Sorry just off topic. I travel alot and am amazed at the increasing number of people who take their seat belt off before the Captain has turned off the seatbelt sign and then stand up. I have witnessed this a number of times lately on JQ and QF. The FA having to make a loud announcement to people to sit down and put the seat belt back on, this all happening whilst the aircraft is still moving.
I really hope airlines do not ever allow phone calls to be made on a flight. Imagine dozens of people making calls in a confined space throughout a long flight, what a nightmare scenario. It is already annoying enough when people talking loudly on the phones on buses, trains etc. I wish every country would follow Japan's example, where it is rude to make calls on trains and buses etc.
I had an amusing conversation about this today with a friend of mine who, until a few years ago, was a senior Qantas pilot. He's flown 737s and A330s. He told me that on 737s mobile phones have no effect at all, because they're "fly by cable". But on the A330s with newer "fly by wire", mobile phones do interfere with some of the electronic systems.
He told me that when he was piloting A330s, they'd always know in the cockpit when someone was using cellular on their phones, and he told me that it was a big pain in the **** because they'd have to call a flight attendant and tell them to go through the business class cabin until they found the person using their phone.
I responded "Oh -- so you can even tell which part of the plane the phone signal is coming from then?"
He replied, "No we couldn't, but the only passengers to ever use their phones were in business class"!
I think it only prudent not to use mobile phones whilst plane is at terminal or after take off, just in case it does interfere with electronics. Although the fact that WiFi is now being offered by some Airlines, soon by Qantas & Virgin Aust have intent to offer WiFi for use by passengers at a price, clearly says that they have overcome any issues of use of mobile phones on plane. I agree with observation made earlier about 300-400 people using their phones would be a nightmare in such close quarters & there is always someone that will 'take advantage'. I only fly with a reputable Airline, one that trains their staff in Customer Service, I do as I am instructed by flight crew & sit back put my feet up & enjoy the many hours of quiet time during flight. The thought of WiFi being available on flights in not so distant future, doesn't fill me with joy
Like it or not you're in a regulated environment where you are obliged to follow the directions of cabin crew.
Perhaps not the right place to make this point, but you don't have to follow all directions from cabin crew. You only have to follow directions lawfully made, that is to say within their legal authority. Any safety related matter is included, and that means turning off phones if asked to do so. Also included is leaving the aircraft if asked to do so - a contractual right of the carrier. But assume you were told to cease a quiet business conversation with your colleague about the stockmarket because a crew member had lost money on shares in a company being discussed (let's say not an airline company). Not a lawful demand. Probably never going to happen, but it makes the point - you have rights too.
I do agree with comments that we should follow the rule about putting the phone (device) into flight mode. I remember reading a while ago that one reason why phones were put in flight mode is that it can cause problems with the cell network. It was explained that a large number phones on a flight moving from one node to the next caused system problems.
I really hope airlines do not ever allow phone calls to be made on a flight. Imagine dozens of people making calls in a confined space throughout a long flight, what a nightmare scenario. It is already annoying enough when people talking loudly on the phones on buses, trains etc. I wish every country would follow Japan's example, where it is rude to make calls on trains and buses etc.
The guy should not have been using his phone through a cellular connection whilst in-flight for the simple reason that the flight attendants request phones are switched to flight mode when wheels up. It is just plain courtesy. Whilst many frequent flyers know there is no issue with the aircrafts radio signals caused by phone use there are also many flyers who are nervous and don't travel regularly who could be terrified seeing the guy texting etc in-flight. But seriously, if the flight attendants request you don't do something then DON'T DO IT. Simple. Manners cost nothing.
Any thought that the pax may have actually been using the WiFi service on board? Unless the OP had seen the person next to him with an SMS app open, it could have been anything...
Powerledger
Powerledger
Member since 01 Mar 2018
Total posts 14
Sorry just off topic. I travel alot and am amazed at the increasing number of people who take their seat belt off before the Captain has turned off the seatbelt sign and then stand up. I have witnessed this a number of times lately on JQ and QF. The FA having to make a loud announcement to people to sit down and put the seat belt back on, this all happening whilst the aircraft is still moving.
