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Proof That Cellphones and Airplanes Don't Mix
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maybe they should have helmets like Iron Man's so he can field his calls without bothering passengers (if the frequency won't interview with navigation etc..).
It would be pretty neat to have a bunch of Iron Mans flying around.
Watching Downey Jr. fly around in that suit made me want one. Can you imagine just whipping around city to city if you wanted to?
just thought I would change the degree of this thread a bit
It would be pretty neat to have a bunch of Iron Mans flying around.
Watching Downey Jr. fly around in that suit made me want one. Can you imagine just whipping around city to city if you wanted to?
just thought I would change the degree of this thread a bit
I don't generally have a problem with making calls if needed on the train.
The quiet coach is how the whole train should be exempting one carriage for families. It is generally pretty good though (I ride a bike, so always end up sitting in it).
It works fine in Singapore
.Finally someone without just an opinion about it.
the fact remains you CAN NOT make a cell phone call from cruising altitude.
This little thing called range...
You sound like you know what you're talking about....but a couple of years back I inadvertently forgot to switch off my digital-only Cingular tri-band phone during an Air New Zealand flight from LAX to Auckland (no, the plane didn't crash as a result) and was very surprised (and somewhat embarrassed) to be woken by my phone ringing as we passed over Samoa at 30000 Ft plus. It was some PITA guy in LA trying to sell me something...
Legal/illegal, feasible/non-feasible... I don't care. It is simply annoying to be in the presence of cell phone talkers. Most of us (yes, myself included) unconsciously raise our voices during phone calls. It is especially difficult in an airplane where you really have no other place to go.
It won't be the cell phone talkers that wear the ironman helmet, it will be the rest of us, trying to block out their prattle. Maybe Hammecher Schlemmer will sell noise cancelling helmets in the Sky Miles catalog soon.
It won't be the cell phone talkers that wear the ironman helmet, it will be the rest of us, trying to block out their prattle. Maybe Hammecher Schlemmer will sell noise cancelling helmets in the Sky Miles catalog soon.
Most private jets are operated under a management/charter company with its own GOM, so in that regard it's very much like an airline. As you said though, it's really up to the discretion of the crew. Technically we all know that the phones do interfere a bit with our comms (even if it is just an annoyance), which at that point makes them in violation with the FARs, but we just don't admit it. That way our passengers are free to do as they like.
It's pretty much a moot point as we climb out of usable cell phone range in just a couple of minutes, and most people don't think to use them during approach.
It works fine in Singapore
I don't care - I don't think it should be allowed.
Proof That Cellphones and Airplanes Don't Mix
I would go farther.
Proof that cellphones and captive audiences don't mix.
If you can't walk away from the intrusion, then they should be banned in whatever environment that is.
I would go farther.
Proof that cellphones and captive audiences don't mix.
If you can't walk away from the intrusion, then they should be banned in whatever environment that is.
You know what is funny? here in Europe the EU is prepairing to allow for mobiles to be used in flight, even when out of range of regular services, by having a repeater/forwarder on board that forwards all calls to a commercial satelite! Prob. a very costly business, but I think phones aren't that big of an isue anymore. If it ever was.
Soooo, I think the FAA is just holding on a bit too long to the rules.
On the other hand, listning to the people that work there wouldn't be much more than showing good manners!
Soooo, I think the FAA is just holding on a bit too long to the rules.
On the other hand, listning to the people that work there wouldn't be much more than showing good manners!
And having cell phones on Flight 93 did not affect the outcome.
It did provide excellent forensic material in the manner that the terrorists operated. That is invaluable.
I want the uQuiet feature on the next iPhone. You point it at annoyingly used phones and it causes horrible shrieking demonic curses (programable) and then silence for an hour. With a range of, say, 25 feet you could control a large area around you at public places, in rooms, transportation systems and in the next lane to you in traffic.
You could only use it maybe 5-10 times and then you would need a recharge fee. This would eliminate malicious over-use.
The u-series of features would be different than the i-versions. i is for helping yourself, while u would be for features that allow you to control others. They could be very profitable
You could only use it maybe 5-10 times and then you would need a recharge fee. This would eliminate malicious over-use.
The u-series of features would be different than the i-versions. i is for helping yourself, while u would be for features that allow you to control others. They could be very profitable
There is a fine because if I have to listen to some idiot gab on his cell phone for 8 hours straight I'm liable to strangle him. Hearing one side of the conversation is a lot more distracting than hearing both.
If you read my OP, you'd note that I agreed with the "shut them the hell off" philosophy. I travel for business about 40 weeks/120 flights a year, and I'm ready to kill the Crackberry fool next to me most days.
As a motorcyclist (when I'm not in the air), I am tempted to shoot most SUV moms talking to whoever the hell they feel they have to when driving. Being splattered because of someone's lack of attention/concern is not really my cup of tea.
My Faraday cage idea was only half-jest; maybe checking your electronics with the FA's on boarding would work. All I know is that it's annoying as hell.
As for going lower, I'm afraid you're on your own, there!
