I just want to be able to keep reading my e-book. But, since they don't have magic powers to see that my old Sony pocket reader doesn't transmit or receive, I'm a good little goose and turn it off when they tell me to and pick up a magazine.

This is why John Grisham paperbacks will never become extinct...

They just want you to put shit away (no iPads flying about if you hit turbulence) and pay attention (important safety instructions).

I am basing that on nothing, but it has the ring of truth, right?

I always keep my iPod on. They don't see my earbuds if I am wearing a hoodie and my head is leaning against the window. I feel a little guilty about it, but not that guilty.

If this is true, I don't expect this rule to change within my lifetime.

I can't STAND to turn off all my stuff for 15 minutes. That's a LONG TIME to go without my cell phone and laptop and mp3 player. And my games.

FIFTEEN MINUTES people. It's unacceptable. What do they expect me to DO during that time? What? Name one thing. It should be illegal to make you turn your important personal electronics off.

And don't tell me I can live without it. Anybody who can turn off their cell phone and laptop for 15 minutes is a LOSER. A big, fat NOBODY. I'm an important personage and I have the portable devices to prove it.

What's worse is when they try to sell you a credit card during the no-iPod portion of the flight. Only happened once to me so far. I put my headphones back in.

I doubt that they're consulting aeronautical navigation charts during take off or landing.

Matt @5, thanks so much for that.

So the mystery lingers. "Sometimes [interference] appears, usually it does not," says Victoria Day, a spokesperson for the Air Transport Association, a trade group for U.S. airlines. "It may present pilots with an annoyance, or it may threaten safe operation of the airplane. During takeoff and landing when the airplane is closer to the ground, there is no room for error, and airlines take every precaution to ensure that no interference occurs."

recent flights I have taken have allowed for earbuds to remain in use (explicitly stated as part of the spiel) just not other types of headphones. I suspect it has more to do with shit flying around in turbulence than interference. That or people are more likely to get up and chase their ipad down the aisle after they drop it.

Yeah. Even though I say it would be highly unlikely that some errant photon(s) tells the autopilot to turn off, do you want to be in the plane where the improbable happens?

#3 is mostly right about the non cell phone things, but there was an incident some years ago where a CD player starting up emitted enough signal interference over enough of a range that it interfered for a brief fraction of a second with a fly by wire system on an early Airbus plane. It caused the pilots to not have control for half a second and ring all sorts of alarms. That issue was fixed so that it can't happen again, but as a blanket precaution of the next thing they can't see ahead of time they ban all that stuff since all electronic devices including iPads can emit some (usually tiny) level of signal noise (ever notice those FCC stickers on electronics?). Although it's incredibly rare, like hitting a hole in one while blindfolded, it is possible that the little bursts of interference at the right point in a plane can do real harm if the plane is at a critical point like landing or taking off. Less of an issue while cruising where the backup systems can kick in and there are fewer things to crash into with a little turn in the wrong direction.
If they tell you to turn your shit off, just turn it off.

I dont have a problem turning off my media player for 15 minutes. Problem is, the devices dont need to risk taking down the whole plane, they just need to risk throwing off a sensor or two. So something as major as a rear rudder sensor going red, doesnt matter if its actually working or not, they'll turn the plane around immediatly because they dont want to risk the rudder suddenly stop working halfway through the flight (unless fully fueled and you just took off, then they'll fly in circles for 3-6 hours to burn fueld in order to land).

So all this RF/EMF field needs to do is throw off a sensor, which if the pilots are doing their pre-flight check list, brings everything to a stop and you spend an hour or two still on the plane, waiting to see if its a real sensor warning or a glitch.

@5 Makes sense. Electronic devices can cause interference with speakers and radios so I can easily see how they might cause some trouble with the com systems. No big deal if you're just cruising around and have to ask for a repeat but during landing there is not much margin for error. A misheard command from the tower could cause pretty significant problems.

Sure the risk is really really low, but so is the inconvenience.

You need to upgrade from AB to Kthulhu Kitchen.

Mind you, if you start playing that on your plane, you may never land ...

As to risk, you just need to slide it to Airplane Mode ...

I don't have a huge problem with turning off devices (I can live for awhile without them), but I often wonder how many people on the same flight don't actually turn off their devices. Yes, some people just intentionally leave them off but others just put them in sleep mode (which is not powering down). Is a large percentage of passengers just putting their devices to sleep? If so, why can't others continue to read their kindle?

