Many airlines, many standards. Some say you can when the doors are opened after landing, some say only when you are in the arrival hall. By now, we should have resolved the interference issues. We should be having in-flight internet!
2007-02-18 23:01:19 · 17 answers · asked by Bossie 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
The airlines make hundreds of millions US Dollars profit by making the passengers use the AIRFONE system on board which works with the same GSM antenna outside the aircraft.
2007-02-19 00:25:27 · update #1
It is true that there are so many different standards across the airlines - I travel a lot and some airlines will allow phones on if they have a flight safe mode whilst others strictly forbid having them switched on at all when on the plane.
To be honest the interference thing is probably partly true, although I doubt anyone could pick up a network at 35,000 feet - sometimes I can't pick up network on the ground!!
There is probably also the terrorism prevention element, although they don't physically check that everyone's phones are off.
The thing is that there are some airlines where you can use a credit card phone (at extortionate prices) so surely this is an interference hazard too??!
2007-02-18 23:10:38 · answer #1 · answered by retroman68 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Many reasons, some true some not, The first cell phones started out at 3 watts of transmission power, that much power it was possible to interfere with electronic devices on the plane, so they said no cell phones! No Sell phones are all less than 1 watt, at most 6/10ths of one watt, there is no risk of interference with that low of a power. Not to mention GPS the one system they are most worried about operates at 1200-1500MHz, a big difference from the 800MHz or 1800MHz that cell phones use. One of the biggest issues of phone use in air travel is the tower switching protocol. A cell tower covers about a 20 mile diameter and some much less, some areas have 10 towers in a 15 Sq mile area, So when you flying over at 400mph you will switch towers ten times in just a few min, that crates issues for people already using those towers and the network its self will have a hard time handling that much switching on and off. But most of all the guy next to you with bad breath who things that because hes a mile in the air he needs to yell down to who ever he is talking too. Hope this helps.
2007-02-19 00:02:02 · answer #2 · answered by Dina B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a remote possibility that the microwave radiation emitted by a mobile phone when in use could interfere with the operation of some of the aircraft's electronic gear. Nowadays all electronic equipment is very well shielded against outside interference or the amount of radar radiation present would interfere more strongly than any mobile phone. I suspect the real reason is to prevent the annoying sods polluting our atmosphere with their inane conversations, and what a good regulation it is.
2007-02-18 23:10:35 · answer #3 · answered by BARROWMAN 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Here's a list of many electronic systems, radio/ navigation, that could recieve interference from a cell phone. Communication radios, navigation radios (VOR, ADF), GPS, ACARS, ILS, TCAS and plenty more that could be added. Most people don't know what any of this is, but they all operate on various radio frequencies. The last thing a pilot needs is for someones "electronic device" to interfere with one of this systems at the critical moment when the safety of the aircraft and passengers relies on it. There is a lot more to the operation of a modern aircraft than you think.
2007-02-19 00:15:50 · answer #4 · answered by JET_DOC 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the mobile phone ban were lifted, law enforcement authorities worry an attacker could use the device to coordinate with accomplices on the ground, on another flight or seated elsewhere on the same plane.
If mobile phone calls are to be allowed during flights, the law enforcement agencies urged that users be required to register their location on a plane before placing a call and that officials have fast access to call identification data.
"There is a short window of opportunity in which action can be taken to thwart a suicidal terrorist hijacking or remedy other crisis situations on board an aircraft," the agencies said.
2007-02-18 23:44:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If airlines believe that there is even a slight risk of mobile phone interefence, they will not permit it.
Im sure you have to agree that keeping a object in the air holding 300 people, travelling at 500mph @ 32,000 ft. is more important than making a phone call
2007-02-18 23:18:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Aside from interference possibilities, I'm glad cell phones aren't permitted during the flight. Some people don't know how to be respectful and courteous to their fellow passengers and blast their ringtones or talk really loudly and no one wants to hear their conversations!
2007-02-18 23:05:35 · answer #7 · answered by tiercex 2 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Too many people are electro-addicts. Why not just relax and enjoy the flight? I personally would not want someone talking on their cell while I am trying to enjoy the flight. Most people talk so loud on those things I just want to take it out of their hand and smash it to bits. They promote RUDE behavior! BTW: They conflict with radio frequencies on the plane so it's your choice, turn off your phone or crash.
2007-02-18 23:12:45 · answer #8 · answered by hazeleyedbeauty1967 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think its just a rule. i heard if all people use a mobile at the same time then that mite cause trouble but not just a couple of people.
speaking of mobile phones, i urge you never to go to o2 or speak to anyone who works or has a connection with o2.
2007-02-18 23:06:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm sorry, but it really does interfere with the many radio devices that the pilots have to use.
2007-02-18 23:04:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