Do you turn off phone on a flight because you are told to?
Discussion
In discussion with a friend yesterday, this came up in discussion and I realised that it's something I give little thought to.
I turn mine off to conserve battery on occasions but am pretty numb to requests to turn off your phone. No idea why, I just am.
I'm wondering if I'm the exception. He said I was the only one he knows who was so reckless as to do this and I couldn't explain why I don't turn it off.
I turn mine off to conserve battery on occasions but am pretty numb to requests to turn off your phone. No idea why, I just am.
I'm wondering if I'm the exception. He said I was the only one he knows who was so reckless as to do this and I couldn't explain why I don't turn it off.
Pitre said:
Always goes off/flight mode.
It would be interesting to know whether it's still an issue, but I thought a large number of phones 'on' may interfere with the plane's communications systems...
+1 I have no idea whether the risk is real or theoretical but figure it's no bother. I suspect if anything it's older phones that might be an issue but they go with a blanket ban as that's simplest. It would be interesting to know whether it's still an issue, but I thought a large number of phones 'on' may interfere with the plane's communications systems...
I did once sit next to someone on a flight who spent all of take off sending messages and we didn't crash.
It's not really a thing any more, the interference. There isn't one documened case of it ever happening either. It started out of an abundance of caution. Old planes that might have been succeptible are no longer in service (with exceptions in far flung countries ). There are other concerns, the primary one being 100s of people swamping individual cell towers as they fly over them on take off and landing. That and the fact people need to concentrate in case of an emergency landing/take off incident.
I've left mine in a coat pocket overhead many times, to find it on when I've landed. Go on certain flights and everyone is texting and calling the moment the plane is low enough to to receive a signal. Crew used to enforce it tightly but I've not seen it mentioned in years. My only real concern is I want the people in my exit route to be aware of where they are going , which they miss if they are on their phones during the safety briefing.
I'm sure I read a recent article that they will be lifting the ban shortly.
I've left mine in a coat pocket overhead many times, to find it on when I've landed. Go on certain flights and everyone is texting and calling the moment the plane is low enough to to receive a signal. Crew used to enforce it tightly but I've not seen it mentioned in years. My only real concern is I want the people in my exit route to be aware of where they are going , which they miss if they are on their phones during the safety briefing.
I'm sure I read a recent article that they will be lifting the ban shortly.
Current policy is I believe flight mode for take-off and landing but as many flights, particularly longhaul, offer WiFi then quite clearly the phone will need to be reset to Flight mode off.
Historically the reason for switching phones off on airplanes was concern that the microwave frequencies generated by the phone could interfere with flight control systems. With the advent of smart phones the Flight mode feature was added so the phone could operate with radios off (WiFi/3G/4G/5G etc). Over time it seems the early anecdotal stories of interference were possibly unfounded but belt and braces says let's not have100's of mobile phones radiating during flight critical phases.
There is also a mobile network aspect too which is important when a plane is at relatively low level.
Historically the reason for switching phones off on airplanes was concern that the microwave frequencies generated by the phone could interfere with flight control systems. With the advent of smart phones the Flight mode feature was added so the phone could operate with radios off (WiFi/3G/4G/5G etc). Over time it seems the early anecdotal stories of interference were possibly unfounded but belt and braces says let's not have100's of mobile phones radiating during flight critical phases.
There is also a mobile network aspect too which is important when a plane is at relatively low level.
I remember being on an internal flight in Saudi with many of the locals on their phones as the aircraft got to the beginning of the runway.
The pilot then just sat there whilst constantly asking people to turn off their phones over the tannoy.
It wasn't until everyone had stopped using their phones (took a while) before we then started the take off run.
This was the late 90s though.
As we took off there was a very crashed and burnt out aircraft at the end of the runway
The pilot then just sat there whilst constantly asking people to turn off their phones over the tannoy.
It wasn't until everyone had stopped using their phones (took a while) before we then started the take off run.
This was the late 90s though.
As we took off there was a very crashed and burnt out aircraft at the end of the runway
Griffith4ever said:
My only real concern is I want the people in my exit route to be aware of where they are going , which they miss if they are on their phones during the safety briefing.
I'm certain that would be an absolute s
t show regardless. People with mobility issues, small children, the selfish and the ignorant, people collecting their hand luggage etc etc.
Combined with darkness and a cabin filling with smoke, it would be a free-for-all.
I know they've simulated it but you can't replicate the real thing. I've done the helicopter escape training where they roll it over and dunk it in water. Even though you're all fit 20 somethings and as prepared as you'll ever be it's still pretty scary and confusing.
CheesecakeRunner said:
I don’t for a minute believe the interference thing, so I don’t turn it off for that reason.
I turn it off (or rather flight mode) because it’s just bloody rude not to do as you’re asked by someone who is responsible for your overall safety.
It’s the same as putting a trolley away. https://scoop.upworthy.com/viral-shopping-cart-the...
No it's not. I turn it off (or rather flight mode) because it’s just bloody rude not to do as you’re asked by someone who is responsible for your overall safety.
It’s the same as putting a trolley away. https://scoop.upworthy.com/viral-shopping-cart-the...
You're inconveniencing someone else there, I'd never do that. I'll often collect a stray trolley if it's on my way pack to putting mine away.
Leaving your phone in your pocket is at most ignoring a general request, which at worst is a little bit rude.
Pitre said:
Always goes off/flight mode.
It would be interesting to know whether it's still an issue, but I thought a large number of phones 'on' may interfere with the plane's communications systems...
The threat is very much still present. As you say, the issue isn't one person's phone looking for a signal, but rather a potential plane-load of phones looking for signals and that is what could cause chaos with the onboard systems. It would be interesting to know whether it's still an issue, but I thought a large number of phones 'on' may interfere with the plane's communications systems...
Plus, if anyone thinks they will get a mobile phone signal at 38,000ft they're going to be disappointed.
parabolica said:
Plus, if anyone thinks they will get a mobile phone signal at 38,000ft they're going to be disappointed.
Some aircraft offer a cell service which provides data (don't think they do voice since you're not meant to make any type of call). Costs a fortune to use so there's one reason to turn on flight mode!ChocolateFrog said:
I'm certain that would be an absolute st show regardless.
People with mobility issues, small children, the selfish and the ignorant, people collecting their hand luggage etc etc.
Combined with darkness and a cabin filling with smoke, it would be a free-for-all.
I know they've simulated it but you can't replicate the real thing. I've done the helicopter escape training where they roll it over and dunk it in water. Even though you're all fit 20 somethings and as prepared as you'll ever be it's still pretty scary and confusing.
There were a load of trials some years ago (after the Manchester fire I think), where they found the best way to get an accurate simulation was fill the plain with students and offer cash to first 50 off.t show regardless. People with mobility issues, small children, the selfish and the ignorant, people collecting their hand luggage etc etc.
Combined with darkness and a cabin filling with smoke, it would be a free-for-all.
I know they've simulated it but you can't replicate the real thing. I've done the helicopter escape training where they roll it over and dunk it in water. Even though you're all fit 20 somethings and as prepared as you'll ever be it's still pretty scary and confusing.
There was some interesting footage of an emergency a couple of years ago where loads of people had thier masks over thier mouth but not nose.
ChocolateFrog said:
I've done the helicopter escape training where they roll it over and dunk it in water. Even though you're all fit 20 somethings and as prepared as you'll ever be it's still pretty scary and confusing.
Same here, years ago when I worked for oil co. Needed to go to rigs so had to do the trainingI pretty much shat myself !
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