#3 and #10 are right: Take off and landing are the times an accident is most likely to happen, even a very minor one. As such, they last thing anyone wants in this situation is a dozen 4.5-ounce iPhones flying around the cabin. They become projectiles and compound any problems already happening. That's why they want you to stash them, even if they're in airplane mode.

Angry birds is dangerous.

Don't you remember that time the plane crashed and killed everyone because of the guy who didn't turn off his ipod?!

On my last flight, I was playing with my digital camera, reviewing recent photos, and the cabin attendant told me I had to turn it off. ("Anything with an on/off switch needs to be off.")

I'd think that a camera can't possibly be emitting any interference.

Anything powered by electricity can create interference. The chance is extremely small, but the consequences are very large.

So, between my link @ 5 and the chance of trouble at landing/takeoff pointed out by 3/10/19, we have two legitimate reasons for the restriction's existence.

Goldy, posts like this are why you don't have a lot of credibility with me. You're pro-red light camera because of what the experts at insurance companies have to say, but against this despite what the experts at the FAA (supported by the FCC) have to say. These two stances aren't logically compatible.

Matt @24,

Of all the things I've written, that's why I don't have a lot of credibility with you? Geez... you need to reexamine your priorities.

@ 25, at least you have a sense of humor. Gotta love that.

Seriously though, I hope this was enlightening for you.

one time I accidentally left my cell phone on for half the flight. It was only when I went into my bag that I realized that my phone was still on, and perpetually searching for a signal... funny thing is, the plane didn't crash, and we didn't die. Also? The pilot didn't come over the intercom desperately asking everyone to check their cellphones.

Just sayin'

Goldy,

It should be clear why devices with transmitters in them (cell phones, wireless devices, etc.) should not be used during critical phases of flight. But even radio receivers have oscillators in them, and they emit low level RF that can produce "heterodyne" frequencies (and frequencies at multiples of the heterodynes). Such signals can, potentially, interfere with communications and navigation systems. Computer equipment also has oscillators with the same potential for interference.

Private pilots have been using computers in the cockpit for years, as well as non-type-certified GPS equipment (that contain both receivers and computers). A common application has been for use of electronic charts. In this regard, the private pilot community is way ahead of the commercial industry. The empirical evidence suggests that interference is rare.

But electronic interference is probably less critical for private pilots than for airline transport pilots because (1) the pilot can control the use of electronic devices (even if there are a couple of passengers), (2) private pilots spend less time in "hard" instrument meteorological conditions, (3) private pilots tend to fly much simpler aircraft, (4) private pilots don't fly hundreds of people around at a time.

An airline pilot doesn't have the capacity to quickly control the hundreds of electronic devices on the plane the way a private pilot does.

The problem isn't with you using your ipad as an e-reader (very low interference potential). Rather, it is leaving the wireless transceiver on. Or leaving your Zune's FM receiver on. And so on. So rather than list a set of permissible and impermissible devices (like they do for the en-route portion of the flight), and hope everyone understands the instructions and follows them, they simply ask everyone to turn off everything. The practice has probably averted "problems" here and there.

The request to turn off electronic devices is also an opportunity to find out who the assholes & cunts are on the plane. I once had to point out to an attendant the dude a few rows ahead & across the aisle who was playing with his new smarty phone at maximum volume, well after the warning. I was trying to discreetly tip her off by pointing and mouthing words. She went to the offender and told him to put it away, but not before selling me out to the dude. Thanks, you fucking cunt! Last time I try to help a flight attendant do their job, even though the asshole in question wasn't exactly hard to spot!

@27: So if something's not guaranteed to cause a problem, it shouldn't be regulated? Remember with the cell phones, a lot of the trouble is for the actual network, not the plane, so you don't know you didn't cause some kind of minor issue.

@24 The "putting shit away" argument falls apart, like @28 says, when you realize that people can play travel chess sets (messy!), read hardback books (ouch!), or wear earplugs (what?)

As for yours, the closest it gets to a theory is this:
" Case in point: In 1995, a passenger's laptop computer was reported to cause the autopilot on a 737 to disconnect. Boeing bought the computer from the passenger and sent it to the lab for testing. Scans showed the laptop emitting frequency-range levels exceeding the company's pre-set limits for equipment on airplanes. However, "after lengthy attempts," the disconnect could not be duplicated."

A theory someone "reported" but that cannot be reproduced is not particularly sound proof. Might as well ban pencils on the off chance one will end up in someone's eye. Or more realistically, beverages that could spill onto the instruments from being near the pilot's chair. Fear based on this little evidence usually only comes from religion and parenting books.

Josh Bis,

"I doubt that they're consulting aeronautical navigation charts during take off or landing."

The sure as hell do!

