Using PRS-500 on an airplane

chuck94022 · 01-20-2007, 10:14 PM

Since the reader "uses no power" except when turning a page, then assuming I am not listening to audio, shouldn't I be able to read even when the flight crew has asked that all electronic devices be turned off? Isn't it off between pages?

(If it is using no power, it shouldn't be radiating RF to disrupt navigation. And if I sneak in a page turn for the 1-2 seconds it takes for me to turn the page, I'm sure the pilot can recover...

)

Of course, trying to convince the flight crew that it really isn't on could be difficult...

Thoughts?

-chuck

kulaga · 01-20-2007, 11:01 PM

I've taken mine on 4 or 5 flights, and it's a coin toss. Half the time I'm told to put it away, the rest of the time they look confused and let me read.

JazZi · 01-21-2007, 01:32 AM

the last flight I was on, I was told to put it away.

HarryT · 01-21-2007, 03:13 AM

I guess the rules are there because the cabin crew have no way to know what electronic devices are "safe" and what do emit radiation which could interfere with flight systems. A blanket ban is probably the only workable solution.

diabloNL · 01-21-2007, 07:38 AM

Normally they ask me to turn it off during takeoff and landing. But in-flight I had no problems.

Alexander Turcic · 01-21-2007, 08:27 AM

Flew Chicago-Frankfurt last time, and they asked me to turn it off (United).

NickMilner · 01-21-2007, 08:40 AM

I was told to put it away too, and the Reader.

My advice would be not to try arguing about the technology because you'll be treated like the guy who jokes about bombs. Airlines are massively risk averse and it's not worth getting into trouble. Besides, you're going to want to change page at some point and then you will be breaking the rules.

yvanleterrible · 01-21-2007, 09:33 AM

I guess trying to convince the airline personnel would take all the flight's duration time. You could then still say that the reader helped pass the time.

Turtle Woman · 01-21-2007, 12:10 PM

The Southwest people say, "If it has an on/off switch, turn it off." So I turn it off. That's the only disadvantage to The Reader I've found. On the other hand, I've read some nice articles in the airline magazine.

jasonbrent · 01-21-2007, 12:15 PM

"It is off." has worked for me.

Alexander Turcic · 01-22-2007, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonbrent

"It is off." has worked for me.

Hehe

JoeTampa · 01-31-2007, 10:47 PM

If I *really* had to read a book, I would simply say, "It is off - it's e-ink, it never 'goes blank'". Which, of course, begs the question -- what happens when you DO use the power switch?? Just clears the ink off?

In any case, you'll either get a "Really? Cool! Ok, no problem" type response or a "I'm sorry, you'll still have to put it away" response - to which non-compliance is technically a Federal crime, for which you could get in hot water if you made a serious enough jerk of yourself.

Besides, it's not THAT long that it's off... I do the same thing, (re-)read the airline mags.

Nightwing · 02-01-2007, 12:29 AM

Actualy it proabbly not off... The embedded cpu is polling the buttons etc. So just in case. Just turn it off...

chuck94022 · 02-02-2007, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightwing

Actualy it proabbly not off... The embedded cpu is polling the buttons etc. So just in case. Just turn it off...

Actually I seriously doubt that the CPU is actively polling.That would draw significant power. More likely it is in a suspended state, drawing no power, awaiting an interrupt in the form of a button press, which probably just closes a connection that sends an interrupt that wakes up the CPU. Easily implemented.

scotty1024 · 02-02-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck94022

which probably just closes a connection that sends an interrupt that wakes up the CPU. Easily implemented.

I think iRex has proven it isn't at al that easy.

I'm much happier with the battery life in my Sony Portable Reader than what I got with my Sony Librie.

01-20-2007, 10:14 PM	#1
chuck94022 avid reader Posts: 18 Karma: 19 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: california Device: sony prs-500 and prs-505	Using PRS-500 on an airplane Since the reader "uses no power" except when turning a page, then assuming I am not listening to audio, shouldn't I be able to read even when the flight crew has asked that all electronic devices be turned off? Isn't it off between pages? (If it is using no power, it shouldn't be radiating RF to disrupt navigation. And if I sneak in a page turn for the 1-2 seconds it takes for me to turn the page, I'm sure the pilot can recover... ) Of course, trying to convince the flight crew that it really isn't on could be difficult... Thoughts? -chuck

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01-20-2007, 11:01 PM	#2
kulaga Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 110 Join Date: Jan 2007 Device: PRS-500	I've taken mine on 4 or 5 flights, and it's a coin toss. Half the time I'm told to put it away, the rest of the time they look confused and let me read.

01-21-2007, 01:32 AM	#3
JazZi Member Posts: 18 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Kindle 2; Sony PRS-505	the last flight I was on, I was told to put it away.

01-21-2007, 03:13 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I guess the rules are there because the cabin crew have no way to know what electronic devices are "safe" and what do emit radiation which could interfere with flight systems. A blanket ban is probably the only workable solution.

01-21-2007, 07:38 AM	#5
diabloNL Gadget Force® Posts: 705 Karma: 2733 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Netherlands Device: Sony PRS-300 + Cybook with funny screen :P	Normally they ask me to turn it off during takeoff and landing. But in-flight I had no problems.

01-21-2007, 08:27 AM	#6
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,171 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Flew Chicago-Frankfurt last time, and they asked me to turn it off (United).

01-21-2007, 08:40 AM	#7
NickMilner Member Posts: 15 Karma: 11 Join Date: Jan 2007	I was told to put it away too, and the Reader. My advice would be not to try arguing about the technology because you'll be treated like the guy who jokes about bombs. Airlines are massively risk averse and it's not worth getting into trouble. Besides, you're going to want to change page at some point and then you will be breaking the rules.

01-21-2007, 09:33 AM	#8
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	I guess trying to convince the airline personnel would take all the flight's duration time. You could then still say that the reader helped pass the time.

01-21-2007, 12:10 PM	#9
Turtle Woman Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roswell, NM Device: Sony Reader	The Southwest people say, "If it has an on/off switch, turn it off." So I turn it off. That's the only disadvantage to The Reader I've found. On the other hand, I've read some nice articles in the airline magazine.

01-21-2007, 12:15 PM	#10
jasonbrent Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2006	"It is off." has worked for me.

01-31-2007, 10:47 PM	#12
JoeTampa Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2006 Device: Sony Reader	If I really had to read a book, I would simply say, "It is off - it's e-ink, it never 'goes blank'". Which, of course, begs the question -- what happens when you DO use the power switch?? Just clears the ink off? In any case, you'll either get a "Really? Cool! Ok, no problem" type response or a "I'm sorry, you'll still have to put it away" response - to which non-compliance is technically a Federal crime, for which you could get in hot water if you made a serious enough jerk of yourself. Besides, it's not THAT long that it's off... I do the same thing, (re-)read the airline mags.

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02-01-2007, 12:29 AM	#13
Nightwing Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 541 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Cowon A2 Dell x3i, Sony Reader & Eee PC!	Actualy it proabbly not off... The embedded cpu is polling the buttons etc. So just in case. Just turn it off...