In case you haven't heard, Alec Baldwin was recently kicked off a plane at LAX for failing to turn off his electronic device when the cabin crew instructed him to do so. We all know that it's not fun to turn off devices during take off and landing, but we do it because it is the FAA rules. We all know the rules exists, but why? In this post we turn to the experts to get an answer on why we are instructed to turn off our devices during takeoff and landing.
Surprise, surprise, takeoff and landing are the most dangerous parts of any flight and the job of the airline and all of its employees is to get you to your destination safely. Anything that could potentially cause an issue is examined and taken very seriously and it is because of this and the accompanying strict rules set by the Federal Aviation Administration that we have one of the safest airspaces here in the United States. Why do we have these rules?
According to the FAA, there are still unknowns about the radio signals that portable electronic devices (PEDs) and cell phones give off. These signals, especially in large quantities and emitted over a long time, may unintentionally affect aircraft communications, navigation, flight control and electronic equipment. The FAA has issued guidance to airlines letting passengers turn on most PEDs after the plane reaches 10,000 feet. At a lower altitude, any potential interference could be more of a safety hazard as the cockpit crew focuses on critical arrival and departure duties.
Boeing, maker of airplanes states that: operators of commercial airplanes have reported numerous cases of portable electronic devices affecting airplane systems during flight. These devices have been suspected of causing such anomalous events as autopilot disconnects, erratic flight deck indications, airplanes turning off course, and uncommanded turns.
When we asked veteran flight attendant and author Heather Poole why the cabin crew instruct us to turn off our PEDs she added in addition to the reasons we've already listed that they are asked to be turned off, "because one phone may be OK left on, but 160 (the number of passengers on board a 757) will interfere," it is "so that passengers are paying attention in case there is an emergency," also "so that the devices don't get in the way if there is an emergency," and lastly "so that passengers are able to move quickly if there is an emergency."
As you can see there are clearly some very legitimate reasons for the law, besides it's the law. While we know it is important to obey FAA regulations, it is nice to know the reasons behind why we are asked to turn off certain PEDs during takeoff/ landing and are asked that cell phones be turned to airplane mode during flight. So hold your Words With Friends and Angry Birds action when being told to do so by cabin crew because while you might not think it's worthwhile, be a good human, obey the law and respect the others on the plane.
For additional reading, check out this fact sheet from the FAA.
(Images: Flickr member ColorblindPICASO and Paul Ingles licensed for use under Creative Commons)
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I'm fine turning off most devices, but I still say it's complete bullshit that they freak out over Kindles. With the wifi/cell turned off, the damn thing uses less power than a calculator, and even less than that if I stay on the same page! But nooo, I have to put the kindle away even though it's zero risk whatsoever.
There is no conclusive evidence that any number of cellphones would cause any interference whatsoever. The excuses about maintaining control of the crowd are probably more to the point, but still misguided. I can move just as quickly with my cellphone on as I can with it off. Those reasons aren't "very legitimate", they're nonsense.
If pilots are starting to use the iPad as electronic flight manuals IN THE COCKPIT why can't we play angry birds? I wouldn't like to be hit in the head by a loose iPad during takeoff/landing but then why don't they ban heavy books?
What is the issue with turning off the communication channels? I.e., why is there airplane mode setting profile on my Android? No wi-fi, no GSM. Can it still cause interference actively?
The biggest problem here are interferences that gsm and maybe wifi can produce, so it makes sense to turn the plane mode on. But I don't think it would be necessary to switch the mobile completely off, that bothers me a lot.
The electromagnetic field of devices can produce interferences combined with the on board systems. These are not tested to be electromagnetic-proof, since this kind of interferences can be really tricky and aleatory.
But the actual range of the field produced by an electronic device is pretty small. And the chance of interfering is really small (even if all were switched on).
It's all about crowd control. If an accident were to happen during takeoff or landing, they don't want people not hearing instructions due to earbuds in the ears. They don't want people failing to evacuate because the smart phone they were holding was jolted out of their hands upon some impact and they're searching for it rather than getting off the plane. And so on.
