2007-05-11 07:30:00 · 13 answers · asked by Godiva 1 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
Because the transmitting signals could interfere with the airplane's system. Many will argue that this is close to impossible. However, it is an FAA mandate and therefore has validity. I say this because the FAA is there to PROMOTE flying, not inhibit flying. If they create a law, there is good reason for it. A study at Carnegie Melon showed positive interference of cell phones with flight systems. There is probably another study to prove the opposite!
At any rate, do as your flight crew says and all is well!
2007-05-11 07:38:07 · answer #1 · answered by EHFAR 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
At cruising altitude, you won't get a signal anyway and the flight attendants do not have the time to explain to every other passenger why their phone does not work. The rest of the flight is takeoff and landing which happen to be the most dangerous parts of the flight--- if there is going to be an emergency or a crash, chances are it will happen then. You need to be off the phone (and no ipod, etc) so that you can have a better chance of hearing and understanding the emergency instructions if something goes wrong. If everyone was yakkin' away on their cell phones and there was a crash, nobody would have a clue what to do to get out of the plane.
2007-05-12 07:51:18 · answer #2 · answered by dcgirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a slight chance that the frequency used by cell phones can interfere with the planes instruments and/or controls. Pretty much everything on a plane is computer controlled now, so it's a little easier to screw things up.
2007-05-11 14:35:02 · answer #3 · answered by wolfatrest2000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because electronics interfere with the correct functioning of the instruments on the instrument panels in the cockpit until the plane is at a certain altitude.
2007-05-11 14:34:05 · answer #4 · answered by Gibbsy girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They used to think that it might interfere with the planes electronics. That has been largely disproved. The reason now is that you would not want to be constantly disturbed by everyones cell phone ringing and everybody talking constantly around you.
2007-05-11 14:41:59 · answer #5 · answered by Richard F 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
they do so for your own safety if your phone is on while on board its goes all the way to affecting navigational signals and it can lead to the crashing of the aircraft if you recieve a call while on board but this rule only applies to only some aircraft not all.
2007-05-11 14:38:14 · answer #6 · answered by Taiwolee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they interfere with the radar navigation on the plane
2007-05-11 14:38:08 · answer #7 · answered by handittowillis21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
airplanes uses radar signals ( which have different frequencies) to communicate, and your cellphone catches some of those frequencies which causes interference on the plane's communication line
2007-05-11 14:39:58 · answer #8 · answered by betan 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They do now, but I kinda think they're trying this new technology in Qantas that would allow you to use your cellphone in flight? See the article in wikipedia, under http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qantas#In-flight_cell-phone_trial
2007-05-11 15:20:19 · answer #9 · answered by dmc 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may affect/interfere navigation signal. Just do as they say and no one gets hurt!
2007-05-11 14:42:37 · answer #10 · answered by lady_deathstrike_23 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