Take-off, Landing, and Your Ereader -- A Poll

[JSWolf]

When I fly, my phone goes into airplane mode and my 650 and PMP don't have wifi/3G so no issues there.

If I was to bring my iPad, it would go into airplane mode as well.

[ProfCrash]

Airplane mode works fine for when you can have them turned on but I believe that they have to be all the way off for take off and landing. Most folks don't do that. Clearly they are going to cause the plane to crash due to their negligance.

[HarryT]

On my recent EgyptAir flight they specifically said that mobile phones must be turned OFF, and could not be used, even in flight mode, for the duration of the flight. First time I've come across that.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

When I fly, my phone goes into airplane mode and my 650 and PMP don't have wifi/3G so no issues there.

If I was to bring my iPad, it would go into airplane mode as well.

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Airplane mode works fine for when you can have them turned on but I believe that they have to be all the way off for take off and landing. Most folks don't do that.

I don't do that, because it isn't what I'm asked to do.
Stop using electronics for takeoff and landing, turn off mobile phones for the duration of the flight.

[ProfCrash]

(shrugs) My recent plane trips have included instructions to turn all electronics off with an explination that safe mode is not off.

[murraypaul]

If I was told to do that, I would, but that hasn't been the instructions on recent flights I have taken.
I don't fly on US carriers, maybe that is a difference.

[ProfCrash]

The Jet Blue flights I have been on announce that regualarly.

[whitearrow]

Originally Posted by heeby

I believe you are correct. From my understanding it is not a law nor is disobeying a flight attendant illegal in this instance. However what normally happens is they get law enforcement involved and get THEM to arrest you on some trumped up charge like disorderly conduct, assault etc. But since it is repeated so much in the media and gossip that it's ILLEGAL to "disobey" flight crews, the general public believes this. Perhaps our lawyer friend above could chime in on the accuracy of this?

Here is the most relevant US Code section I was able to locate in my admittedly brief research:

An individual on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States who, by assaulting or intimidating a flight crew member or flight attendant of the aircraft, interferes with the performance of the duties of the member or attendant or lessens the ability of the member or attendant to perform those duties, or attempts or conspires to do such an act, shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both. However, if a dangerous weapon is used in assaulting or intimidating the member or attendant, the individual shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life. 49 U.S.C. 46504

The offense here isn't disobeying, it's "interfering." So I would say that simply not listening to the announcement the first time to turn off devices would not violate this law. But if the FA asks you personally to turn it off, and you don't, and he/she has to ask again, and you continue to ignore them, that might be another matter. Basically, it would be up to the FA's discretion whether to involve the authorities, and the US attorney's discretion whether to prosecute.

(Don't get too hung up on the "intimidating" part -- the statute has been broadly construed, so if an FA testifies that you were "intimidating" him or her (including by saying that you'd turn the device off and then not doing it) that's probably sufficient evidence. Proving an intent to intimidate is not necessary.)

BTW, this is my personal opinion and not to be construed as advice of any sort.

[Latinandgreek]

I keep my ebook reader, as well as any other electronic devices that I have with me, off during take-off and landing, and I usually keep a paper book with me in my purse for such times.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

That isn't the rule, as least as it has been announced on the recent flights I have been on.
You must stop using any electronic devices, and switch off any mobile phones.
I stop reading from my iPad, and put it to sleep. I don't totally power it down, that isn't what I've been asked to do. I do totally power down my phone, as that is what I've been asked to do.

I flew from London to Copenhagen today with SAS and they told us to turn off all electronic devices. And the flight attendant told me especially that I had to turn off and put away my iPad.

When I flew in US last time they told us to turn off everything with an off switch.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

I don't do that, because it isn't what I'm asked to do.
Stop using electronics for takeoff and landing, turn off mobile phones for the duration of the flight.

On the airline I usually fly with they give the specific instructions to put the phone in flight mode before turning it off, so that you can use it after take off. That way you are in flight mode after powering on again. I have had a smart phone since 2001 or so. About 8 years ago I was using it in flight mode during the regular flight. We argued about it, but finally she let me use it. Old rules that are simply outdated, that one was for dumb phones. They are useless without a connection.

But I have yet to see anyone intentionally powering off any device. Some they may have powered off before hand, but what they are using just goes into sleep mode.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Actually, there was only a mention over the intercom that phones and laptops had to be turned off. And I didn't have a phone nor a laptop. It was a photo camera. And not a phone with a photo camera, but a dedicated one. But it's a small one. Maybe he confused it with a smart phone...

Which airline and between which airports? I have never heard them say only phones and laptops. They might say something like "all electronic devices such as for example phones and laptops"-

[tompe]

Originally Posted by heeby

"because I was told to". I do not do things that would harm or endanger others...THAT would be wrong. Reading a Kindle isn't.

That depends. An iPad will definitely endanger other in certain situations if you are reading and the abnormal event causes it to fly around in the cabin. Maybe a kindle might do that also.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by tompe

That depends. An iPad will definitely endanger other in certain situations if you are reading and the abnormal event causes it to fly around in the cabin. Maybe a kindle might do that also.

And a heavy pbook wouldn't be dangerous?

[Bookworm_Girl]

I was on a flight today. They specifically said to power-off electronics and then specifically added that means cellphones and iPods and Kindles too.