Cell phones on planes

[PhatAJ2008]

Is it true the only reason you are not allowed to use cell phones on an airplane is to encourage the use of the one in the seat in front of you? Or does it really mess with the plane's navigational equipment? I know you can't get service while in flight, but during taxi? Jetblue evidently doesn't allow it, and an FA got very upset at a man using his phone while we waited to take off last week...

 

[Dash8]

yes it could conceivably cause interference, and the reason for no more phones during taxi out, because its hard enough to get some of those idiots off their phones when to door closes, you'd be delaying takeoffs at high density fields when some jackass is yammerin away on his squakbox in the back
same for those damned ipods, and 'noise canceling' headsets, far as i'm concerned the headsets shouldn't be allowed at all, ever because they can cancel out commands from the flightcrew
just wanna slap some of these people in the head when they say 'but its turned off' when the fa asks them to remove them for takeoff/landing same for audio headsets, how are they supposed to know its actually turned off? like a pax isn't capable of lying about it?
who needs to listen to music that badly, all the time?

 

[CitationXDriver]

The last I heard is that cell phone usage has never been conclusively proven to interfere with any navigational instruments, nor has it been proven that it will not interfere. During the early periods of cell phones, use of phones in flight would result in the cell signal bouncing from cell tower to cell tower so rapidly that tracking the use was not possible and thus calls would be free. Its my understanding that this has since been fixed.

 

[flyf15]

I don't think too many people realize that allowing cell-phones wouldn't do anyone any good anyways. I have enough trouble getting cell-phone reception on the ground, let alone at the minimum, 7 miles from the nearest station inside a metal enclosure... and thats best case scenario. Most airline flights don't spend too much time over densely populated regions or highways, so the nearest tower may be dozens or hundreds of miles away. You're also travelling at hundreds of miles per hour... theres no way a phone could "lock on" to a tower even if it could get a signal.

The only way for it to work is if cell phone "towers" were installed in airplanes. And I know that if that happens, I won't be flying on those airlines... the last thing I need is to be in a confined space for hours on end with 200 strangers yelling into their cell-phones "SORRY, ITS A LITTLE LOUD IN HERE, I'M ON AN AIRPLANE.. WHAT'D YOU SAY!?"

 

[siucavflight]

I don't think too many people realize that allowing cell-phones wouldn't do anyone any good anyways. I have enough trouble getting cell-phone reception on the ground, let alone at the minimum, 7 miles from the nearest station inside a metal enclosure... and thats best case scenario. Most airline flights don't spend too much time over densely populated regions or highways, so the nearest tower may be dozens or hundreds of miles away. You're also travelling at hundreds of miles per hour... theres no way a phone could "lock on" to a tower even if it could get a signal.

The only way for it to work is if cell phone "towers" were installed in airplanes. And I know that if that happens, I won't be flying on those airlines... the last thing I need is to be in a confined space for hours on end with 200 strangers yelling into their cell-phones "SORRY, ITS A LITTLE LOUD IN HERE, I'M ON AN AIRPLANE.. WHAT'D YOU SAY!?"

Are you sure that you know what you are talking about? Cell phones do not need to lock onto towers, its not a GPS. I know that a lot of corporate jets are having the technology put into place on their jets. Motorolla has already had it aboard all of the Falcons for some time now.

Flying F-15. I think that if you will not fly on an aircraft that allows cell phone useage you had better pick a new profession. UAL has already said that they hope to have the technology in place by next year, and you can guarntee that all of the other airlines will follow suit.

 

[Flying Illini]

I've left mine on accidentally before (several times, actually) and whenever I do this, when I get below 4000 and my phone reaquires a signal, I get interference in my headset. Actually, we both do. It seems that nextel phones do this and so does Cingular (which is what I have). Never had a problem with the NAV's though.

 

[777_Jackpot]

I've left mine on accidentally before (several times, actually) and whenever I do this, when I get below 4000 and my phone reaquires a signal, I get interference in my headset. Actually, we both do. It seems that nextel phones do this and so does Cingular (which is what I have). Never had a problem with the NAV's though.

That makes two of us. I will actually take it a step further. About 15 seconds after we touch down, (About the time it takes the FA to tell the passengers that it is alright to use their phone), I get interference in my headset. I can tell when someone has left theirs on or has turn it on in the back. I wish they would make the rule you can't have the things on until your at the gate.

 

[minitour]

I wish they would make the rule you can't have the things on until your at the gate.

