Fliers Must Turn Off Devices, but It’s Not Clear Why

Re:Fliers Must Turn Off Devices, but It’s Not Clear Why by brc on Sunday November 27, 2011 @10:53PM (#3284429)

I once was talking to a pilot who swore first-hand that he had the plane doing odd things, asked the attendants to go through the cabin looking for people using devices and to shut them off. They closed down one particular laptop and the plane started behaving again.

Whether this is 'friend of a friend' type tale that pilots like to say (and co-opt as their own story) or not is difficult to say.

The same pilot also told me the main reason they don't want you using cellphones on a flight was because the base stations couldn't triangulate properly and identify who was making the call - which is clearly BS. Same pilot also freely admitted to using his own phone during flights.

I guess my point is that the pilots at the same time kind-of believe the official excuses, yet at the same time flout them and make up ridiculous reasons why they are official.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Fliers Must Turn Off Devices, but It’s Not Clear Why by marshray on Monday November 28, 2011 @12:06AM (#3284619)

I sat next to an off-duty pilot one time. He said the pilots really would only care during the final part of landing.

He turned on his cell phone and showed that it wouldn't pick up a signal anyway.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Fliers Must Turn Off Devices, but It’s Not Clear Why by watmough on Monday November 28, 2011 @01:04AM (#3284777)

From personal experience, texting can work up to about 7,000 feet, but voice didn't.

This was about 10 years ago, so things have likely changed.

[ Parent | on HN ]