iPhone - Aircraft Mode - not enough for some
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iPhone - Aircraft Mode - not enough for some
Was on an Iberia flight the other day and put my iPhone into Airplane Mode when requested.
This was not enough for the cabin crew who asked that I completely shut down the phone. I politely pointed out I thought that "Airplane Mode" was invented for this scenario, but they were insistent so I turned it off completely without a fuss.
Is this normal on some airlines? It seems likely that she was not mistaken as surely she seemed to specifically suggest that Airplane mode wasn't enough. Which other airlines do this, and why don't they trust Airplane Mode?
This was not enough for the cabin crew who asked that I completely shut down the phone. I politely pointed out I thought that "Airplane Mode" was invented for this scenario, but they were insistent so I turned it off completely without a fuss.
Is this normal on some airlines? It seems likely that she was not mistaken as surely she seemed to specifically suggest that Airplane mode wasn't enough. Which other airlines do this, and why don't they trust Airplane Mode?
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iPhone - Aircraft Mode - not enough for some
When in Rome, do as the Romans do...
It's easiest and best to do as requested, to be honest. Your phone won't be damaged for its time out, and the nice ladies don't have an anecdote at the end of the day of another pax who tried to tell them their job...
It's easiest and best to do as requested, to be honest. Your phone won't be damaged for its time out, and the nice ladies don't have an anecdote at the end of the day of another pax who tried to tell them their job...
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What phase of flight were you in? If you were below 10,000ft then airplane mode is not acceptable in just about every company I can think of. Airplane mode is for using your device above 10,000ft.
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to be clear i wasn't questioning doing as told, but whether the policy to shut it off completely was common.
judging from the replies above it suggests it is, but many times i've heard that "phones with a flight safe mode myst have that enabled now" (for t/o etc.). this implies the apple flight mode is sufficient.
pretty sure (or at least it seems) airplane mode is enough for e.g. easyjet in all phases of flight.
judging from the replies above it suggests it is, but many times i've heard that "phones with a flight safe mode myst have that enabled now" (for t/o etc.). this implies the apple flight mode is sufficient.
pretty sure (or at least it seems) airplane mode is enough for e.g. easyjet in all phases of flight.
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When they make the announcement, they want you to activate flight mode and then turn off your device. That way when you turn it on above 10,000 feet, it is already on airplane mode and won't start looking for a signal.
Last edited by zondaracer; 28th Sep 2013 at 05:23.
Thread Starter
I realise I didn't really explain properly, above, what the scenario was. Usually I put the phone in Airplane Mode, and just press the off button on the iPhone so the screen goes black and isn't being/can't be used.
On the occasion above with Iberia - having put the phone in Airplane Mode and turned off the screen so it was black/off - the attendant clearly stated this was not enough and asked me to shut the phone down completely - i.e. hold the off-button for 5 secs and swipe to shut down the phone - so it has to be rebooted from scratch to start again.
My question was about the policy to insist on this complete shut down - I've only ever seen this requested once and wondered if this further step was formally trained/policy.
I suppose another question is - does an iphone in airplane mode with a black/off screen count as off? Do many airlines make the distinction?
Thinking about it is possible that the Iberia attendant was understood the difference between black screen and full shut down and took the view the phone was not technically off, whereas most don't seem to make a distinction.
On the occasion above with Iberia - having put the phone in Airplane Mode and turned off the screen so it was black/off - the attendant clearly stated this was not enough and asked me to shut the phone down completely - i.e. hold the off-button for 5 secs and swipe to shut down the phone - so it has to be rebooted from scratch to start again.
My question was about the policy to insist on this complete shut down - I've only ever seen this requested once and wondered if this further step was formally trained/policy.
I suppose another question is - does an iphone in airplane mode with a black/off screen count as off? Do many airlines make the distinction?
Thinking about it is possible that the Iberia attendant was understood the difference between black screen and full shut down and took the view the phone was not technically off, whereas most don't seem to make a distinction.
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I understood perfectly the first time. Screen black doesn't count. It seems that previously the other flight attendants didn't want to make a big deal about it or they thought your phone was all the way off, but in all companies that I know of, you are supposed to shut it down all the way.
Last edited by zondaracer; 28th Sep 2013 at 08:41.
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Probably not trained specifically on the iPhone, because frankly there are thousands of different kind of electronic devices out there, but they are taught that only airplane mode and screen black is not enough.
How strict the flight attendants are depends on the individual person, for example I have seen ryanair flights push back with a handful of passengers still standing trying to get their bags in the overhead. At that point they just wanted everyone seated, and cellphones were the least of their concern.
How strict the flight attendants are depends on the individual person, for example I have seen ryanair flights push back with a handful of passengers still standing trying to get their bags in the overhead. At that point they just wanted everyone seated, and cellphones were the least of their concern.
Last edited by zondaracer; 28th Sep 2013 at 08:51.
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You can't run your mobile phone in take-off and landing. If electronic devices are allowed you must set up it to Airplane Mode that deactivate all networks in you phone. Well, I don't know if you wanna connect to internet what you need to do. Remember, if you're in Airplane Mode Wifi is deactivated too. So, Deactivated only your mobile networks and wifi for take-off and in the air, connect wifi.
Anyway, In Spain all airlines said "Mobile devices aren't allowed during all the fly". I can remember that in the USA isn't like this.
Anyway, In Spain all airlines said "Mobile devices aren't allowed during all the fly". I can remember that in the USA isn't like this.
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IPhone black screen.... I would think it was turned off! You know the phone isn't off at black screen, if you were on the ground and someone called your black screen it would still light back up again!
Not sure what size aircraft you were on but if I asked to test every phone I clapped eyes on Cabin Secure would never get passed.