If you're the FO, couldn't you politely ask the CA if he would reuqire that on his flights? If you're the CA...well...you're PIC. No cell phones means no cell phones.

I know what you mean about that interference. My computer gets it, our TVs do, and I can tell when I forgot to turn it off in my lovely 172 because my headset gets it. I can only imagine touching down at LGA or ORD and missing a call from ground because you couldn't understand through someone's cell phone gettin' a signal. Ouch...

If you have to talk THAT badly....take greyhound.

-mini

 

[cynic]

Actually I think part of the problem is you can hose up the cell phone network by broadcasting over a much larger area than a cell phone normally would.

 

[TransMach]

Cell Phones

Mates,

My experience is that if the cell phone is within about 6 feet of the VHF COMM receiver/transmitter box then you will get continual interference through your headset or cockpit speaker when ever the cell phone is attempting to interrogate the network. It will interrogate the network and attempt to sign on anytime it detects a useable signal and that is probably anytime it's within about 5,000 feet of and network grid. In King Airs and Lears where the COMM R/Ts are in the nose, the flight crew's cell phones will cause this interference. In the GIV/GV (forward galley) the F/A's cell phone will do it. It is real annoying and could cause a safety issue. I've seen no interference on the NAVs and, yes, my Verizon phone does it as well as the other vendors.

Another problem with these things are the new, selectable, and really bizare ring tones. One day, when I was relatively new in the airplane type, we were comming up on the middle marker and in the clouds when the other pilot's cell phone acquired the network and gave him a ring indicating he had mail waiting. Well, the first thought that went through my mind was "What the heck is that?" (language improved for the message board)

I'm quite happy my company has a policy that we all turn them off at engine start as soon as we've called home to say we're taxiing out with X pax onboard.

TransMach

 

[Tripower455]

Whether there's a possibility of interference or not, it is still illegal to use them.

Every so often, we get people on the aircraft that not only use their phones during flight, they also refuse to turn them off when told to and occasionally get abusive to the FAs, which now becomes interfering with the duties of a flight crewmember. What is wrong with people?

How hard is it to get on a friggin airplane, sit there and follow the rules for a few hours?

I am also dreading the day when cell phone use is allowed on the aircraft.

It's not bad enough already, stuck between 2 "customers of size", with the kid behind you kicking the seat, and the guy in front of you reclined so you can count his dandruff flakes, now you get to hear half of all of their cell phone conversations...... I'll sit in the jumpseat.....

Cell phones are incredibly useful tools, but, much like cars or firearms, many people are too stupid to use them responsibly.

 

[Dash8]

amen tripower

sweet goat btw

 

[troy]

On the basis of annoying people, what is the difference between the seat back phone and a cell? Only the price it takes to use it. I have not heard of anybody on this board complain about seat back phones yet.......

 

[Tripower455]

On the basis of annoying people, what is the difference between the seat back phone and a cell? Only the price it takes to use it. I have not heard of anybody on this board complain about seat back phones yet.......

In all of my years deadheading and commuting, I can count on one hand the number of times I've ever seen anyone even USE one, much less spend the entire flight discussing imnportant things such as who likes who etc....... I assume that cost to use was the issue, which is moot with cell phones....

People are inconsiderate to begin with..... Cell phones have made it far worse. Movies, trains, restaurants etc. Wherever you go nowadays, all you hear is:

"uh huh.......yeah......... why don't you try clairol instead....... ummm ok, yeah.... did you hear that suzy slept with joe.......... my clap test came back positive, should I tell joe?....... wow, suzy's gonna be pissed..........."

..... it never ends......

 

[garf12]

On the basis of annoying people, what is the difference between the seat back phone and a cell? Only the price it takes to use it. I have not heard of anybody on this board complain about seat back phones yet.......

Good point, but does anyone actually use those? I know I have never seen it happen.

 

[Duderino]

I heard the only known interference was with the anti-skid operation. But I was hoping to hear it again here, cause I don't beleive it. I think T-Mobile, Cingular, and Nextel, which I beleive are all GSM, will cause interference.

Good Morning Everyone

 

[JimG]

I've never used one on a commercial flight, b/c rules are rules, and quite honestly....having 100+ people yacking on their cell phones would be irritating.

But when I'm flying myself I use it and have never had interference whatsoever with headsets, nav/coms/gps/anything.

When I flew a Bonanza down in the 10-12,000 levels, I used it quite often, unless I was IFR.

