Just turn the damn thing OFF!

Posted on December 15, 2011 by KG

‘You’ve probably wondered if you really need to turn your portable electronic devices off and what the reason is. I spoke with the people whose ability to do their job is affected by electronics being left on — the pilots themselves — and found out they take this very seriously. Here’s why.’

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3 Responses to Just turn the damn thing OFF!

  1. Katie says:
    December 15, 2011 at 09:27

    Plus can you imagine being on a 5 hour flight sitting next to an idiot on the phone? Can you imagine listening to one side of an idiot’s conversation? It is a very good rule. Now can we get rid of children on a flight.

  2. Kirly says:
    December 15, 2011 at 10:34

    I believe the real reason is the immense cost to show the lack of interference on each type of aircraft.

    “Since 1991, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned the inflight use of 800 MHz cell phones because of potential interference with ground networks. This ban requires that in addition to the testing the FAA requires to show non-interference to the airplane systems, an airline would also need to apply for an exemption to the FCC rule before it could allow cell phone use inflight. The FCC proposed modifying this ban in 2004, but subsequently withdrew the proposal based on the comments it received.”

    I worked in avionics for a very long time. the cost of certifying a single model of an aircraft is immense – in the millions of dollars for each type of aircraft. so, you get a 737-900 ER certified for cell phone use but then you get to pay to get the 737-600 and then the 737-200. it’s ridiculously expensive . who wants to pay for that? airlines? why? then you’d just have passesngers complaining when, as Katie pointed out, some loud mouth freak won’t shut up. plus, airlines operate on pretty thin margins. the airframers? why? they exist to sell aircraft to the airlines who can imagine hundreds of reasons NOT to allow the use. who’s left? the govt? why would they? just another cost for little or no benefit. the people? never gonna see that level of organization, imo.