Were walkmans allowed during the 1980's?
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Were walkmans allowed during the 1980's?
During take off and landing? Or were they required to be switched off? Just out of curiosity. I was wondering if all this hysteria about electronic devices on planes started with mobile phones or whether it's always been like that.
Likewise the first laptops predated genuinely portable mobiles. Were they banned also?
Likewise the first laptops predated genuinely portable mobiles. Were they banned also?
Last edited by t1grm; 26th August 2013 at 18:27.
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t1grm,
Try google ? Yields a number of results that include.....
Try google ? Yields a number of results that include.....
Since the 1980s, airlines have prohibited passengers from using any electronic devices while planes are in flight (and as they depart and land)
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All which hysteria? I haven't looked at the daily mail recently. Was another spoiled brat unfairly treated for not following the instructions of the crew?
I suppose I was referring to the fact that it is discussed more frequently now since the massive increase in smart phone usage. Before smartphones there wasn't much you could do on a mobile whilst on a plane.
P.S. Lot of angst on this forum it seems...
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From: London
In order to avoid being referred to as a spoilt brat (though I am sure many who read the DM are neither spoilt or brats) for the record I neither buy or read that newspaper.
To respond to the OP's enquiry - NO! There were no constraints on the use of walkmans or similar devices which generally reproduced music from tape. Such machines had no capability to emit signals which might interfere with aircraft systems, radio, navaids etc. as do "modern" devices (hence the "hysteria")
And in case the OP doubts my sources - I am well qualified to know having used both long and shorthaul since the early '60s, before such devices were either available or fashionable. (My first long-haul was in 1951, London Singapore return, when in flight announcements were barely audible over the din of P&W/Wright or RR Merlin power so they would have been inaudible anyway.)
I suspect if we had taken the entertainment of the day - a wind up gramophone - on board a Constellation in 1951 there might have been quite a party half way to Rome with dancing.............
To respond to the OP's enquiry - NO! There were no constraints on the use of walkmans or similar devices which generally reproduced music from tape. Such machines had no capability to emit signals which might interfere with aircraft systems, radio, navaids etc. as do "modern" devices (hence the "hysteria")
And in case the OP doubts my sources - I am well qualified to know having used both long and shorthaul since the early '60s, before such devices were either available or fashionable. (My first long-haul was in 1951, London Singapore return, when in flight announcements were barely audible over the din of P&W/Wright or RR Merlin power so they would have been inaudible anyway.)
I suspect if we had taken the entertainment of the day - a wind up gramophone - on board a Constellation in 1951 there might have been quite a party half way to Rome with dancing.............
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Thanks for the info. No reason to doubt your sources. Why would I? 
That does beg the question why we can't use "modern" devices in flight mode if walkmans etc were OK (during take off and landing that is). Also the advice seems to extend to non transmitting devices nowadays such as mp3 players, digital cameras and ebook readers.
P.S. I wasn't accusing DM readers of being spoilt brats. I was implying that turn of phrase was typical of the sensationalist terminology used in the DM.
That does beg the question why we can't use "modern" devices in flight mode if walkmans etc were OK (during take off and landing that is). Also the advice seems to extend to non transmitting devices nowadays such as mp3 players, digital cameras and ebook readers.
P.S. I wasn't accusing DM readers of being spoilt brats. I was implying that turn of phrase was typical of the sensationalist terminology used in the DM.
Last edited by t1grm; 26th August 2013 at 22:20.
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Unlike the old analog devices which worked only in the audio band, the digital ones have a 'clock' of several megahertz. In a badly shielded device there's a possibility of the harmonics of this clock radiating into the antenna cabling and interfering with navigation and communication. Cellphones and wi-fi and bluetooth enabled devices have their own transmitters which may create even stronger interference.
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I recall one Ms. Tina Turner, during the Private Dancer Tour circa 84/85, boarding a Twotter at PLH bound for LHR and being asked to removed her Walkman during the safety brief/demo but I do believe she was allowed to use it during flight.