It is my airlines policy to have phones put in flight mode 'in preparation for departure' and switched off for take off and landing. Also it's not just mobile phones that are to be switched off its all electronic devices - even kindles are required to be turned off!
zondaracer is correct as well - how this is policed depends entirely on the crew and there mood probably depends on your interaction with them. If on taxi out when pressure is on the crew to secure and pass this to the Capt if you thought that was the most appropriate time to question it (rightly or wrongly) I probably wouldnt be best impressed and would think you were being obstructive as opposed to inquisitive which you clearly are.
Not sure what size aircraft you were on but if I asked to test every phone I clapped eyes on Cabin Secure would never get passed.It is my airlines policy to have phones put in flight mode 'in preparation for departure' and switched off for take off and landing. Also it's not just mobile phones that are to be switched off its all electronic devices - even kindles are required to be turned off!
zondaracer is correct as well - how this is policed depends entirely on the crew and there mood probably depends on your interaction with them. If on taxi out when pressure is on the crew to secure and pass this to the Capt if you thought that was the most appropriate time to question it (rightly or wrongly) I probably wouldnt be best impressed and would think you were being obstructive as opposed to inquisitive which you clearly are.
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It is my airlines policy to have phones put in flight mode 'in preparation for departure' and switched off for take off and landing. Also it's not just mobile phones that are to be switched off its all electronic devices - even kindles are required to be turned off!
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Bit of background info about where the FAA stands on this topic nowadays:
Fact Sheet ? Portable Electronics on Airplanes
"FAA regulations already permit the airlines to demonstrate that a tablet computer will not create interference in the cabin as well as the cockpit. However, an airline would have to conduct extensive analysis and testing to address the differences in where the tablets are used, emissions from multiple tablets, and other considerations to demonstrate that unrestricted use would not interfere with any of the aircraft safety systems".
and
"Ultimately, testing is the responsibility of each airline."
There are press reports of a few days ago suggesting that the FAA would recommend allowing airplane mode during takeoff and landing but I could not find the source on the FAA website.
--M
Fact Sheet ? Portable Electronics on Airplanes
"FAA regulations already permit the airlines to demonstrate that a tablet computer will not create interference in the cabin as well as the cockpit. However, an airline would have to conduct extensive analysis and testing to address the differences in where the tablets are used, emissions from multiple tablets, and other considerations to demonstrate that unrestricted use would not interfere with any of the aircraft safety systems".
and
"Ultimately, testing is the responsibility of each airline."
There are press reports of a few days ago suggesting that the FAA would recommend allowing airplane mode during takeoff and landing but I could not find the source on the FAA website.
--M
Last edited by Machdiamond; 29th Sep 2013 at 17:50.
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No matter how ludicrous it really may be, unfortunately each FA is bound by the rules and regulation of the FAA (or some equivalent overseas) and therefore are required to carry out their duty.
Hopefully this will change sometime in the near future though so we don't have to chase people around asking them to turn off their phones and tablets.
Hopefully this will change sometime in the near future though so we don't have to chase people around asking them to turn off their phones and tablets.
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I fully understand why FAs have to abide by the rules.
I realise now that strictly speaking all iphones have to be fully shut off, though initially i thought that flight mode was sufficient and that the take off landing ban on use was just so FAs gad passengers attention if required. This is not the case.
The FA on iberia just noticed that when asked to shut it off I only put it in flight mode and put it in my pocket (I obviously was not trying to use it as I know thats not allowed)
There is a poster above confused about black screen - if in flight mode there is no RF so it can't ring in black screen mode. This is kind of the point, though I also understand there is technically a risk of interference with RF off, though in practice it is trivial. RF interference is a bit different, and can be annoying for comms.
I realise now that strictly speaking all iphones have to be fully shut off, though initially i thought that flight mode was sufficient and that the take off landing ban on use was just so FAs gad passengers attention if required. This is not the case.
The FA on iberia just noticed that when asked to shut it off I only put it in flight mode and put it in my pocket (I obviously was not trying to use it as I know thats not allowed)
There is a poster above confused about black screen - if in flight mode there is no RF so it can't ring in black screen mode. This is kind of the point, though I also understand there is technically a risk of interference with RF off, though in practice it is trivial. RF interference is a bit different, and can be annoying for comms.
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Allowing more ipad use in flight recommended by FAA goup.....
Airline passengers should be allowed to read e-books, send e-mail and browse websites throughout flights of Wi-Fi equipped planes, including during takeoff and landing, an advisory committee to the Federal Aviation Administration has concluded, a person familiar with panel’s work said today.
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If its switched on and in flight mode, flight mode can be switched off to detonate a bomb.
Above 10000 ft, it will be out of range of the mobile network, so can't be used to detonate a bomb whatever setting it is on.
If it is switched off, then it is a benefit to all, it can pose no danger, and more importantly, the bloody thing wont ring and annoy anyone.
I look at it this way, the airline owns the plane and makes the rules, the crew enforce the rules, and we abide by them or make alternative travel arrangements.
Above 10000 ft, it will be out of range of the mobile network, so can't be used to detonate a bomb whatever setting it is on.
If it is switched off, then it is a benefit to all, it can pose no danger, and more importantly, the bloody thing wont ring and annoy anyone.
I look at it this way, the airline owns the plane and makes the rules, the crew enforce the rules, and we abide by them or make alternative travel arrangements.
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I think you'll find at Easyjet airplane mode is not enough. The PA specifically states and as done for a few years that " devices with a flight safe mode should have this feature enabled now. THEY SHOULD THEN BE SWITCHED OFF for take off and landing. ". Some devices may be used when airborne, please see the inflight magazine for more information. "
Maybe you should listen to the PAs that are being made instead of talking!!!!!
Maybe you should listen to the PAs that are being made instead of talking!!!!!