Cargo Cult
23rd Aug 2001, 16:38
I've posted something along these lines before, so I apologise for the repetition, but I'm still unclear about the issues involved.
Last weekend on an Aer Lingus flight (A321) we received the familiar notification about use of personal electronic devices in-flight. This prohibited the use of "...laser controlled devices..." (can't recall it verbatim) but allowed the use of laptops. I find this surprising, particularly as I own an old Grid laptop with a plasma screen which emits so much rf that it's capable of blotting out a TV set at 50 paces. On the other hand it seems unlikely that a mini-disc player with miniscule power consumption is likely to produce any significant rf at all. And what's the likely problem with devices containing low-power lasers - they're not specifically rf-rich surely?
I have absolutely no problem with refraining from the use of my mini-disc in aircraft, but the prohibition seems to be inconsistently applied. Anyone out there able to offer a concise summary of these issues?
Last weekend on an Aer Lingus flight (A321) we received the familiar notification about use of personal electronic devices in-flight. This prohibited the use of "...laser controlled devices..." (can't recall it verbatim) but allowed the use of laptops. I find this surprising, particularly as I own an old Grid laptop with a plasma screen which emits so much rf that it's capable of blotting out a TV set at 50 paces. On the other hand it seems unlikely that a mini-disc player with miniscule power consumption is likely to produce any significant rf at all. And what's the likely problem with devices containing low-power lasers - they're not specifically rf-rich surely?
I have absolutely no problem with refraining from the use of my mini-disc in aircraft, but the prohibition seems to be inconsistently applied. Anyone out there able to offer a concise summary of these issues?