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

[darknessangel]

No need to antagonize with the crew they are just doing their job. I just pack it away and read something else or just wait (it's just a few minutes anyway) until landing/take off.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I am disturbed by this seemingly prevalent attitude that "the rules don't apply to me". Whether or not they are there for a good reason, the "you must switch off electronics" rule IS there, and it's a part of the deal when you fly that you abide by these rules. If you don't like the rules, find some other means of transport!

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.

My preferred answer to the poll would have been:
- Whatever I'm asked to do
If they ask me to stop using electronic devices, I'll stop using them. If they don't make that announcement, I'll carry on using them.

Edit: The official government position for the UK:

Using electronic equipment
Research suggests the onboard use of mobile phones, and other portable electronic equipment like computer games, may interfere with aircraft communication and navigation systems. For safety reasons please switch off mobile phones during the entire flight and don't use other portable electronic equipment during take-off or landing.

[wizwor]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I am disturbed by this seemingly prevalent attitude that "the rules don't apply to me". Whether or not they are there for a good reason, the "you must switch off electronics" rule IS there, and it's a part of the deal when you fly that you abide by these rules. If you don't like the rules, find some other means of transport!

These are the entitled among us, Harry. They wait for in individual invitation to remove belt and shoes, walk through the detector with stuff in their pockets, carry on a bag, a [man] purse, and a backpack, sit in a reclined position playing words with friends until personally asked to do what everyone has done, and blog about it when the plane lands.

[Belfaborac]

If the announcement says to turn everything off, I turn everything off. On domestic flights we're usually told to turn off anything which transmits, so I continue to read until everyone gets up. So basically I do as I'm told. My ego just isn't big enough to create a drama over 5 minutes at either end of the flight.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I am disturbed by this seemingly prevalent attitude that "the rules don't apply to me". Whether or not they are there for a good reason, the "you must switch off electronics" rule IS there, and it's a part of the deal when you fly that you abide by these rules. If you don't like the rules, find some other means of transport!

Ok, and how can I switch of my PDA? Because I can't. The only way I can switch it off is by removing the battery. I can only let it sleep. So, how is that different from not turning off my tablet and letting that sleep (with wifi turned off, GPS and bluetooth are never on anyway)

And yes, I have found some other means of transport. Unless I'm really forced to, I will not take a plane (intercontinental comes to mind). I simply don't like the way you're treated as a passenger, both in the plane and on the airport.


And if they really think I can get a plane down with a simple photo camera...

[Apache]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I am disturbed by this seemingly prevalent attitude that "the rules don't apply to me". Whether or not they are there for a good reason, the "you must switch off electronics" rule IS there, and it's a part of the deal when you fly that you abide by these rules. If you don't like the rules, find some other means of transport!

I agree. I love reading that is why I read until they ask me to put it away. Then I sleep or read a cooking magazine through take off.
Apache

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

And if they really think I can get a plane down with a simple photo camera...

It's not a matter of what you think of the rules, but that they are there, and this "the rules don't apply to me" attitude just makes life difficult for everyone. You want to photograph the take-off of the plane, so you're going to ignore the order not to use electronic devices? Don't you think that's just a little bit self-centred?

[curtw]

Ditto odiakkoh. It's SkyMall time!

[curtw]

Originally Posted by wizwor

These are the entitled among us, Harry. They wait for in individual invitation to remove belt and shoes, walk through the detector with stuff in their pockets, carry on a bag, a [man] purse, and a backpack, sit in a reclined position playing words with friends until personally asked to do what everyone has done, and blog about it when the plane lands.

(OT) I think they're the same ones who wait in the line at the snack bar at the movies for 10 minutes, and when they get to the front, then start looking at the food choices.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's not a matter of what you think of the rules, but that they are there, and this "the rules don't apply to me" attitude just makes life difficult for everyone. You want to photograph the take-off of the plane, so you're going to ignore the order not to use electronic devices? Don't you think that's just a little bit self-centred?

No, because I don't believe it. Come to me with proof that a simple photo camera can do more damage than a PDA in sleeping mode. And then I'll turn it off.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

No, because I don't believe it. Come to me with proof that a simple photo camera can do more damage than a PDA in sleeping mode. And then I'll turn it off.

It really doesn't matter what you do or don't believe. The situation is that those ARE the rules, and you have an obligation to follow them, regardless of what your personal beliefs might be. If you can't accept that, find some other way to travel.

[Casey57]

Different flight attendants seem to interpret the rules differently, so I am never sure what to do. So I pretty much wait until we’ve reached cruising altitude to use my Kindle. I generally keep the 3G off anyway; I download anything I think I will want to read (blogs, newspaper) before I get on the plane. But if I can, I will try to catch a nap too!

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Casey57

Different flight attendants seem to interpret the rules differently, so I am never sure what to do.

If the announcement says "electronic devices must not be used until the seatbelt sign is turned off" that seems pretty clear-cut. What is the ambiguity? Is there any doubt that a Kindle is an "electronic device"?

[HappyMartin]

I follow my personal beliefs when ever I can. I grew up in a country where the rules were stupid and immoral. I guess I got in the habit of deciding for myself.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It really doesn't matter what you do or don't believe. The situation is that those ARE the rules, and you have an obligation to follow them, regardless of what your personal beliefs might be. If you can't accept that, find some other way to travel.

Originally Posted by Casey57

Different flight attendants seem to interpret the rules differently, so I am never sure what to do.

This. The last time I flew, the flight attendant said on the way to Spain, that I had to turn off my camera. On the way from Spain, nothing was said, while I again had the camera turned on and was pointing it outside...

And about the rules, you never ever break them? You must be much holier than I am...

Originally Posted by HarryT

If the announcement says "electronic devices must not be used until the seatbelt sign is turned off" that seems pretty clear-cut. What is the ambiguity? Is there any doubt that a Kindle is an "electronic device"?

What is turned off?