JohnNoBeatle, I fully agree. As a regular (12 x Per Annum) long distance flyer I can not think of anything worse than allowing people to use their phones on a plane. Half of them don't listen to the staff as it is, most on the phone always speak more loudly and most have no consideration of others when using them - ie during meetings/funerals/speeches etc.
Plus as a motorcyclist they are just one more hazard to contend with on the road - as if there wern't enough w**kers on them already. I vote Faraday!!!
except that yeah, i've had friends call me from cruising altitude with no problem. so i guess CAN NOT has sort of a shifting quality, hmmm?
of course i was like "oh ****, yer gonna crash the plane!" and hung up. so I'M the responsible one.
Finally someone without just an opinion about it.
the fact remains you CAN NOT make a cell phone call from cruising altitude.
This little thing called range...
I might like to point out that it is also about line of sight. There is nothing to get in the way between the phone and the tower to weaken the signal so it range is greatly inscreased.
Remember at ground level you have to deal with the fact the earth is not round, Hills, Buildings and so on. All that extra stuff greatly kills the range a phone can be from the tower.
But, more importantly, antenna radiation pattern. Cell phone antennas are specifically designed to NOT radiate above the horizon, that would be a waste of power, and as such highly unlikely. Any claims of connectivity whilst in a plane at altitude are purely from scatter, reflection/refraction, or ARP bleed over. That or BS.
I really didnt want to argue with people, because if it happened to them, who am I to say it didnt?
But I cant argue with the fact that radio waves arent infinite in strength and signal. Physics dictates the distance at which a cellphone can connect to a tower. And the way it works today, 5-6miles up is too far.
Just Plain Rude
I think yacking on your cell phone ANYWHERE in public is rude. In fact, in makes life for others a living nightmare. I almost never fly because I do not have the patience for all the hassles, but I have made a conscious chocie to give up my car and take public transit. Jerks on cell phones as well as those with loud i-pods who make the commute sheer torture make me wonder why I put myself through the sacrifice. I can see taking a call, saying what you need to and hanging up. But many are drama kings/queens who want to involve everyone else in their mini reality show. And old boss of mine, also with enough class to hate cell phones, actually caught someone on the Brown line in Chicago FAKING a conversation. Then her phone rang! Some of their conversations are pathetic. Ya I did lunch with so and so (insert some overrated celebrity) and then I'm going to dinner at (insert overpriced restaurant where insecure up and comers go to be seen.) Here is a news flash to everyone who screams at the top of their lungs in the mistaken assumption everyone is listening to them. You are just noise like the clicking of the tracks or the kid yelling its head off 3 seats down. We are trying to drown you OUT, not listening in fascination to your self-involved soap opera. Besides, my own life has been more interesting than anything you can make up! Yawn!!! Like a previous poster said "Get over yourselves!!!!"
I think yacking on your cell phone ANYWHERE in public is rude. In fact, in makes life for others a living nightmare. I almost never fly because I do not have the patience for all the hassles, but I have made a conscious chocie to give up my car and take public transit. Jerks on cell phones as well as those with loud i-pods who make the commute sheer torture make me wonder why I put myself through the sacrifice. I can see taking a call, saying what you need to and hanging up. But many are drama kings/queens who want to involve everyone else in their mini reality show. And old boss of mine, also with enough class to hate cell phones, actually caught someone on the Brown line in Chicago FAKING a conversation. Then her phone rang! Some of their conversations are pathetic. Ya I did lunch with so and so (insert some overrated celebrity) and then I'm going to dinner at (insert overpriced restaurant where insecure up and comers go to be seen.) Here is a news flash to everyone who screams at the top of their lungs in the mistaken assumption everyone is listening to them. You are just noise like the clicking of the tracks or the kid yelling its head off 3 seats down. We are trying to drown you OUT, not listening in fascination to your self-involved soap opera. Besides, my own life has been more interesting than anything you can make up! Yawn!!! Like a previous poster said "Get over yourselves!!!!"
Then, from your sig:
Kinda ironic, eh?
I agree that how some choose to employ their phones as a tool for broadcasting some sense of importance is annoying, but anywhere? With my travels, that's the only way I can talk with my family, coworkers, and clients. Sometimes, I can't choose to put myself in a closet to talk, but I do try to speak in a tone no louder than normal table conversation. I rarely have it set to anything but vibrate, and quite honestly, have no need or desire to talk about "deals" or any other puffery for the benefit of others. My dinner's getting cold, I want to finish the call and get back to eating!
As far as talking on the plane, forget it. I can barely hear myself think with all the racket already (not to mention always being right under a PA speaker). Besides, what's one missed call going to mean to me? I can't do anything about it for the next few hours anyway, that's what voice mail is for. If my life were that all-fired important, I'd take a private jet.
I think they all need to look at the plane as a refuge from business for a couple hours. It's a lousy office, and a bad place to make critical decisions. Plus, the rest of us aren't terribly impressed with deals that are only 5 or 10 million, anyway!
Like you said, they should get over themselves.I am talking about the people who speak as loudly as possible in an effort to be overheard by as many as possible. I doubt you deliberately crank up your voice then look around to see who is listening. Then do a hair toss and continue on with your best aren't I cute voice!!!