T seen before yesterday. Landed at LHR, flying BA, and whilst we're still taxiing, 3 people seated towards the rear got up, got their bags and made their way to the front door! The cabin crew member at the front, who clearly spends more time in the Admiral Duncan than crewing aircraft, wasn't able to summon up any greater reproach than a general flapping of his arms and a bit of a splutter. I'm used to people being out of their seats and emptying the lockers when the seatbelt sign is still on but this was a leap forward from that behaviour!

[C8PPO]

To be very clear - I always follow the rules to the letter. My question is, is it worth making a fuss over with a fellow passenger who you've got to sit next to for x hours, or is it some sort of hype which isn't really a risk?

[C8PPO]

eccles said:

C8PPO said:

Probably been asked and done to death before, but....can someone who is either an airline captain, or an aircraft tech, explain categorically whether, and to what extent, there is any risk associated with the usage of electronic equipment in general, and then mobile phones, during taxi, takeoff and landing please.

The reason for my request? I'm a reasonably frequent flyer (usually at least 2 return trips a month) and there is ALWAYS someone who cannot/will not follow the rules around this. Recently I've started challenging people seated around me, and yesterday's exchange got a little heated (I won't bore you with the details). But my thoughts are, *IF* there is a risk, I don't want to be 300ft off the deck and wondering why I didn't say anything to the twunt next to me still using his phone, as we plummet back to earth. OTOH, if there's no risk, I'll learn to live with the fact that we are always going to be surrounded by twunts, and avoid the potential for air rage charges being brought.

Thanks in advance.

Perhaps their phone was in flight mode?

The one a couple of weeks ago wasn't - but even if they were, the announcements say "ALL electronic equipment to be switched off when the engines are running and the seatbelt signs are illuminated", i.e. in practice, taxi, takeoff and landing, as my OP stated.