Crowd control. And when viewed that way, not only does it make sense, I can live with it.
An aerospace engineer friend of mine told me the reason is because below 10,000 feet, phones moving at 600 mph play hell with cell towers. There's a lot of calculation involved when handoffs are performed between towers. If you've got 160 phones at the same time, I suspect it could cause some trouble with towers near airports.
Occam's Razor people: You can never prove the negative, that NO phone or device interferes. The engineers have corellations, but no definitive proof in either direction. Blanket policies are easier to enforce - 'no exceptions.'
Don't look for conspiracy or some high-minded evidence when fear, uncertainty, doubt, and laziness will suffice.
Thank you for this informative post.
To others, grow up and get with the program! Is it asking so much? Is it worth even a small chance of interference?
My question is, why on most flights I've been on, the flight attendants don't enforce the rule.
This is pathetic, what a bunch of sheeople you all are. This rule is nothing but a ritual with no evidence behind it. VJ nailed it, it is pure intellectual laziness and superstition. It would be equally reasonable if they came through the plane looking for evil spirits before take off.
To those who say "but there's only a risk it does something bad, I can live with it" why would you not also live with a rule insisting all passengers remain in the brace position for the entirety of takeoff and landing. You know, just in case?
What's the big deal?
You can't live for 10 minutes without your electronic devices? If you don't want to turn then off, then don't fly.
If you want to fly then you accept their conditions, like no smoking and turning off your devices.
You know, it's their frickin' airplane. Passengers are just renting a seat. Play by their rules or walk. It's not a civil rights issue. Moving on...
Take offs are generally quick, but landings take can often longer than 10 minutes. (or at least, they tell you to turn off all devices much earlier than 10 minutes before you touch the ground.)
I once asked the flight attendant if it was ok that I didn't turn my digital watch off. She didn't get the humour. :)
They are pretty nice and usually don't mind me having the noise cancelling headphones turned on even while taking off and landing.
In my opinion; turning Kindles off instead of just turning their antenna off, insisting that phones are off and not in flight mode and not allowing people to use mp3 players is irrational fear and does not show our civilication in good light, blanket policy or not.
Whatever. Anticipate having to turn electronics off, do it, and if it's that big of a problem, complain on the ground. Get a petition together! Organize! Show the FAA that electronics are safe during takeoff and landing, and then maybe they'll allow them!
But until then, just turn them off. Everyone knows that they probably won't be able to get through to someone on an airplane until that person lands. We ALL get it.
I saw this post and asked the question. The boyfriend (a pilot) said that in all honesty it's hocum but if they tell you to do it. You do it, because who wants to be black listed and never be able to fly hey.
They let you use them during the flight, when the nav system is truly important. If you get off track you can get into serious trouble. So they obviously don't have that big a problem with it.
But we already knew that. Just turn them off, keep everyone happy. Like that panic stricken passenger two rows back who can see you playing Angry Birds and freaks out and gets your flight diverted to the nearest airport.
Shrug.
"But I have to turn off my phone for TEN WHOLE MINUTES?! AND MY KINDLE???" Whole lotta First World Problems in here. Maybe you should use those few minutes of being unplugged to reflect on how lucky you are to own an electronic device and can afford to be F###ING FLYING.
@Val J E - When they said this: "so that the devices don't get in the way if there is an emergency,", I think they're referring to larger items like laptops, rather than just mobiles.
@Val J E - When they said this: "so that the devices don't get in the way if there is an emergency,", I think they're referring to larger items like laptops, rather than just mobiles.
I was once made to put my knitting away because I might poke myself in the eye during takeoff and landing. The flight attendant was so anal that she wouldn't let me knit or read my kindle while sitting on the runway waiting for the flight crew to fix something because we may sudenly move without warning. Seriously.
