If you've flown once - and paid attention that first time - you should know what to do.....
Again - this isn't complicated stuff.
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Flight Attendants Union Challenges FAA Decision Allowing Passengers to Use Electronics in All Phases of Flight
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If you've flown once - and paid attention that first time - you should know what to do.....
Again - this isn't complicated stuff.
WiFi was never the problem. It's relatively low power, and in a frequency band that is less likely to interfere with navigation and communication radios.
Cell phones are different. Transmissions are higher power. And, the frequency bands are much closer to the ones uses for aircraft navigation. Harmonics are more likely to interfere. And the square edges of the GSM modulation scheme seems to cause problems in even audio systems (like the pilot's intercom).
But, the regulations didn't make the distinction: the FAA simply said: "aircraft operators are responsible for ensuring any transmitter doesn't interfere." The FCC is actually the agency that bans airborne cell phones, for different reasons.
The rule was created for good reasons. You can look through reports on NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), and you will find plenty of reports of interference. The GSM modulation creates a distinctive sound, and pilots have reported actually hearing conversations from passengers using earlier analog cell phones.
But from a technical standpoint, there are also good reasons to relax the rule today. Today's consumer devices are less likely to interfere. A WiFi and/or cellular pico-cell on the airplane actually reduces interference by giving consumer devices something to which they can connect, and use a greatly reduced transmission power to maintain the connection.
(Full disclosure: while my profession is computer engineering, I'm an instrument rated pilot and hold an amateur radio license. And you take this to the bank: anyone that tells you a consumer electronic device cannot or should not be able to interfere with aircraft navigation radios doesn't know what they are talking about. Period.)
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I would think the safety instructions are the same for everyone, so once u've seen it for one flight, why should u need to take notice of it when u fly next?
Usually, i just 'tune out'.... I act when/IF it happens.. but it never has....
It's like saying "your gonna take precautions in case of bombing" in a non-effective area...
ok... go ahead, but i got better things to do.
Usually, i just 'tune out'.... I act when/IF it happens.. but it never has....
It's like saying "your gonna take precautions in case of bombing" in a non-effective area...
ok... go ahead, but i got better things to do.
If I'm not mistaken, the FAA takes precedence over a flight attendants' union when it comes to what passengers are and are not allowed to do on an aircraft. I'm sure some flight attendants really miss having the ability to go on power trips with passengers but they're just going to have to deal.
They should make it interesting, change it up, maybe put jokes in, make it a show, dancing girls and all that jaz. Then people will watch and listen.
I've actually seen that happen: one Christmas Eve, the entire pre-flight briefing was in verse, to "Twas the Night before Christmas." An example:
"In the unlikely event the plane becomes a boat, the cushion under your seat can be used as a float".
I've also seen flight attendants perform the equivalent of a stand-up comic routine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNx5-bEKk8A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPfya60FYo4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9lZV_828OA
You can find more on YouTube. The passengers pay attention to these briefings.
How about an iBeacon app showing a recommended exit route based on your real-time seat location?
Now that's funny.
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You should understand the policy the FAs are arguing against before saying that.
If my using a cell phone to text, e-mail, or play a game distracts someone to the point that they are unable to pay attention to a safety demonstration on a plane, how in the hell do they get anything else done in life with dozens to hundreds of people around them at any given time all on their phones?!
Now, if some jackass has the volume turned all the way up on his phone, any nearby passenger can easily ask them to turn the sound down.
I was on a 5 hour transcon recently and I was literally e-mailing and texting the entire flight. No one around me seemed to mind one bit; but then again, I had the common sense to put my phone on silent as I was boarding the plane.
Try reading the article before commenting. This isn't about using the phone part of any device.
A whole page of union-bashing replies
Recent test shave show that wifi signals can make modern flight control screens go blank.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29445385
The FAA shave said "We are issuing this AD [airworthiness directive] to prevent loss of flight-critical information displayed to the flight crew during a critical phase of flight, such as an approach or take-off, which could result in loss of airplane control at an altitude insufficient for recovery, or controlled flight into terrain,"
Sad to see such idiot union-bashing on here, when all they are doing is trying to survive work.
Oh and iPads are far more dangerous projectiles than magazines. Try smacking the edge of each against your head.
Recent test shave show that wifi signals can make modern flight control screens go blank.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29445385
The FAA shave said "We are issuing this AD [airworthiness directive] to prevent loss of flight-critical information displayed to the flight crew during a critical phase of flight, such as an approach or take-off, which could result in loss of airplane control at an altitude insufficient for recovery, or controlled flight into terrain,"
Sad to see such idiot union-bashing on here, when all they are doing is trying to survive work.
Oh and iPads are far more dangerous projectiles than magazines. Try smacking the edge of each against your head.
How are they affected if I'm reading while the safety message is announced?
http://www.farecompare.com/news/wi-fi-on-planes-which-airlines-have-wi-fi-and-what-it-costs/
If it causes screen to go blank why would they offer wifi ?
If it causes screen to go blank why would they offer wifi ?
The FAA told me I could use my device at any point while I am a guest on the aircraft as long as the cellular radio is turned off once the cabin door is closed. Since the FAA has final authority over the skies over the United States and the vessels that occupy those skies, I tend to listen to their directives.
Because the chances are in a real emergency you won't have a clue what to do and potentially put others at risk.
But don't worry as I'm sure those complaining air stewerds will still save your life..
Maybe it's because I always fly out of the Midwest, but I wouldn't call it an "eye-candy profession" these days unless you're over 50 years old (or into cougars).
That said - they do a great job corralling the idiots who don't know how to fly (or seem to think they're more important than everyone else on the plane) that I'd otherwise have to deal with directly. And while I don't have direct experience with this, they're probably useful in the event of a major flight/landing problem.
Like others have said... if turning off your device for 10-15 minutes on either end of the flight is too hard or too much of an inconvenience, you have a personal problem. Read the in-flight magazine, say hi to your neighbor, take a nap, look out the window (my go-to activity), whatever. You aren't THAT important.
The airlines are subject to government regulations. the FAA is part of the government. The airlines need to accommodate the regulation the government has set.
Besides, as soon as I get the PPL, I can rent any plane I'd like that I am certified for.
Your move.
BL.
Actually I've been on many flights where specific info was given, just like you describe. And I heard an airline expert say one time that knowing exactly where the exits are in deletion yo your seat. He advised not to know the row number but to count the rows because in an emerbpgency you might not be able to see the row numbers (due to smoke) but could count as you walked. So I always check out the exits and know how many rows forward or back of my seat. And come on, it's not hard to just look around to see the exit sign. I don't need the FA to tell me row 22 is an exit although they do.
On another note, I've always thought using earphones/buds were a higher safety concern since you might not hear critical announcements. Can't count how many times a seat mate has removed their earphones and asked "what did he say?"
Basically I see it as just simply be aware of your surroundings. Yes, it's great to read/watch a movie/listen to music. But don't completely shut out the world (as appealing as that may be). Like driving, situtational awareness is needed.
They don't, the rule is pointless. Though it's a good idea to anyway, to prevent your phone from skipping around cellphone towers and wasting battery life.