Originally Posted by derekl
The battery detach thing is yet another Red Herring. It's not true either, other things are much more likely to cause a spark -- how about static discharge from car to key -- or human being? It happens all the time.
Quite right - just as a side note, it's actually pretty difficult to ignite petrol (or the fumes). Even a cigarette is unlikely to do it, believe it or not. (NB - rest of this post isn't in direct response to you, Derek, was just latching on to that thought).
However, it is still possible, regardless of the likelihood. Just as it's theoretically possible that a signal being broadcast from one or many mobile phones could cause an issue with other electronics (to whit the previously mentioned interference we've all heard on landlines or speakers etc when a mobile is nearby).
So, to the wider point - given the possible outcomes of both ignited petrol near a car being refuelled and an aircraft's systems being compromised (regardless of the % chance of anything happening) , it's surely in everyone's best interests to comply with the procedures laid out? It's not really that much of a hardship to turn off a phone is it?
And to those who think it is...you're really not that important you know
The world won't stop turning if you can't make a phonecall. And if it was that important to your company/family/whatever...then it's important enough for you to miss the flight and not get on the plane in the first place.