Gizmodo Writer Tells What Grinds His Gears About Airlines

[Hooch Tan]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://gizmodo.com/5366128/giz-explains-how-to-fix-the-airlines-stupid-portable-gadget-rules?skyline=true&s=x' target='_blank'>http://gizmodo.com/5366128/giz-expl...kyline=true&s=x</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Until airlines can speak coherently about ebooks, smartphones, tablets and other traveler-friendly gadgets&mdash;and address the various states of rest between "on" and "off"&mdash;the system remains in a sphere of stupidity. Whether this is mildly annoying or potentially deadly remains to be seen."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1253792323.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>As much as I love gadgets, I am afraid I am going to have to side against Wilson Rothman of Gizmodo on his rather lengthy rant about using technology on airplanes.&nbsp; Do I think that airlines need to update their policy regarding the use of gadgets?&nbsp; Of course.&nbsp; I also recognize that I am buying a service from a company at their terms.&nbsp; Like it or not, airlines are not slaves to our whims or desires.&nbsp; Whatever their reasons for requesting that all electronics be turned off during take-off, landing or in flight are, as questionable as some of those reasons might be, are rules they they can stipulate on their service.&nbsp; Yes, people who are savvy with technology can easily differentiate and see the usefulness of different rules for different tech, but for simplicity, an attendant only really needs to know if a device is effectively on or off.&nbsp; I would not expect and attendant to be aware of every new piece of technology like I would not expect an average Joe to know what pivot tables are or the difference between left and right handed proteins.&nbsp; Surely we are capable of lasting a few minutes or hours without having our electronics.&nbsp; And for those of you who think you are being clever by "pretending" to turn your gadgets off, I applaud your sense of entitlement and savvy.&nbsp; It takes a lot skill and talent to fool someone who probably knows nothing or very little someone about electronics that your device is off.&nbsp; Okay, I've got my flame shield on.&nbsp; What does everyone else think?</p>

[whydidnt]

You're both right. As I see it, there are many, many electronics that won't interfere with airplane electronics and we should be able to use them during take off and landing. Airlines have taken the lowest common denominator approach and declared any electronic device off-limits. Of course they have. We can't expect every flight attendant to be an engineer and determine if your iPod will interfere or won't, can we? However, I probably can't even count the number of times I've been on a plane taxing for take off and a phone rings from within the overhead bin. We haven't crashed in any of those cases, either. ;)

There has to be a middle ground somewhere doesn't there? What if it was possible for an electronic device to be "certified" for flying, meaning it was safe to operate during take off and landing? Every certified device would have a bright red logo embedded on it so the flight attendant could easily determine if the device needed to be shut off or not. Device manufacturers could pay to have their device certified to support the cost of running the program, with the thought that they will make the cost up in additional sales....If I could buy an eReader certified for take off an landing I would gladly pay an extra $25.00. I'm sure others would say the same for MP3 player or video games, etc.

The reality, as Gizmodo points out, is that the current rule is 10 years old, and really needs to be updated to reflect today's world. Not only that it is difficult to enforce, probably isn't enforced very well, and we don't have airplanes falling out of the sky. Why shouldn't it be updated?

[doogald]

It doesn't matter to me either way - I'm okay with the current restrictions. I can see a limitation especially on take off and landing, which are critical events when you don't want people's laptops flying around if there is an emergency. But relaxing the restrictions would be fine as well, though I would prefer, however, for my own sanity, to maintain a restriction on listening to other people blather on their cell phones during a flight. I suppose that's a battle I'll eventually lose, but airline flights are bad enough without a bunch of people trying to shout over the cabin noise.

[Sven Johannsen]

I'm curious. How many here actually shut their phones off...not just put them in flight mode...when requested to turn off your electronic equipment?

Could be a survey, all the way off, just flight mode, just silence, what's an airplane.

I would agree that your attention should be on what is going on during takeoff and landing. In particular you should be able to hear, understand and respond to the flight attendants. Kind of tough to do with noise cancelling headphones on with heavy metal cranked up. Simple just to say, put away the distractions.

[doogald]

I keep my phone off during flights. (There is really little reason to have it on, actually.)

[whydidnt]

I keep my Blackberry turned off during flights, and my iPhone in flight mode. I turn the screen of my iPhone off during take off and landings, but do not completely turn the device off.

I don't pay attention to the attendants during the pre-flight drill because I've heard it hundreds, if not thousands of times before, and I'm not listening to heavy metal, or any music for that matter, and I suspect most people don't listen, even if not wearing headphones.

Think about this..... They come around and make sure you have your seat built fastened before pushing back from the gate. Then while taxiing (sp?) to the runway they tell you "to fasten your belt, insert the latch into the metal buckle". Why? They've already made sure you are buckled in, you obviously know how to fasten the seat belt, or they would have shown you how when doing the cabin check. I don't think the flight attendants even pay attention to what they are saying, or someone would have removed that line several years ago.

