In flight mobile phones [?] [NO - Flight mode only!]

[MoolahQ]

This will be a hot one. QF and VA have been given approval to allow pax to use mobile phones in flight, so you're going to have to put up with the same cough you hear on the tram, train or bus everyday - "um, yer well we just took off, so I'll be there in about, er, tonight. What are you doing? Oh nice. I might get a water, hang on while I push the button..." etc. Duh. The manners of most people using public transport and mobile phones at the same time is pathetic, forcing everyone within 10 metres to hear trivial personal one sided monologues and often at louder than conversation level.

Do we really need to use our phones every minute of the day? I do not want to sit next to someone for a couple of hours or more if they can't relax, listen to music through a headset or read something, but absolutely must ring anyone for a gormless conversation. Can phone calls be restricted to 5 minutes and only taken in the toilet?

Isn't there enough time to make a couple of quick calls in the terminal before boarding?

What do you think?

 

[777]

I think you missed the "In flight mode" detail!

 

[harvyk]

Whilst at this stage, it's limited to flight mode only, there are a few techs out there which will allow mobile phones to take and receive calls on aircraft, however they are extremely expensive to use since all calls get charged at typical international roaming rates. So unless you're willing to be paying a couple of dollars a minute /have money to burn / it's really urgent, you probably won't be sitting on the phone for an entire flight, even a short one.

 

[mannej]

Do we really need to use our phones every minute of the day? I do not want to sit next to someone for a couple of hours or more if they can't relax, listen to music through a headset or read something, but absolutely must ring anyone for a gormless conversation. Can phone calls be restricted to 5 minutes and only taken in the toilet?

Bit of a rant considering that to use the gadgets in flight, they must be on flight mode.

 

[MoolahQ]

I think you missed the "In flight mode" detail!

My apologies, instant panic set in when I read the first couple of lines but not the full story. But it can't be far away now. Thanks 777.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

My apologies, instant panic set in when I read the first couple of lines but not the full story. But it can't be far away now. Thanks 777.

We've been discussing it since yesterday

 

[drross]

My apologies, instant panic set in when I read the first couple of lines but not the full story. But it can't be far away now. Thanks 777.

Horrible thought

 

[defurax]

People shouldn't worry too much about fellow passengers talking on their phone, in a few years talking on the phone will most likely be a very odd thing to do and will slowly disappear. Just as we don't need to connect to an operator to place a call nowadays! In my job, I answer between 10 to 100 emails a day and talk on the phone once a month.:shock:
Texting Dominates As Teens And Young Adults Make Fewer Phone Calls

 

[harvyk]

People shouldn't worry too much about fellow passengers talking on their phone, in a few years talking on the phone will most likely be a very odd thing to do and will slowly disappear. Just as we don't need to connect to an operator to place a call nowadays! In my job, I answer between 10 to 100 emails a day and talk on the phone once a month.:shock:
Texting Dominates As Teens And Young Adults Make Fewer Phone Calls

Whilst we're changing how we communicate, voice (and video) comms will always remain.

Text based has a real advantage in that it doesn't require both parties to be 100% committed to the discussion at the exact same time, however for all text's advantages, it's because neither party is required to be 100% committed to that conversation that voice and video will remain as methods to communicate.

For important and urgent things, voice will remain.

What will probably change is exactly how we make phone calls, and I do suspect one day phone numbers will disappear in place of something similar to an email address which is simply linked to whatever device you like. Think something similar to skype calling. Why should I lose my phone number just because I've moved house or phone carriers (yes I know that number porting is possible, but not always quick and easy) or gone OS? Furthermore I wouldn't be limited to one "voice address" either. I could quite conceivably set up multiple identities, much like I can do with email now. So I could set up my business id, my personal id, my sports club id and my "I'm only handing it to you since I have no choice" id and then for the truly advanced, place time restrictions on when I am contactable on any of these id's.

 

[Bolthead]

Today the guy sitting next to me politely asked me to turn my phone off as we were about to take off. I told him that you don't have to now as long as your phone is in flight mode. He didn't believe me and I told him it has been on all the news. He had to hear it from the FA.

 

[marki]

It's been a blessing to have this and common sense prevails it's been over a year now.....

 

[drross]

Emirates now let you use your phone as soon as the wheels have hit the tarmac( or shortly after )

 

[kyanar]

As do Air New Zealand. As soon as you hear the jolt, you get informed over the PA that phones may now be used out of flight mode (and the standard reminder that Australian Federal Law forbids the use of mobile phones until you've cleared customs. So it's pretty pointless really).

 

[RooFlyer]

As do Air New Zealand. As soon as you hear the jolt, you get informed over the PA that phones may now be used out of flight mode (and the standard reminder that Australian Federal Law forbids the use of mobile phones until you've cleared customs. So it's pretty pointless really).

Are they saying that Australian Federal Law forbids any use of mobile phones (for calls, one would assume they mean) from landing until after customs? or is it while in the immigration and baggage collection area?

Given how long an international flight can take between landing/taxiing and pax exiting, I can get a lot done in just that time!

 

[Pushka]

Mobile use not allowed inside customs hall. Although I had a family emergency and asked to use mine and the immigrations people let me.

 

[RooFlyer]

Mobile use not allowed inside customs hall. Although I had a family emergency and asked to use mine and the immigrations people let me.

Yes, but I was wondering what Air NZ are telling their passengers.

 

[Pushka]

Yes, but I was wondering what Air NZ are telling their passengers.

But until you have left the plane you haven't entered customs so what they are saying is technically correct.

 

[RooFlyer]

But until you have left the plane you haven't entered customs so what they are saying is technically correct.

This is what kyenar said:

As do Air New Zealand. As soon as you hear the jolt, you get informed over the PA that phones may now be used out of flight mode (and the standard reminder that Australian Federal Law forbids the use of mobile phones until you've cleared customs. So it's pretty pointless really).

(my bolding)

I'll let kyenar clear up what ANZ are actually saying - no phones until you clear customs, or no phones while you are in the customs area.

 

[Pushka]

Third party. Need to hear the exact words. And even those might change according to the crew.

 

[kyanar]

The specific verbage I got on my last flight (Jan 4, 2016) was "Federal law forbids the use of mobile phones until you have cleared customs".