Powerledger
Powerledger
Member since 01 Mar 2018
Total posts 14
This being on the ground of course
Mrminivee
Mrminivee
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 05 Mar 2018
Total posts 20
Singapore Air allows cellular to be used (for a price). How's that any different?
Journeyman
Journeyman
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
Member since 11 Sep 2015
Total posts 30
You will NOT get a cellular signal at 30,000 feet. Yes you can on approach and after take-off below about 1-2,000 metres.
desafinado74
desafinado74
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 12
I really hope airlines do not ever allow phone calls to be made on a flight. Imagine dozens of people making calls in a confined space throughout a long flight, what a nightmare scenario. It is already annoying enough when people talking loudly on the phones on buses, trains etc. I wish every country would follow Japan's example, where it is rude to make calls on trains and buses etc.
Doubleplatinum Banned
Doubleplatinum Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
Member since 07 Feb 2013
Total posts 431
No they don't so it's quite different.
Sibelius
Sibelius
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 06 Aug 2017
Total posts 181
I had an amusing conversation about this today with a friend of mine who, until a few years ago, was a senior Qantas pilot. He's flown 737s and A330s. He told me that on 737s mobile phones have no effect at all, because they're "fly by cable". But on the A330s with newer "fly by wire", mobile phones do interfere with some of the electronic systems.
GigiPk
GigiPk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Mar 2016
Total posts 17
I think it only prudent not to use mobile phones whilst plane is at terminal or after take off, just in case it does interfere with electronics.
Although the fact that WiFi is now being offered by some Airlines, soon by Qantas & Virgin Aust have intent to offer WiFi for use by passengers at a price, clearly says that they have overcome any issues of use of mobile phones on plane.
I agree with observation made earlier about 300-400 people using their phones would be a nightmare in such close quarters & there is always someone that will 'take advantage'.
I only fly with a reputable Airline, one that trains their staff in Customer Service, I do as I am instructed by flight crew & sit back put my feet up & enjoy the many hours of quiet time during flight. The thought of WiFi being available on flights in not so distant future, doesn't fill me with joy
tommygun
tommygun
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
Member since 16 Oct 2017
Total posts 282
Perhaps not the right place to make this point, but you don't have to follow all directions from cabin crew. You only have to follow directions lawfully made, that is to say within their legal authority. Any safety related matter is included, and that means turning off phones if asked to do so. Also included is leaving the aircraft if asked to do so - a contractual right of the carrier. But assume you were told to cease a quiet business conversation with your colleague about the stockmarket because a crew member had lost money on shares in a company being discussed (let's say not an airline company). Not a lawful demand. Probably never going to happen, but it makes the point - you have rights too.
747sp
747sp
Member since 20 Sep 2017
Total posts 9
I do agree with comments that we should follow the rule about putting the phone (device) into flight mode. I remember reading a while ago that one reason why phones were put in flight mode is that it can cause problems with the cell network. It was explained that a large number phones on a flight moving from one node to the next caused system problems.
dm12
dm12
Member since 08 Feb 2018
Total posts 200
its still rude everywhere!
brettepi
brettepi
Member since 10 Jul 2017
Total posts 86
maybe they should have dragged the passenger off like the united airlines passenger? they certainly wont use their phone again...
airADL
airADL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 25 Mar 2014
Total posts 208
I m glad to have my phone off on board. It's the best peace you can have.
declanr
declanr
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 26 Nov 2017
Total posts 17
The guy should not have been using his phone through a cellular connection whilst in-flight for the simple reason that the flight attendants request phones are switched to flight mode when wheels up. It is just plain courtesy. Whilst many frequent flyers know there is no issue with the aircrafts radio signals caused by phone use there are also many flyers who are nervous and don't travel regularly who could be terrified seeing the guy texting etc in-flight. But seriously, if the flight attendants request you don't do something then DON'T DO IT. Simple. Manners cost nothing.
petercr
petercr
Member since 23 Sep 2015
Total posts 4
Any thought that the pax may have actually been using the WiFi service on board? Unless the OP had seen the person next to him with an SMS app open, it could have been anything...