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

[tompe]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

And a heavy pbook wouldn't be dangerous?

No, since the impact area is bigger.

[JoeD]

The use of phones in airplane mode seems to vary from airline to airline. Last time I flew we were told to turn mobiles off for the duration of the flight, but that any device (including mobiles) that have an "airplane mode" could be used outside of take-off/landing.

I've also been on flights in previous years where even with airplane mode mobiles had to remain off.

I'm sure a lot of people do just put their devices to sleep rather than powering off, probably just out of ignorance that sleep is not the same as off. However, that's still in most cases (phones been a key exception) going to reduce the amount of emissions from a device compared to actively using it.

[heeby]

Originally Posted by JimKal

Here is a link to a fairly well balanced article:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...ephones23.html

It indicates that while electronic devices usually don't present a problem, there are instances where they can be problematic. For the relatively minor inconvenience of turning off an e-device for a few minutes during takeoff and landing, I would rather be safe than sorry. If "heeby" above actually had the curate of his or her convictions he/she would let himself/herself be arrested and argue the matter before a judge. Leaving the device on but hiding it is simply an act of cowardice. I don't mean to be harsh but the author is being very self-centered.

Cowardice? That is absurd and you really should apologize for such a ridiculous insult. It's one thing to disagree and even be colorful about it...but calling someone a coward is a step further just intentional malice which you wouldn't do in real life because there are consequences unlike online. Shame on you.

And as someone else tried to bait me with a similar insult...one doesn't need to go to jail to be serious about their position. That is just a ridiculous taunt. But on that note...if you who are so sure oft he danger were convicted in YOUR beliefs you wouldn't fly at all because there are always devices who accidentally get left on or those that the flight crew uses. If you truly feared for your lives and weren't just interested in control you would avoid the danger entirely. But this is not about safety...it is about opinions and people demanding others comply with theirs.

Originally Posted by tompe

No, since the impact area is bigger.

I hope this is a joke and I missed the nuance. There are many "allowed" projectiles in the cabin including bags and bodies that will do far more damage than any kindle so that is a non starter.

In the end when these ridiculous rules are rescinded as they have already begun to be...those of you who are so adamant about it will have no other basis for your argument other than "because we were told to" which is just silly. There is no danger, there has never been any danger, and the airlines are changing polices slowly. Are you going to continue to shut things off even when the norm is not to and everyone else isn't? Will these "sources" you cite as why you fear an issue continue to compel you to insist others comply with your wishes even in the absence of the rule?

If you need to be told it is ok to use common sense then that is on you...but you have no business telling me I have to wait until I am told as well...hollow "safety" arguments included.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by tompe

No, since the impact area is bigger.

I am sure the sharp corner of a hardback hitting someone's eye will do a lot more damage than a Kindle.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

I am sure the sharp corner of a hardback hitting someone's eye will do a lot more damage than a Kindle.

I was talking about iPads.

There is a reason that large or heavy things have to be put away during takeoff and landing.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by tompe

I was talking about iPads.

There is a reason that large or heavy things have to be put away during takeoff and landing.

Nobody disputes that this makes sense. But that is not what this thread was about. And there actually is no rule against heavy hardbacks. (which would make a lot more sense than forbidding the use of Kindle's).

[JoeD]

Originally Posted by heeby

There is no danger, there has never been any danger, and the airlines are changing polices slowly.

Experts in the area believe there _might_ be a danger. In fact they believe interference can cause problems at any point during a flight.

However, because they see the chance of such interference as causing a problem as small, they recommend only that devices not be used during the time that should that small chance happen, the potential for damage is greatest.

It's risk management and I'm ok with that.

Are you going to continue to shut things off even when the norm is not to and everyone else isn't? Will these "sources" you cite as why you fear an issue continue to compel you to insist others comply with your wishes even in the absence of the rule?

I don't "fear" an issue, I just believe that if those experts are correct that there's a small chance electronic devices can interfere with plane systems, then it's prudent not to use them during take-off/landing.

If in weeks/years to come, further research and testing proves that aircraft systems are not susceptible or devices can be certified as not capable of causing a problem, then I'd be happy to use a device during take-off/landing if the airline allowed it.

If the airline continues to ban their usage despite total evidence to the contrary, then it's no longer a safety issue and I'd not care one bit if people challenged the rule by trying to use devices, I'd likely do so myself. The only time I would take issue, is if you (generic) didn't listen to the instructions of a flight attendant. Whether you believe what they're asking is wrong or not as long as their instructions are not putting you in danger, you should follow them during a flight.

I doubt either of us going to change our views on this with further discussion, so I'm willing to leave it at that unless anyone is able to bring up something new to debate in which case I'll jump back in

PS I do hope in time those who design the aircraft can prove to themselves it's safe enough to use non-transmitting devices at any time or can find a way to certify groups of devices as safe to use. Then we can all be happy.

[JimKal]

Originally Posted by heeby

Cowardice? That is absurd and you really should apologize for such a ridiculous insult. It's one thing to disagree and even be colorful about it...but calling someone a coward is a step further just intentional malice which you wouldn't do in real life because there are consequences unlike online. Shame on you.
.

I would suggest you reread what I said and the reference I cited. And, to be clear, I didn't call you a coward. I said to pretend to turn off a device but to secretly leave it on is an act of cowardice. I don't see another way to describe it. It isn't an act of bravery as you are hiding what you are doing. It isn't an act of defiance as you are hiding what you are doing. Your description of your actions is passive-aggresive. We all do it from time to time and need to recognize when we are doing it.

BTW if you read the article it will remind you that the rules below 10,000 feet are set by the government, not the airlines. It also states this is a matter of concern that outright danger. So, a few moments of inconvenience coupled with living together in harmony and consideration versus the self centered need to have what we want whenever we want it is the choice facing each of us.

[John F]

Airplane mode on Apple stuff is a little misleading. You can be in "airplane mode" and still have wifi and bluetooth on.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by John F

Airplane mode on Apple stuff is a little misleading. You can be in "airplane mode" and still have wifi and bluetooth on.

That's because "Airplane mode" is a term created by the manufacturers of the devices. It was never meant to be a "Safe for Airplane" mode, the whole concept behind Airplane mode has always been more of a "Don't get caught with your device turned on on an airplane because it started making noises and gave you away" mode.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by John F

Airplane mode on Apple stuff is a little misleading. You can be in "airplane mode" and still have wifi and bluetooth on.

Airplane mode on iPod Touches and iPads disables wifi.

[John F]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

Airplane mode on iPod Touches and iPads disables wifi.

I thought, for iPad, turning on Airplane Mode disables wifi and bluetooth. You can then go back and turn wifi and bluetooth on, and still be in Airplane Mode.

I'll verify this tonight.

For my iPhone, you can be in Airplane Mode and still have wifi and bluetooth on.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by John F

I thought, for iPad, turning on Airplane Mode disables wifi and bluetooth. You can then go back and turn wifi and bluetooth on, and still be in Airplane Mode.

That seems to be right.
Turning on airplane mode disables wifi.
You can then turn it back on.

[John F]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

That seems to be right.
Turning on airplane mode disables wifi.
You can then turn it back on.

I don't think so. It doesn't say disabled, it says off. If it was disabled, how could you turn it on without enabling it first?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by John F

I don't think so. It doesn't say disabled, it says off. If it was disabled, how could you turn it on without enabling it first?

Enabling "airplane mode" on the iPhone/iPad turns WiFi and bluetooth off. But, while still in airplane mode, you can then go into settings and turn WiFi or bluetooth back on again. ie, airplane mode does not "disable" WiFi/BT as one might perhaps expect that it would do.