I'm fine with turning it off. Sure kindles are just dandy blaa blaa blaa but it's far easier to just have a blanket rule rather than keep up with the thousands of devices on the market. Plus if you get to keep your kindle on then the guy next to you will pitch a fit because he can't have his nimble on blaa blaa blaa.
Survive for 10 minutes. Everything will be ok.
I hate to admit it, but I detest this rule because I'm completely aware that most air accidents happen within the first 5 minutes and the last 5 minutes of a flight, and it causes me a huge amount of anxiety. I can't stop picturing how grizzly of a death a plane crash must be.
So being forced to turn off the things that can distract and calm me and give my full concentration to the thoughts of being ripped to shreds...and worse yet, surviving it for a while... is brutal.
Worse yet, our local airport is a Northworst hub, and they have a rule about keeping your window shade open...which has never been even close to explained to me. So, if this freaks you out, you're forced to look at this too.
It's 20 minutes, you can live without your games and movies for 20 minutes. They want you to pay attention at the most critical point in the flight. I've flown with 2 toddlers and we were fine without any digital distractions. If you can't muster up to the obedience of my children than you should not fly. How do you think people flew in the 90's before small digital devices.
Alec Baldwin was great on SNL this weekend.
For those of you who think you can move just as quickly with a cell or without don't know basics of crowd psychology. Air flight attendants aren't concerned with any one individual action. These comments are all focused on one individual's thoughts or desires, but as any junior high teacher can tell you, if you let one person do something, everyone else will demand why they can't do it too. And if you have never tried to move a crowd, you will never understand how imperative it is for everyone to be on board. I've seen people with the most gristly traumas taken from the scene of a car accident to the ER, yakking away on their cell phones. There's been several reports of people on their cell phones who walked out in front of a train and got killed. Walked into a train and died!!!! The power of distraction on those things is incredible. Just turn the thing off for a few minutes. It's not a personal affront.
Why is it so hard for people to just let it go and turn off their phones. Deal with it, you're not 12. Whenever I see people complaining about this all i can think of is that they were the kids who laid on the floor and threw temper tantrums until their toys were returned. Brats. Grow up America.
I think the FAA made unplggd do this post. The article lacks the personality that appears in most posts - it seems more like a dog with a tail between its legs. It's disappointing.
Here are a couple of good articles from The Atlantic about this topic:
'All Electronic Devices Must Now Be Powered Off'—But Why?
Why You Can't Read a Kindle During Take-Off—4 Theories
What Coccys and FFB4MD said.
Too many imaginary problems and not enough real ones.
None of these toys existed a decade ago. How did people cope then? Is the collective memory loss really that profound?
I just hope that the next time I fly, the argumentative children stay home.
Are we that attached to these devices that we can't turn them off for a couple of minutes? I don't understand why it's such a big deal. If there is even a small risk we should take it seriously. It won't kill us to take a break from our computer devices.
My oh my, whatever did we DO on airplanes to keep busy before the advent of technological toys like iPads and cell phones and Kindles? Oh, hey, yeah, I remember, we read books and magazines, talked to our seatmates, took a nap, etc.
It shows us that we must be way too into our technology if we can't be inconvenienced a little. I think disconnecting from the iUmbilical cord is probably a good idea once in awhile.
Yeah, yeah I'm a Gen Xer, so I'm not that attached to my technology.
aTanguay - I have a definite phobia of airplanes (it's clastraphobia and fear of not being able to get off if needed) and I agree with you on the distraction part of it. Even with anxiety medication before the flight, I still need something to distract me to keep me calm. Reading a book before/during take off is good, but watching movies on my mp3 player (which I usually do while we're in the air) works a lot better.
However, I do understand why they do it, mostly for the crowd control issue. Also, my husband (who has a degree in aviation) had a good point; it's not just that they don't know for sure if devices will cause any issues, it's that technology is changing very rapidly and they do not have time for complete testing as new things come out. Our current devices may not cause a problem today, but maybe the newest device will cause an issue next year.