Experienced travelers who have traveled multiple times know that certain restrictions can apply to the use of mobile phones on an airplane. However, numerous studies on this subject give the most uncertain results. Let's find out if you can use your phone on the plane?
Etiology of prohibition
Why do passengers wonder if they can use their cell phones on the plane? Why such an unusual ban?
Aircraft is an extremely complex system. A whole mass of communication and navigation devices is concentrated on board, which operate at different frequencies. With the introduction of the first mobile phones into wide operation, it became necessary to study their impact on aircraft equipment. Since the issue presented was poorly studied at first, the airlines decided to play it safe by prohibiting the inclusion of such devices on board.
Cell phones have been present on the modern technology market forseveral decades. Since their inception, the equipment that is installed on board aircraft has undergone significant changes. And if earlier the radio waves that played the first mobile phones could potentially cause navigation systems to malfunction, today this is almost impossible.
Despite the above, major airlines are still conducting research on the issue of whether it is possible to use the phone and other electronic devices on the plane. Such tests are aimed at identifying interference that various technologies can produce.
Why are some airlines still banning mobile phones on board? There are several reasons for this, which we will consider later in the material.
Involuntary reinsurance
Almost weekly, new types of mobile devices appear on the market, which are equipped with additional, previously unknown functionality. All this leads to a change in the protocols and standards for the operation of such devices. Therefore, their impact on aircraft equipment requires additional, thorough research. With regular changes, airlines are resorting to reinsurance in case of interference with the functioning of aircraft equipment under the influence of new microwaves emitted by portable devices used by passengers.
Distraction
The rules for the use of mobile phones during the flight are made by airlines, as users must remain vigilant on board. This may be required in case of unforeseen circumstances during landing or takeoff. It is extremely difficult to get passengers to understand information about the behavior on board when the majority of them are fascinated by the images that unfold on the screen of personal devices.
Comfort requirements
Airlines are trying to provide passengers with complete comfort during the flight. If some people calmly endure being several thousand kilometers above the ground, others behave nervously. Therefore, in order not to panic, they need a calm environment.
Providing it is extremely difficult when people around you are talking on cell phones everywhere. Therefore, in order not to create a nervous environment for certain categories of passengers, owners of electronic devices should once again consider whether it is possible to use the phone on an airplane.
Get extra income
Some passengers feel that airlines are forcing people to wonder if they can use their phones on the plane because they want to earn extra money. And in fact, setting restrictions on Internet access from mobile devices and conversations forces people to turn to paid communication services provided by flight attendants. Therefore, this option has the right to life.
Passenger safety
The establishment of rules regarding whether telephones can be used on board aircraft is partly driven by the need to ensure safe travel for each individual passenger. Some airlines insist not only on refusing to carry out negotiations on board, but even forcing people to hide portable devices after takeoff. The reason lies in the risk of injury to yourself and others with active body movements while playing games, falling out of the device from your hands, nervous behavior during conversations.
Practical side of the issue
So can you use your phone on an airplane? Officially, mobile devices are allowed to operate on board aircraft. Similar bans were lifted by world airlines back in 2014. However, in reality, employees of individual companies that provide flights have the right to independently form rules that impose certain restrictions on the actions of passengers on board.
Given the official permission to use mobile devices in aircraft, the majority of airlines decided to find their middle ground on this issue. Therefore, when boarding a flight, you can often hear explanations from flight attendants regarding whether it is possible to use a cell phone on an airplane and what restrictions are imposed on such behavior.
In general, during takeoff, passengers are advised to switch the phone to “flight mode”,which leads to blocking the functionality of the wireless modules of the portable device.
What do the pilots think about this issue?
According to the pilots, is it possible to use the phone on the plane? According to on-board workers who are at the helm of aviation transport, it is not worth using portable devices during takeoff. In particular, it is not recommended to use built-in cameras with flash during the acceleration of the aircraft along the runway. Flashes from the windows can raise the suspicion of existing breakdowns or become a distraction for pilots who will be forced to apply emergency braking.
In closing
So we found out if you can use a mobile phone on an airplane. As you can see, each airline has its own opinion on this matter, forming the appropriate rules for the behavior of passengers. Be that as it may, if flight attendants ask you to turn off or hide a portable device - in order to avoid trouble, it is better to silently follow the advice.