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From: Confoederatio Helvetica
Thanks for the info. No reason to doubt your sources. Why would I?
That does beg the question why we can't use "modern" devices in flight mode if walkmans etc were OK (during take off and landing that is). Also the advice seems to extend to non transmitting devices nowadays such as mp3 players, digital cameras and ebook readers.
P.S. I wasn't accusing DM readers of being spoilt brats. I was implying that turn of phrase was typical of the sensationalist terminology used in the DM.
That does beg the question why we can't use "modern" devices in flight mode if walkmans etc were OK (during take off and landing that is). Also the advice seems to extend to non transmitting devices nowadays such as mp3 players, digital cameras and ebook readers.
P.S. I wasn't accusing DM readers of being spoilt brats. I was implying that turn of phrase was typical of the sensationalist terminology used in the DM.
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From: have I forgotten or am I lost?
Also the advice seems to extend to non transmitting devices nowadays
a friend of mine used to tune a particular frequency on an AM radio and borrow my Hewlett Packard HP35. (HP's first calculator.) He would punch in a particular series of numbers and the radio would pick the keystrokes up and play a music box tonal piece. quite well done actually.
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From: UK
I suspect the answer was that after you had spent your money on a Walkman, you wouldn't have been able to afford a holiday which involved flying.
My first one was circa 1980 as a student (Sanyo model) and I didn't go on a passenger jet until 1986.
My first one was circa 1980 as a student (Sanyo model) and I didn't go on a passenger jet until 1986.
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That does beg the question why we can't use "modern" devices in flight mode if walkmans etc were OK (during take off and landing that is). Also the advice seems to extend to non transmitting devices nowadays such as mp3 players, digital cameras and ebook readers.
FWIW, there was no initial problem with walkmans, however the arrival of the CD playing variety (supposedly non-transmitting) led to a noticeable surge in reported incidents. I have been involved in one such incident myself and quite literally seen the effects.
It is also worth mentioning that
non transmitting devices nowadays such as mp3 players, digital cameras and ebook readers
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It has (had) nothing to do with whether the individual item transmits or receives, or if that item could or could not impact the flight instruments in any way.
It was because if any device could, then all devices had to be "banned" because it would be impossible for the flight crew to know which devices, models, versions, operating systems, etc., do and do not affect flight instruments.
So, once it was discovered that there was such a thing as a device which affected flight instruments, they all had to be banned. Years later, the ban is slowly being lifted as everyone realizes that today's equipment is different and does not interfere with flight instruments on today's airliners.
It was because if any device could, then all devices had to be "banned" because it would be impossible for the flight crew to know which devices, models, versions, operating systems, etc., do and do not affect flight instruments.
So, once it was discovered that there was such a thing as a device which affected flight instruments, they all had to be banned. Years later, the ban is slowly being lifted as everyone realizes that today's equipment is different and does not interfere with flight instruments on today's airliners.
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From: Brazil
the CD playing variety (supposedly non-transmitting)
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My understanding has always been that EMF interference was secondary to the takeoff/landing procedure, this was to stop pax becoming totally immersed (as they seem to do even when walking along/across the street) in their beloved walkman, not listening to the safety briefing, and not being able to respond to or even hear sudden commands if an event happens during takeoff/landing.
In the same vein are those pax who talk loudly and/or hold up large broadsheet newspapers during the safety briefing.
I do often wonder how those who walk out across the street absorbed in their Walkman would cope with handling a light aircraft circuit single-handed, doing all the aspects of handling a turbulent approach, and keeping a lookout for other traffic, while keeping attention on hissy-scratchy static ATC for anything that might affect them, and getting their calls in on cue.
In the same vein are those pax who talk loudly and/or hold up large broadsheet newspapers during the safety briefing.
I do often wonder how those who walk out across the street absorbed in their Walkman would cope with handling a light aircraft circuit single-handed, doing all the aspects of handling a turbulent approach, and keeping a lookout for other traffic, while keeping attention on hissy-scratchy static ATC for anything that might affect them, and getting their calls in on cue.