I even have the adapter to use my phone through my headset, although it doesn't get used that often anymore since I got my C340.

At altitude, I usually don't have reception, don't want to miss a call (almost always fly IFR now), and when I come down....I'm too busy to use it.

 

[learflyer]

I think the guys at FLOPS can testify to this that the blueberries DO interfere with the com's most of the time. We don't turn them on in flight or anything, but when on the ground taxiing in and wondering what were doing next, those things really make the coms scream.

 

[JimG]

learflyer,

Please excuse my ignorance.

What's a "blueberry"? Is it a "blackberry" you're referring to?

 

[learflyer]

yeah, it's just a blackberry that is blue instead of Black. Our company uses both versions, using two different cell carriers so there is technically always someone with reception.

 

[Bjammin]

A friend of mine is an FO for American on the Super-80. The captain took out his cell phone to try to prove nothing would happen if he used it. He got a signal, dailed a number, and pressed "talk". The second he pressed "talk" the autopilot kicked off.
Don't know about you, but I will never try to use a cell phone inflight again.

 

[Tadpoles]

As a frequent passenger, it is freaking annoying when, the second we're taxing or at the gate, to have 10-50 phones turn on at the same time and ring their little jingles. Just sit back and relax. Seriously, didn't the business world work just fine 10 years ago? Since when did everying have to be a McDonalds? Get anything you want--NOW! the demise of human patience, the rise of human stupidity.

 

[uh60james]

I havent ever experienced any interference and I think that on a lot of flights our whole crew of 4 has phones on but like someone already said, good luck getting service!

 

[DenverDude2002]

I could care less about people yapping on cell phones in flight, my major complaint is the morons who bring infant-2 year olds on flight who scream the whole d**m flights! Why cant they make a law banning that that, if they cant be respectful and quiet keep them at home for Gods sake or make them sit in the back and ban them from coming past 3 rows from the back.

 

[PhatAJ2008]

How did a cellphone kick off the autopilot?

That's possible?

 

[Britpilot]

my major complaint is the morons who bring infant-2 year olds on flight who scream the whole d**m flights! Why cant they make a law banning that that, if they cant be respectful and quiet keep them at home for Gods sake or make them sit in the back and ban them from coming past 3 rows from the back.

You're kidding right? we're talking about a two year old here, they do not know what respectful is yet. I suspect their parents paid for the ticket which makes them a customer. I have taken my son on many flights (he is five now) Guess that makes me a moron.

 

[NookyBooky]

I have taken my son on many flights (he is five now) Guess that makes me a moron.

...only if you can't keep his trap shut

 

[NookyBooky]

I've never used one on a commercial flight, b/c rules are rules, and quite honestly....having 100+ people yacking on their cell phones would be irritating.

The only thing worse is sitting next to a fat person for five hours.

 

[uh60james]

How did a cellphone kick off the autopilot?

That's possible?

Phones can cause interference but it is highly unlikely it would kick off an autopilot. I am sure the autopilot was shielded against most normal interference which would probably include phones.

 

[prpjt]

I heard the only known interference was with the anti-skid operation. But I was hoping to hear it again here, cause I don't beleive it. I think T-Mobile, Cingular, and Nextel, which I beleive are all GSM, will cause interference.

Good Morning Everyone

Several navigation problems are sighted in a Boing report. One of the more interesting was a PDA that caused the plane to turn. The pilots retrieved the PDA from the cabin and tested their theory. Turn PDA on, aircraft turned left. Turn it off, plane goes back to level. They reproduced the anomolie several times in flight, but were not able to reproduce it on the ground.

That seems to be the biggest problem, reproducing the problem. There is not much doubt that devices can cause problems, but it's hit and miss.

Quote:
Originally Posted by troy
On the basis of annoying people, what is the difference between the seat back phone and a cell? Only the price it takes to use it. I have not heard of anybody on this board complain about seat back phones yet.......

A cell phone and aircraft phone are two completely different animals. All certified equipment in aircraft is designed to be shielded from electromagnetic interference up to a certain point. Aircraft electronics are also designed to have a limit on how much EMI they radiate. Consumer electronics have been found to emit well over this design threshold.

As far as personal experience, if my cell is in the copilot's seatback pocket, it will completly scramble my PFD while it's ringing. Looks like scrambled porn in a hotel room. My wife's phone however, doesn't have this scambled porn capability.