If cell phones have Airplane mode...

[SSSnail]

Why cannot use cell phones on airplanes?

 

[Zeze]

Just to be 'safe', you can never trust the stupid masses.

Even cell phones on full mode don't do squat for airplanes. I think it's been proven over and over.

 

[Ichinisan]

I heard that "airplane mode" was never defined by the FCC nor the FAA. Manufacturers just made their own universal radio toggle and called it that.

 

[Train]

Last I heard the FAA was close to lifting the in flight cell phone ban?

 

[Red Squirrel]

 

[LTC8K6]

ipads are in use in the cockpit during flight. The FAA certified them for flight bag use a couple years ago.

 

[Zorander]

Because someone is bound to not bother with turning on the feature, or they're using an older phone with no such mode.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

You are allowed to use your phone in airplane mode on airplanes... Just not at takeoff, but that's with all electronics anyway.

 

[mizzou]

I've never been able to get a good signal flying anyway

 

[oynaz]

Just to be 'safe', you can never trust the stupid masses.

Even cell phones on full mode don't do squat for airplanes. I think it's been proven over and over.

Didn't the Mythbusters prove that you actually could affect an airplane's electronics with a cell phone? It was just very unlikely with the hardened electronics of a commercial airliner.

 

[bignateyk]

Last I heard the FAA was close to lifting the in flight cell phone ban?

oh god no. I'd probably jump out of the plane if I had to listen to someone yap on their cell phone all flight. :\

 

[saratoga172]

oh god no. I'd probably jump out of the plane if I had to listen to someone yap on their cell phone all flight. :\

Don't think you have to worry until they put boosters in the plane. No cell tower connectivity at 30,000 feet. Plus you'd be jumping between towers so fast.

 

[corwin]

Even in a turboprop at 12k feet I can't keep a signal long enough to send a text message, there's no point in having your cell radio on in flight

 

[xanis]

Didn't the Mythbusters prove that you actually could affect an airplane's electronics with a cell phone? It was just very unlikely with the hardened electronics of a commercial airliner.

IIRC they did a "worst case scenario" thing to get a problem to occur. The chances of one person's cell phone affecting the electronics on a modern commercial airliner are almost nonexistent.

 

[bignateyk]

Don't think you have to worry until they put boosters in the plane. No cell tower connectivity at 30,000 feet. Plus you'd be jumping between towers so fast.

I'm sure they'll recognize the opportunity to put a micro-cell on the plane and charge people to use their devices.

 

[IronWing]

Even in a turboprop at 12k feet I can't keep a signal long enough to send a text message, there's no point in having your cell radio on in flight

Which brings us right back to the Flight 93 conspiracy.

 

[corwin]

Which brings us right back to the Flight 93 conspiracy.

Not really, I think they were flying that thing below 12k, would have been in much better range for a signal

 

[Fingolfin269]

You can use your cell on a plane in airplane mode. Why do you think this is not allowed?

 

[bigrash]

I use my phone on airplane mode all the time when flying.

 

[StrangerGuy]

IIRC they did a "worst case scenario" thing to get a problem to occur. The chances of one person's cell phone affecting the electronics on a modern commercial airliner are almost nonexistent.

The whole airplane mode thing is mind-boggling stupid anyway. These things are designed to survive thunderstorms unscathed and they are telling me a few milliwatts of RF in clearly defined bands is going to crash a plane?

What's next, ban planes because their hulls can't withstand a.50 BMG bullet or a rocket launcher? You can't exclude the mere possibility of some lunatic gunman that shoot planes on a taxiway, amirite?

 

[rh71]

oh god no. I'd probably jump out of the plane if I had to listen to someone yap on their cell phone all flight. :\

How is it that people don't care what others hear during a phone conversation? I don't get their mentality. Everytime I'm on the phone I'm talking as quietly as possible because I simply don't want others to hear what I'm saying. Even in a cubicle office setting on personal calls.

 

[darkxshade]

Because the airplane doesn't have a cell phone mode

 

[rcpratt]

You can use your cell on a plane in airplane mode. Why do you think this is not allowed?

Maybe it was the Delta flight attendant telling me on Wednesday that "cell phones are not approved in flight, even in airplane mode."

That said, I've never actually had any flight attendants say anything to me for using my phone in flight (at the appropriate times).

 

[xBiffx]

This concern has absolutely zero to do with interference and the signal itself. It has everything to do with having your attention should an emergency arise during take off or landing.

Below 10K ft and close to an airport is statistically the most likely place for an emergency scenario in an airplane. Airports are to planes as intersections are to cars.

 

[jagec]

Maybe it was the Delta flight attendant telling me on Wednesday that "cell phones are not approved in flight, even in airplane mode."

Delta...aren't they the most disgruntled airline employees of all?