Reading on planes

[pokee]

Originally Posted by JCKobo

Put it in a zip lock. Works great. I do it all the time.

Ha ha - I have a whole new mental picture of JC now!!!

[JPenguin]

Originally Posted by 3d0g

Some say the real reason for no electronics has nothing to do with interference and everything to do with having undistracted passengers during the most dangerous phases of flight.

I'd go with this one too, I know from personal experience that using sending and receiving BBMs on a BlackBerry while flying don't cause any issues (well the copilot was on the BB, not the pilot, that'd be even worse than texting while driving!).

But on a commercial flight I'm not going to complain about being asked to turn off all digital media devices, I don't object to providing my undivided attention during take-off and landing but the security-theater at airports is a different matter entirely . . . .

[amo]

Originally Posted by pokee

Ha ha - I have a whole new mental picture of JC now!!!

thanks so much, now the rest of us have it too.

[ferencke]

Originally Posted by stodge

This is standard procedure for takeoff and landing. You yourself said that they allow texting in flight, but presumably not during takeoff and landing. I assume the crew said you could use the Kobo during the flight?

Personally I'd rather switch my devices off and enjoy a safe takeoff and landing!

Do you accept all the stupid rules without questioning it?

[3d0g]

Originally Posted by ferencke

Do you accept all the stupid rules without questioning it?

When not following them could land me in PMITA prison, why yes, I do.

[SensualPoet]

I've taken both my Kobo and Kindle on recent flights in Canada with three different airlines and have not been asked to stop reading. Out of consideration for the spirit of the rules, during the actual taken-off, I slip the device into the seat pocket in front of me. (This is more about ensuring excess items that could be loose flying about the cabin in the event of sudden jolt are secured than "radio interference".) Also, during prep for take-off, you're supposed to be paying attention to the safety demonstrations.

I do make a point of switching off the Blackberry radio once the plane starts to pull away from the gate.

It sounds like rules in Canada are a little more rational than some jurisdictions.

[djorkboy]

I have been travelling way too much recently with Qantas and most times they didn't even notice I was reading on a Kobo, in those cases I continued to read during takeoff/landing.

Once I was asked to switch it off and the airborne waitress insisted that I make the screen go completely white otherwise it "must still be on, there is text on screen", she carried on for 15 minutes, talking over me whenever I would try to explain how it works "...you know how an etch-a-sketch works...", she even took it away to show the captain in case he decided I would not be able to fly with this dangerous device. When she came back she informed me that since the words "Powered Off" appear on screen she was giving me the benefit of the doubt.

Since then I drop it in the seat pocket until the captain gives his "all passengers and flight crew should now be seated with their seat belts fastened" warning, then I know i'm safe to read without some dozy Luddite interfering.

Flying to NZ next week, it will be interesting too see how the legendarily laid back AirNZ staff handle it, especially given the on board entertainment system on AirNZ can be used during take-off and landing.

[DavidF]

I think the problem for the airlines is that they have no easy way of telling what sort of device you are using. Is it a Kobo (with or without Wifi), is it a Kindle, is it a Nook ? Its a bit much to expect all flight attendants to be able to recognise every device on the market and know if is has transmitting capability or not.

Now, even if it does have wifi transmission, could it cause a problem ? Well, since a number of pilots I know regularly use their mobile phones when in flight, I doubt a single device could. However what happens when 200 + wifi devices start sending signals looking for connections ? This is still being debated in airline circles, so they would rather be safe than sorry.

Flying to Auckland (Qantas) tomorrow, so I will leave my Kobo switched off until the seatbelt light goes off

[mamasue]

Its a bit much to expect all flight attendants to be able to recognise every device on the market and know if is has transmitting capability or not.

I know where you're coming from with this & I am not looking for an argument .. OK?

However, with the recent changes to Federal Legislation re flying, I really wish each airline company would give their staff up-to-date training. Some of them have noooooooo idea about some of the changes - and they should know about transmitting capabilities! (as well as many other changes/issues)

I am a knitter - ZOMG!!! most staff have totally missed the changes in this area. try & get knitting equipment on board some flights.

We pay huge $$ for tickets and some pedants have a captive audience - why should we accept them dictating out-of-date knowledge (or NO knowledge at all!) to us?

[Gordo29]

Originally Posted by 3d0g

Some say the real reason for no electronics has nothing to do with interference and everything to do with having undistracted passengers during the most dangerous phases of flight.

When I'm flying and reading a treebook they don't ask me to stop reading it at takeoff or landing, so being distracted is likely a moot point. Yes, they want you to pay attention to the safety demonstration (it is law that they have to do it) and I assume if you are reading (regardless what format) you might not be giving it your full attention.

The electronics in a 1st gen Kobo would have 0 effect on the electronics on a plane. I assume the flight attenants have a standard operating procedure which states all electronics are turned off during take off and landing as this is the simplest way of not having any device potentially interfering with the plane electronics. The flight attendants probably don't have the knowledge of electronics or the time to check each electronic device and say ok, you with the 1st gen Kobo can leave it on but you with the smartphone turn it off.

[dmacmart]

My first flight with my Kobo was US - Continental. I wondered if I had to turn it off. The announcement from the flight attendant to "please turn off all electronic devices" proceeded to list "phones, iphones, ipods, mp3 players, netbooks, laptops, (more stuff) ... and Kindles. If it has an ON / OFF switch it must be in the OFF position." Very non-ambiguous. Also unnecessary for my Original Kobo but I comply when I fly.

Having said that, I've been in flights where we had to taxi around for 20-30 minutes in prep for takeoff, and they insisted on having devices off. That seems unnecessary. And other flights that insist on having them off for about 20 minutes during descent. That's a LOT of time NOT READING! I think there is a point that you need to be able to hear emergency instructions, but I wish there were different rules for devices with sound output / headphones. That would be an easy rule change to enforce.