If the plane starts to shake, rattle or roll during take-off or landing, they'll have my undivided attention, until then, I'll be enjoying my book or magazine, thank you.

[Damion Chaplin]

Yeah, what's the matter with enjoying a magazine or book for those few minutes? Really, are we that short-attention-spanned that we can't live without staring at a screen of some sort at all times?

And why don't the airlines simply e-shield the cabin from electrical interference? That way people can play with their gadgets all they want in an enclosed space, isolated from all the plane's overly-sensitive electronics. I know it would cost money, but I'd be willing to pay the extra $$$ for an electronics-friendly flight.

[Hooch Tan]

I imagine there might be some technical reasons for not being able to put shielding around the cabin, having seen the mess of wires they have all over the place.

Sure, not all devices get turned off, but if their primary reason is to protect the plane's electronics, I imagine it is an effort to minimize the risk. But other reasons have been suggested which have nothing to do with electronic interference which are also valid.

I still think it is a matter of respecting the airline's service. They're dictating the rules of their service, and while we can make requests, I don't see it as a right to use my toys anywhere. Just like how I dictate seatbelts on all my passengers when I'm driving, aside from it being the law.

[Sven Johannsen]

Really, are we that short-attention-spanned that we can't live without staring at a screen of some sort at all times?
You might be surprised. Was in a mens room last evening, where a guy a couple of urinals from me was busy texting, with both hands, as he did his business. That's multitasking. Or obsessive. Not sure.

[Hooch Tan]

Did the guy at least wash his hands after?

[stlbud]

I swear! Some people need a 12 step program for their electronics. It has been proven that most electronics do not interfere with aircraft electronics. I believe the reason they want the equipment off is to have your undivided attention during critical periods such as approach and landing, and taxi and take off. These are the times when most accidents happen.

If you didn't listen to the preflight instructions, I hope you are not between me and the aisle or door. I don't want to wait while you try to figure out if you should grab your seat cushion or be looking for a jacket under the seat.

[jdmichal]

This is why I always have a book packed with me for flights, and usually buy a magazine also if I see a good one. I actually look forward to being disconnected sometimes. I do find it annoying when we go to land and I'm in the middle of a DS game, but that's what they invented suspend mode for.

Also, I'm pretty sure any state where it's not actually running, such as a suspend mode, would be considered "off". Any possible interference would be caused by electronic noise, which the machine will simply not produce in a suspended state. The truth is that most modern electronics never really turn off unless you remove the battery.

[racerx_]

maybe i'm the only one, but i just think the no electronics thing is so ridiculous. I guarantee that the electronics in the plane itself are way more powerful than anything in my cell phone, and there's a way higher chance from the plane interfering with ITSELF than my cell phone doing anything detrimental..

they have the right to make whatever rules they want, but it's quite ridiculous that it's just based on suppositions and possibilities... i think some proper testing should be done and results published.

i turne my phone off or flight mode for most flights just so the radio isn't trying to connect and running my battery down, but my phone goes on the minute i can see terra firma out the window :D

[David Tucker]

maybe i'm the only one, but i just think the no electronics thing is so ridiculous. I guarantee that the electronics in the plane itself are way more powerful than anything in my cell phone, and there's a way higher chance from the plane interfering with ITSELF than my cell phone doing anything detrimental..

they have the right to make whatever rules they want, but it's quite ridiculous that it's just based on suppositions and possibilities... i think some proper testing should be done and results published.

i turne my phone off or flight mode for most flights just so the radio isn't trying to connect and running my battery down, but my phone goes on the minute i can see terra firma out the window :D

I actually agree with you...I just didn't see any point in chiming in to interrupt all the people who are glad that they get an electronic reprieve on a plane (seriously people...you are allowed to turn your gadgets off on your own. On the rare occasion I don't want my phone I turn it off!)

I disagree though about the cellphones not causing interference. That's the most believable. I've seen them cause all sorts of weird effects while sitting next to a wire.

Something like an MP3 player though? Doubtful.

[jdmichal]

I do also enjoy those times outside of the airplane too :)

And I'd hate to be on your plane when the wires leading to the plane's control surfaces suddenly becomes a new antenna for your phone's wireless signal. Nothing like signal noise on a control line to give you a nice, smooth flight!

[David Tucker]

Funny thing...we have this conversation and here I am saying hello from 40K feet! Thanks AirTran!:p

[Cybrid]

I'd say the #1 reason I would want electronics to be turned off is not from affecting the aircraft, but to prevent it from becoming a projectile.
If you've seen cabin footage from extremely turbulent flights, everything from people to books to unsecure luggage goes flying around the cabin.
Your blackberry might go flying mid text. :)

Once you've reached a "safer" altitude, have at it.