A Travel and vacations forum. TravelBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » TravelBanter forum » Travelling Style » Air travel
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Using mobiles in an aeroplane... NOT dangerous after all! (apparently)



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old October 15th, 2004, 04:58 PM
Tristán White
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Using mobiles in an aeroplane... NOT dangerous after all! (apparently)

I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found
out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls,
that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out.

Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have
always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that
it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones
that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper
than these rip-off phones).

I wonder whether all the flight companies knew it was a scam and
clubbed together, or whether only a couple of them knew and the other
companies simply followed suit.

So I wonder whether in the light of all these revelations, whether we
will now have all those announcements removed? Or will they try and
brush it under the carpet and hope that not a lot of people find out
about the little scam, and end up continuing with the subterfuge? Or
will they come clean and let people use their private phones? Or will
they come clean but give another reason for not using private phones
(eg noise pollution)? Interesting isn't it!

Also, will people who were fined for disobeying regulations, such as
that guy who got arrested for texting "I love you" to his wife while
on a flight, will be able to claim their money back....

Furthermore, will this see the price of onboard phones come down
dramatically (it took me a while to come back from the shock when I
got my credit card bill back after calling my wife from the Virgin
phone in my seat when flying London to Jo'burg in 2001!)

T'will be interesting!!!

TRISTÁN
  #2  
Old October 15th, 2004, 05:08 PM
Miss L. Toe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Tristán White" wrote in message
...
I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found
out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls,
that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out.


So now the question is will people who talk loudly into their cell phones on
planes be more or less annoying than people who recline their seats ???

I vote more annoying - especially if I am trying to sleep (in my reclined
seat).


  #3  
Old October 15th, 2004, 05:27 PM
Ivor Jones
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Tristán White" wrote in message
...
I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found
out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls,
that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out.

Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have
always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that
it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones
that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper
than these rip-off phones).


[snip]

It may or may not be dangerous to the aircraft systems, but no pilot I
know would let you use a phone on their flight, and I for one wouldn't
want to be on the same plane..!

In any case, avionics problems aside, how many cell sites do you think
you're going to access at 30,000 feet..?!

Ivor


  #4  
Old October 15th, 2004, 05:28 PM
ServiceTech
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 16:58:26 +0100, Tristán White
wrote:

I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found
out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls,
that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out.

Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have
always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that
it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones
that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper
than these rip-off phones).

I wonder whether all the flight companies knew it was a scam and
clubbed together, or whether only a couple of them knew and the other
companies simply followed suit.


Some pilots still disagree. They claim interferance with certain
equipment. As long as they disagree, I don't think they'll lift the
ban.

So I wonder whether in the light of all these revelations, whether we
will now have all those announcements removed? Or will they try and
brush it under the carpet and hope that not a lot of people find out
about the little scam, and end up continuing with the subterfuge? Or
will they come clean and let people use their private phones? Or will
they come clean but give another reason for not using private phones
(eg noise pollution)? Interesting isn't it!


I hope it stays as it is. No one will die if they can't use a phone
for a few hours. (No one had problems in the pre-cell era.) Fly time
is one of the few times that I get to rest. I don't want to hear
those lame tunes played, & everyone trying to talk over the other
person & cabin noise.

Also, will people who were fined for disobeying regulations, such as
that guy who got arrested for texting "I love you" to his wife while
on a flight, will be able to claim their money back....


I doubt if they will get anything back. A rule was in effect (no
matter what the reason). they broke the rules. Simple as that. Some
local laws are stupid, but if you break them, you pay.

Furthermore, will this see the price of onboard phones come down
dramatically (it took me a while to come back from the shock when I
got my credit card bill back after calling my wife from the Virgin
phone in my seat when flying London to Jo'burg in 2001!)


Problem is, you (and others) use the phone, and pay the price. Why
should they remove them? They're making money.

T'will be interesting!!!

TRISTÁN



  #5  
Old October 15th, 2004, 05:33 PM
michael turner
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 16:27:48 +0000, Ivor Jones wrote:


"Tristán White" wrote in message
...
I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found
out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls,
that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out.

Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have
always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that
it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones
that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper
than these rip-off phones).


[snip]

It may or may not be dangerous to the aircraft systems, but no pilot I
know would let you use a phone on their flight, and I for one wouldn't
want to be on the same plane..!

In any case, avionics problems aside, how many cell sites do you think
you're going to access at 30,000 feet..?!


Or NO cells whatsoever on trans-oceanic flights.

--
Michael Turner
Email (ROT13)

  #6  
Old October 15th, 2004, 05:33 PM
michael turner
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 16:27:48 +0000, Ivor Jones wrote:


"Tristán White" wrote in message
...
I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found
out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls,
that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out.

Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have
always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that
it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones
that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper
than these rip-off phones).


[snip]

It may or may not be dangerous to the aircraft systems, but no pilot I
know would let you use a phone on their flight, and I for one wouldn't
want to be on the same plane..!

In any case, avionics problems aside, how many cell sites do you think
you're going to access at 30,000 feet..?!


Or NO cells whatsoever on trans-oceanic flights.

--
Michael Turner
Email (ROT13)

  #7  
Old October 15th, 2004, 05:48 PM
Tom Peel
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Tristán White wrote:
I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found
out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls,
that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out.

Quote your source?

I doubt whether there has ever been a likelyhood of mobile phones
affecting the controls directly. However, it must be obvious that they
are a source of electrical interference. Everybody is familiar with that
bleeping noise on their hifi or PC when the phone rings. In fact, in
view of the amount of interference they cause, it's remarkable they are
approved to be used anywhere.

The energy bursts that mobile phones radiate could cause interference
on the voice channels used by pilots to communicate with ATC. A
misunderstanding between pilots and ATC caused by interference could
have fatal consequences.
Also, they could potentially interfere with the instrument landing
system. ILS uses groundbased transmitters operating in the MHz range. A
receiver onboard detects the centre of the signal beam and sends signals
to the autopilot to keep the aircraft centered on the beam. Interference
could cause the system to work incorrectly and send the plane off course
momentarily.
If mobile phones can conceivably be a safety issue in planes, I think it
is correct to err on the side of safety.
T.

Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have
always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that
it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones
that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper
than these rip-off phones).

I wonder whether all the flight companies knew it was a scam and
clubbed together, or whether only a couple of them knew and the other
companies simply followed suit.

So I wonder whether in the light of all these revelations, whether we
will now have all those announcements removed? Or will they try and
brush it under the carpet and hope that not a lot of people find out
about the little scam, and end up continuing with the subterfuge? Or
will they come clean and let people use their private phones? Or will
they come clean but give another reason for not using private phones
(eg noise pollution)? Interesting isn't it!

Also, will people who were fined for disobeying regulations, such as
that guy who got arrested for texting "I love you" to his wife while
on a flight, will be able to claim their money back....

Furthermore, will this see the price of onboard phones come down
dramatically (it took me a while to come back from the shock when I
got my credit card bill back after calling my wife from the Virgin
phone in my seat when flying London to Jo'burg in 2001!)

T'will be interesting!!!

TRISTÁN

  #8  
Old October 15th, 2004, 05:48 PM
Tom Peel
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Tristán White wrote:
I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found
out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls,
that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out.

Quote your source?

I doubt whether there has ever been a likelyhood of mobile phones
affecting the controls directly. However, it must be obvious that they
are a source of electrical interference. Everybody is familiar with that
bleeping noise on their hifi or PC when the phone rings. In fact, in
view of the amount of interference they cause, it's remarkable they are
approved to be used anywhere.

The energy bursts that mobile phones radiate could cause interference
on the voice channels used by pilots to communicate with ATC. A
misunderstanding between pilots and ATC caused by interference could
have fatal consequences.
Also, they could potentially interfere with the instrument landing
system. ILS uses groundbased transmitters operating in the MHz range. A
receiver onboard detects the centre of the signal beam and sends signals
to the autopilot to keep the aircraft centered on the beam. Interference
could cause the system to work incorrectly and send the plane off course
momentarily.
If mobile phones can conceivably be a safety issue in planes, I think it
is correct to err on the side of safety.
T.

Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have
always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that
it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones
that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper
than these rip-off phones).

I wonder whether all the flight companies knew it was a scam and
clubbed together, or whether only a couple of them knew and the other
companies simply followed suit.

So I wonder whether in the light of all these revelations, whether we
will now have all those announcements removed? Or will they try and
brush it under the carpet and hope that not a lot of people find out
about the little scam, and end up continuing with the subterfuge? Or
will they come clean and let people use their private phones? Or will
they come clean but give another reason for not using private phones
(eg noise pollution)? Interesting isn't it!

Also, will people who were fined for disobeying regulations, such as
that guy who got arrested for texting "I love you" to his wife while
on a flight, will be able to claim their money back....

Furthermore, will this see the price of onboard phones come down
dramatically (it took me a while to come back from the shock when I
got my credit card bill back after calling my wife from the Virgin
phone in my seat when flying London to Jo'burg in 2001!)

T'will be interesting!!!

TRISTÁN

  #9  
Old October 15th, 2004, 05:54 PM
Steven Sumpter
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Tristán White wrote:
I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found
out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls,
that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out.


Most planes aren't affected by mobiles, that is true. Some older planes
are, however, so don't go using your phone on any and all flights just
because you have read an article and think you know better.

A problem that still affects the use of mobiles on planes is that the
signal from a mobile high over land will reach a very broad area. Since
the same frequency is re-used many times in that area, it means that
several cells will be unable to use one of their frequencies.

Secondly the phone will be travelling extremely fast and so the cells
will have to handoff the call from cell to cell very quickly. That will
overload some systems, especially if a lot of people do it.

Thirdly the phone will have to pump up the output power to maximum to
bridge the distance from plane to ground and to get through the metal
skin of the plane. Your battery won't last very long.

Some enterprising airlines are planning to install microcells in their
planes that connect back to land via satellite or radio link. Mobiles
in planes will be able to roam onto these cells thus using much lower
power and solving the problem of blotting out frequencies across many
cells on the ground or handing off from cell to cell too quickly.
Unfortunately it also means that the airline can still set the pricing
and get a cut of the call charges.

http://theregister.co.uk/ has some details if you search.

Steve.
  #10  
Old October 15th, 2004, 05:54 PM
Steven Sumpter
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Tristán White wrote:
I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found
out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls,
that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out.


Most planes aren't affected by mobiles, that is true. Some older planes
are, however, so don't go using your phone on any and all flights just
because you have read an article and think you know better.

A problem that still affects the use of mobiles on planes is that the
signal from a mobile high over land will reach a very broad area. Since
the same frequency is re-used many times in that area, it means that
several cells will be unable to use one of their frequencies.

Secondly the phone will be travelling extremely fast and so the cells
will have to handoff the call from cell to cell very quickly. That will
overload some systems, especially if a lot of people do it.

Thirdly the phone will have to pump up the output power to maximum to
bridge the distance from plane to ground and to get through the metal
skin of the plane. Your battery won't last very long.

Some enterprising airlines are planning to install microcells in their
planes that connect back to land via satellite or radio link. Mobiles
in planes will be able to roam onto these cells thus using much lower
power and solving the problem of blotting out frequencies across many
cells on the ground or handing off from cell to cell too quickly.
Unfortunately it also means that the airline can still set the pricing
and get a cut of the call charges.

http://theregister.co.uk/ has some details if you search.

Steve.
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Why do tourists go into dangerous areas? JSTONE9352 Latin America 18 March 11th, 2005 11:41 PM
Caribbean travel is dangerous ! Tom-Alex Soorhull Caribbean 78 November 19th, 2004 04:56 AM
Mobile's First Year-Round Cruise Program! Ray Goldenberg Cruises 4 December 17th, 2003 07:16 AM
La Ceiba Dangerous for Gringos Richard Ferguson Latin America 13 December 5th, 2003 05:51 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 TravelBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.