Virgin and QF to allow gate to gate use of handheld devices from tomorrow

[medhead]

So now we can legally snap the take off and landing pick

You could anyway using a camera, which is separate to a phone.

 

[TomVexille]

You could anyway using a camera, which is separate to a phone.

Technically it's still an electronic device

 

[RooFlyer]

You could anyway using a camera, which is separate to a phone.

Technically it's still an electronic device

I've sometimes wondered about using electronic cameras under the old regime. Strictly they are an 'electronic device' and should a flash go off on purpose or accidentally, would there be a measurable EM emission? Academic now

 

[medhead]

Technically it's still an electronic device

That was specifically allowed to be used during take off and landing on Qantas.

 

[TomVexille]

That was specifically allowed to be used during take off and landing on Qantas.

And there's not really many reasons why they shouldn't be. Unless it's one of the new-fangled ones with wifi and bluetooth of course (which you would be able to turn off I assume)

 

[medhead]

Ok, I'm struggling to understand how this helps for the VA IFE system that depends on wifi. Wouldn't flight mode mean no wifi until seat belt sign is turned off?

And there's not really many reasons why they shouldn't be. Unless it's one of the new-fangled ones with wifi and bluetooth of course (which you would be able to turn off I assume)

I thought they were banned as well, until AFF edumacated me about cameras. I've tried search the QF website, but can't find anything. I might try searching AFF for the old thread on this.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Flight mode on then activate wifi. Thats the process. Just no mobile network allowed. This is identical to how it was used in cruise before. Just now you can do it all the time.

Just flew VA and this has already been incorporated into crew announcement.

 

[TomVexille]

Ok, I'm struggling to understand how this helps for the VA IFE system that depends on wifi. Wouldn't flight mode mean no wifi until seat belt sign is turned off?

Good relevant question that I would like the answer to.

I thought they were banned as well, until AFF edumacated me about cameras. I've tried search the QF website, but can't find anything. I might try searching AFF for the old thread on this.

Well as long as you turn off the transmitting features you would think it would be okay.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I never carry a camera onboard so the thing I'm most looking forward to is taking some great take-off and landing pics
In fact if QF and or VA had half an inkling this would make a cool competition on Instagram

 

[RooFlyer]

I never carry a camera onboard so the thing I'm most looking forward to is taking some great take-off and landing pics
In fact if QF and or VA had half an inkling this would make a cool competition on Instagram

Knowing how competitive AFFers are (sometimes), here's an entry:

View attachment 34534

 

[medhead]

Flight mode on then activate wifi. Thats the process. Just no mobile network allowed. This is identical to how it was used in cruise before. Just now you can do it all the time.

Just flew VA and this has already been incorporated into crew announcement.

Flight mode turns off wifi. Turning wifi back on suggests the device is no longer in flight mode. Especially, when my iPad is a wifi only version. Unfortunately the announcement on my flight this morning was too soft for me to hear the details.

 

[TomVexille]

Flight mode turns off wifi. Turning wifi back on suggests the device is no longer in flight mode. Especially, when my iPad is a wifi only version. Unfortunately the announcement on my flight this morning was too soft for me to hear the details.

Most devices allow wifi to be turned back on while still in flight mode.

 

[medhead]

Most devices allow wifi to be turned back on while still in flight mode.

Which suggests it is no longer in flight mode.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Most devices allow wifi to be turned back on while still in flight mode.

Thats correct. Its no different to what it was before other than you can use at all stages

 

[TomVexille]

Which suggests it is no longer in flight mode.

If the device is wifi only, then yes.

 

[significance]

Obvious questions:
- how will crew know pax have placed their devices into flight mode? I doubt most will bother.
- I imagine people will chuck on their headphones and start a movie the second they sit down meaning the don't hear a single thing the crew or pilot says the whole flight. How will any messages get through to pax?

Those who won't bother are the same people who didn't bother last week. There is a personal incentive to put devices into flight mode, however: leaving it out of flight mode pretty much ensures that the battery will be drained by the time you get to the other end of the flight. I have forgotten to switch a phone to flight mode on two occasions, and both times, the battery drained very quickly, because the phone was then constantly looking for a connection and trying to switch from one signal to the next.

Overseas carriers that allow devices to be switch on for the whole trip ask passengers not to use headphones during the safety announcements. I imagine Qantas and Virgin will do the same.

 

[dk4]

Overseas carriers that allow devices to be switch on for the whole trip ask passengers not to use headphones during the safety announcements. I imagine Qantas and Virgin will do the same.

Maybe a few do, but not all of them, I have certainly flown on various overseas carriers (where PED in flight mode can operate at all times) where they make no special headphones announcement, other than the standard "pay attention to the safety demo now" one.

 

[mckinj02]

What about Jetstar?

 

[medhead]

What about Jetstar?

They're still working out the electronic devices fee.

 

[mckinj02]

Too true...!