on the plane?

Question

hey, are you allowed to use cellphones on planes? how about ipods? I have a 4 hour and 20 minute flight this june. I'm leaving June 27th. I'm going to North Carolina to visit my best friend. I was just curious because i need to find something to do, write back to me soon thanks!!

Answer 1

You can not use your cell phone on a plane. The reason is the frequency the phone uses is the same as the instruments the plane uses for navigation. iPods can be used once the plane gets up to flight level. No big deal.

Answer 2

First off, the radio frequencies of the cell phones are NOT the same as those of the navigation systems of the planes.
It is claimed that the signals from cell phones can interfere with navigation systems all the same, but this has yet to be solidly proved. (There is one research report saying there is an indication, but there are also many saying there are none.)

A good friend of mine who works high up in the European Telecomunications Commitee told me that apparently the real reason why there is a ban on cell phone use in planes is that in the early infancy of cell phone use, the technology was so young it could not handle a cell phone being connected to more than a couple of base towers at once. So a cell phone making a call from an airplane would effectively knock out the cell company's infrastructure over a certain area. So the phone companies asked the airlines to ask the passengers to turn off their cell phones, and this is where this 'urban myth' comes from.
A good indication that this is indeed the case is the fact that, like someone else here mentioned, in a not too distant future technology will exist so that you can make cell phone calls during any phase of the flight. (You'll have to pay out your nose though.) One has to wonder, if it's so dangerous for flight safety, why will it then become safe now that the airline can charge you for it?

In fact, the one place in the plane where you can be more or less guaranteed that there will be a cell phone on in any given trip is in the cockpit, as one of the pilots probably have forgotten to turn theirs off. ;)

All of that said.. No, you're not allowed to use a cell phone in a plane. For now. Whether it's for safety or not doesn't matter, what matters is that it's a Federal offence to not follow the cabin crew's directions. That in and of itself should be enough to get you to listen to them. Any electronic device without a radio transmitter/receiver (Such as most MP3 players, handheld video games etc) are allowed to be used, except during takeoff and landing. The flight attendants will tell you when you're allowed to use it and when you're not.

Have a good flight!

Answer 3

You are not allowed to have cell phones turned on while the flight is in progress. They claim that the signals being sent to the phone messes with their own signals; whether this has actually been proven, I'm not sure. But, while you're still on the ground before you take off you can use your phone, and as soon as you land you can as well. They usually announce when you can and cannot use "electronical devices". If you really need to call someone, sometimes they have phones in the seat that you can use (of course you need to pay and it's probably a lot more than a cell phone call would cost). iPods are bascially the same. They that "all electronical devices must be turned off prior to take off and during landing" but while you're in the air bascially you can use anything. I just doubt that an ipod could mess up anything with the plane because it's not sending or recieving signals to or from anything.

Answer 4

Bucknut is right on the button. However that is likely to change soon. By June you may be able to use your cell phone. Check with the airline when you buy your ticket.

Answer 5

You can't make phone calls while the plane is flying. You can use your cell phone before take-off and after landing. You can use ipods and laptop computers, if you disable the wireless devices, but you can't use them during take off and landing. They make an announcement after take-off to let you know you can turn the devices on.

Answer 6

You can use cell phones until the aircraft door is closed, the flight attendant will tell you when you cannot use them any more. You can use it again after touchdown.

You can use your iPod until the aircraft door is closed, and after the plane climbs above 10,000 ft. You will have to turn it off shortly before touchdown and can use it after touchdown again.

Answer 7

NO. Get a book. The radio signals from the phone interferes with the navigational equipment of the plane.

Answer 8

electronic equipment okay to use until they close the aircraft door then it all has to be turned off and put away until advised by the flight attendants once in the air on the public announcement (around 10,000 ft). this includes everything with on and off switch like mp3 players, cell phones, blackberry, treos, gameboys and etc. (only exceptions are hearing aids, respiratory devices, pacemakers and etc. they stay on no matter what).

then at 10,000 ft when they make an announcement of what and when it is safe to use approved devices, anything that sends a signal like cell phones and etc. has to remain off. but mp3 players and gameboys and laptops may be used. a lot of new cell phones and treos/blackberry have airplane modes where the phone can be turned on but the internal wireless transmitter is turned off. then it is safe for use during flight if you want to play games on it or etc. however, if you see a flight attendant glowering at you midflight with it on, kindly inform them that it is on airplane mode--wireless signal turned off.

then before landing they'll probably make another announcement to have everything turned off and put away for landing.

just listen to to announcements--they usually tell you everything you need to know...otherwise, aske the flight attendant.

by the way, mp3 players must be turned off for take offs and landings because in case of an unplanned evacuation, you need to be alert and hear commands and instructions to get out. yes, there are airlines with TVs and movies on but part of evacuation procedures if for us to turn the system off once commencing evacuation. we just can't do it for you while you are at your seat rocking away to pink floyd. and cell phone usage is never permitted inside the aircraft when the door is closed and taxiing to the runway unless the captain allows for it over the intercom if there is a heavy delay...and only if he/she allows for it. until then, if a flight attendant sees you he/she must have you turn it off--not just flip the phone over, but push the end button until it is completely off.

also, another reason we ask you prior to landing to turn off your mp3 players, laptops and gameboys and put them away is that too many people accidentally leave them in their seats or floor or seatback pocket and walk away. turn it off and put it away in your carry-on bag or securely in your pockets. trust me, no one is that desperate to use their laptops, dvd players, mp3 players and gameboys the 5 minutes it takes to land the plane and another few to get to the gate.

cell phones are okay once the plane lands and is taxiing to the gate.

Answer 9

You cannot use a cell phone during take off or descent.

I'm sure the IPOD is fine the entire time.

Answer 10

no cell phones but yes ipods. they don't want you to use any devices that send or recieve signals.