When landing, pilots flying under instrument flight rules (including most commercial airline flights), must have approach charts available. A different chart is used for each specific type of instrument landing, and these things are updated frequently. (Here is an old one from Seatac.)

Having these available on an e-reader type device is helpful. An ipad is at least as useful during takeoff and landing as it is enroute (where navigation GPS systems are far more useful.)
Additionally, checklists are used in all phases of flight, and are another excellent use for e-readers.

#19 has the correct answer. Take offs and landings are the times when something usually happens. Your small phone can become a DEADLY projectile if the plane comes to a sudden stop or if the plan does a sudden drop from turbulence. Folks can wait 15 minutes.

Stuckie,

Bull-fucking-shit.

A couple of years ago, I was flying a small plane across Montana, over a region with very few airports. I happened to leave my cell phone on. At some point it began roaming and was causing interference to the communications radio.

Until I figured it out what was going on, it added stress to an already stressful because it was getting dark, I was unfamiliar with the area and the destination airport, and the distance between airports meant I had less fuel reserve than I would like. And now it seemed my radio was fucked up.

It turned out to be a minor nuance during a non-critical phase of flight, but it distracted the hell out of me for a few minutes while figuring out what was going on.

The last thing you want during a critical phase of flight is a pilot being distracted with, "what the fuck is going on with the radio?!?" Chances are very good the flight will be unaffected. But with tens of millions of commercial flights in a year, the "small chance" turns into an occasional incident.

The people who refuse to turn off their devices are self-absorbed scum-sucking fuckbags.

@35/@31 are about right. People's understanding of probabilities and interference are pretty limited I guess. Electrical interference may or may not happen. It's not only the radios but also the computers that control the plane that are susceptible. There's many redundant systems that protect modern electronics (on planes especially) but there's also increased likelihood of interference when the source is stronger. Yes, you survived after you left your cell phone on because the probability is overwhelmingly in your favor. But we regulate for the emergencies when things go wrong or, you know, what we call fucking accidents.

Seriously? Does any other Stranger editor even review this nonsense before you guys hit post?

Man, you had better wake up every morning and thank what ever god you got on the right side of that allows you to actually stay employed and still write this ignorant drivel. IOW: You must be one lucky mother fucker.

So. For the love of all that is just, PLEASE Goldy, please, stick to city council meetings and local politics. You're good at that.

Luck runs out eventually.

@ 32, I make it a policy not to read unregistered comments. Too many of them are ignorant trolls, and honest commenters can just register.

But, if you fly airlines that let you play chess or read hardback books during takeoff and landing, tell me the name so I know not to ever use them.

As for the electronics, you might think that chance is worth taking. Lawsuit-wary airlines don't, and apparently someone who knows how to fly a plane doesn't, either.

@39 Do you seriously think there's a single airline that won't let you read a hardback book during takeoff and landing?

@ 40, I've never seen it. Not that I'm that frequent of a flyer, but I've only seen paperbacks and magazines being read during those times.

I've done it. Lots of times.

I guess some folks will not be satisfied until we have to not only turn off and stow electronic devices during take off and landing but also have to put away hardback and paperback books and magazines and pencils and everything else. They'll say, "What? You can't do without your books and other potential projectiles for 15 minutes at the beginning and end of flights on the off chance that by doing so you'll save a life?"

These are the same people who do not mind whatever parts TSA calls them to play in our national security theater. Take off my shoes? Why certainly! Let you grope my privates? Why certainly!

@43 Your analogy doesn't really hold up well. It's apples and oranges. There's more danger from the Mass Milgram's Experiment that is the TSA than say flying with your cell phone on. Hell, even going through a backscatter X-ray machine presents a larger risk to safety. The thing is when things go wrong with the TSA, you're still on the ground and there's contingencies. Your alternatives are limited when your autopilot disengages when it shouldn't during take off or landing.

Jesus. H. Chronst.

The TSA has nothing to do with regulating electronic devices on board an aircraft.

Why does every petty inconvenience suddenly morph into a direct Fascist assault on your liberties? Get some perspective.

Your personal well-intended behavior can't alter the laws of physics, Okay. Sure. Be upset they don't let have a pocket knife on plane. You're pocket knife won't randomly jump out of your pocket and start slicing wires to a navigation system. You'd have to do that. We can stop you.

Matt, I fly a few times a year, and no one has *ever* asked anyone to put hardback books away. It's only the electronic devices; it's not about possible projectiles.

And the iPads the cockpit crew use are specially designed to reduce/eliminate signal escaping. They are not the off-the-shelf versions.