Posted on 05/15/2009 3:25:03 PM PDT by Chet 99
You said — I’m talking about general flights and if the flight attendant tells me to turn something off so the plane can take off and land without crashing, then I’ll cooperate.
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I cooperate, too, especially since I don’t want to end up in the slammer — even if it is a few hours. It’s a terrible way to start a vacation... LOL...
But, the fact of the matter is that one airline will say something like that is unsafe while another one won’t. So, it’s obviously more arbitrary than “safety”...
And there is a lot electronic equipment that has less than 100% percent shielding.
I'm not familiar with the shielding in avionics, but I know that in terms of lightweight shielding, aluminum foil is the best, but tends to deteriorate after 10-15 years. And putting all the wiring in metal conduit would probably add too much weight to the plane.
Often for reasons of durability and flexibility a braided shield is used, but does not offer the same protection as solid metal provides.
Considering a lot of wiring runs all throughout the frame of the plane, my personal opinion is that on older aircraft, I think the more powerful phones (especially Blackberries and iPhones)could penetrate the shield's on some of the wiring and create unpredictable results.
Then again...I couldn't imagine an inexperienced Chicago-machine hack politician could become President...so there's that.
You said — Heh. If you fly in Georgia, its Delta or a crop duster. Delta makes you turn them off.
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You know..., I keep thinking if it’s that serious of a problem, they would make everyone “check in” all the electronics they think is a problem and not allow people access to it during the flight. But, they don’t. How do they know whether someone has a phone on or not? They don’t! It’s that simple.
I’ve even had the phone on during a flight to check the time or something else on the phone.
In addition to that, what about the laptops that everyone has, and is they are all *operating them* during the flight, too.
This whole thing is entirely arbitrary and it’s really bogus, actually...
Maybe the people allowed to use their electronics are in First Class and the flight attendents hope for flirtation and a wedding ring.
Can’t anger the wallet you want now can you? :)
what about the laptops that everyone has
Cell phones are offenders because they transmit, requiring a good deal of power blasting thru the fuselage. OTOH, a GPS would be fine, as its just a receiver. A laptop is a bit murkier... its a transmitter if you have bluetooth or WiFi turned on. Do airlines request of laptop users to turn off their laptop internet connections?
You mean you don’t trust TSA’s finest and their xray machine to protect you? : )
The pilot I referred to in my original post said as much. Well, about the cell phones anyway. According to my brother who works for Delta, the reasoning management gives the rank and file regarding the uses of laptops, ipods and similar is the fear of some type of malicious device being disguised in one of them. There is probably some truth to that, but I suspect that it has more to do with what other posters said about phones and whatnot irritating the snot out of other passengers
I have trouble believing this was a SWA FA. They are uniformly, without exception cheerful and good natured. The laser-beam comment might well have been a joke. The fact that this fragile flower of a passenger is still undergoing therapy tells me she’s a typical Bay Area whinging wacko. Wonder what the odds are that she’s driving a ‘92 Corolla with a broken antenna and an Obama sticker on the bumper? Somebody give me odds...
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