Do you turn off your phone on the airplane?

Do you turn off your phone?

  • Yes, I turn it off when asked to do so.

  • No, I put it in 'airplane' mode the whole time.

  • No, I leave it on the whole time.

  • Other.


Results are only viewable after voting.

Lithium381

Lifer
May 12, 2001
12,452
2
0
Just curious. . . lots of people don't turn their phones off when asked to do so. I just assume they're HELLA smart engineers or semething and know something about radiation that I don't know.. does it have to do with signals interferring with the planes function? What about fcc 15 subpart J? Or does it have to do with signalling terrorists OUTSIDE the plane what's going on on the plane when taking off and landing?
 

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
7
81
If having your phone turned off was actually important, they'd be checking very very carefully. They just want you to pay attention during landing/takeoff in case something goes wrong.
 

natto fire

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2000
7,117
10
76
I turn mine off while walking down the jetway, but I also read paper books and don't have a smart phone, so I am not really one with the times.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
I turn it off, but that's because a cellphone without signal (airplane mode) is pretty worthless, so I'd rather have the full battery when I arrive at my destination.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
57,981
8,219
126
I don't have a phone, but if I did, it would be off or in airplane mode most of the time. Presumably it would be off on the plane also. What it sounds like you're asking though, is does it matter. The answer is no.
 

Lithium381

Lifer
May 12, 2001
12,452
2
0
I turn it off, but that's because a cellphone without signal (airplane mode) is pretty worthless, so I'd rather have the full battery when I arrive at my destination.

no games or ebooks to pass the time?
 

sourn

Senior member
Dec 26, 2012
577
1
0
You do realize if it was such a big deal they wouldn't let you carry them on in the first place. Do you really think these airlines are so naive they believe EVERYBODY will listen to them?
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
no games or ebooks to pass the time?

If I'm going to read, it will be on a Kindle or in actual print. If I'm going to play games, it will be on a proper computer at home. Cellphone games are just not fun for me...too small, too simple, and waaaay too battery-hungry. Reading ebooks on a cellphone sounds like the seventh circle of hell.
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
If I'm going to read, it will be on a Kindle or in actual print. If I'm going to play games, it will be on a proper computer at home. Cellphone games are just not fun for me...too small, too simple, and waaaay too battery-hungry. Reading ebooks on a cellphone sounds like the seventh circle of hell.

My coworker does this which drives me insane.
 

MotionMan

Lifer
Jan 11, 2006
17,123
12
81
I use to put it in airplane mode all the time. Now, I don't bother unless, because it can drain the battery looking for a connection, I am going to be away from a charger for long.

MotionMan
 

Vaux

Senior member
May 24, 2013
593
6
81
This was on Mythbusters, wasn't it? I think they concluded that it was possible that the signals from a cell phone could interfere with the airplane electronics.
 

kyrax12

Platinum Member
May 21, 2010
2,416
2
81
This was on Mythbusters, wasn't it? I think they concluded that it was possible that the signals from a cell phone could interfere with the airplane electronics.

Would cellphones even get signals on an airplane traveling so far up?
 

bononos

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2011
3,911
172
106
Just curious. . . lots of people don't turn their phones off when asked to do so. I just assume they're HELLA smart engineers or semething and know something about radiation that I don't know.. does it have to do with signals interferring with the planes function? What about fcc 15 subpart J? Or does it have to do with signalling terrorists OUTSIDE the plane what's going on on the plane when taking off and landing?

The FAA/FCC are worried about cellphones interfering with aircraft equipment. I remembered some newer studies were done to check on problem and since the ban is still in place, there must be some risk even if its a small one.
 

SeaSerpent

Platinum Member
Sep 24, 2001
2,613
4
81
You would think that if there was any risk, you would not be allowed to bring it on the aircraft.
 

Eureka

Diamond Member
Sep 6, 2005
3,822
1
81
I don't believe any major aircraft equipment works on the same bands that cell phones do. But I am not an aeronautic engineer.

It's probably just so that it keeps passengers off their phones during takeoff/landing (the most dangerous points of air travel). Which is the same reason why they ask you to turn all electronics off during takeoff and landing. That and there's no reason why you really need to have them on anyway.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
yes because im not gonna use it on the plane. no point in leaving it on and letting the battery drain

i dont turn it off because they tell me to that IMO is a load of BS

I have a tablet for books/vids/games
I have a MP3 player for music

and i also have a laptop

and yes generally i have all of them with me when im flying
 
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EMPshockwave82

Diamond Member
Jul 7, 2003
3,012
2
0
I put it in airplane mode and then turn it off. If I want to play a game or something when I turn it back on it's already in airplane mode.

I'm glad they still have the ban. I don't want to sit next to the asshole that thinks it's ok to carry on a loud conversation on his cell phone in an airplane. I really don't want to be on the plane with 150 assholes all doing it either.
 

Snock514

Golden Member
Jul 20, 2009
1,071
2
81
I turn it off, not worth the slightest risk that it would interfere with the plane at all. Plus as others pointed out, having a charged battery on landing is much more important to me.