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

[medhead]

What does it [flight mode] do then, please? (and of course I was talking about broadcast of wi-fi and other EM signals by the unit concerned)

As per the post that you quote that is about flight mode with wifi turned back on, that does not prevent broadcast of wifi signal. Flight mode prevents both transmitting and receiving.

 

[medhead]

Go on. Anyone show me where VA give approval to use wifi gate to gate. So far they have only said flight mode gate to gate.

 

[UP4014]

Re: Phones, Laptops on from gate to gate

Qantas Domestic Chief Executive Officer Lyell Strambi said the new changes were an exciting development in customer experience for the airline.


Yawn, I think Lyell Strambi needs to get out more if he thinks this is exciting.

Matt

 

[777]

Go on. Anyone show me where VA give approval to use wifi gate to gate. So far they have only said flight mode gate to gate.

Umm, the ad i had above is very clearly advertising it.

Flight mode clearly allows the use of wifi or every device on the planet would not be designed that way. Not sure why you're so stuck on this point.

 

[mannej]

Before accusing people for being wrong and arrogant it helps to actually understand there point.

I don't know why you continue to argue considering that Apples definition of flight mode is contrary to yours.
Sorry but I am inclined to take their definition over yours.

 

[TomVexille]

I don't know why you continue to argue considering that Apples definition of flight mode is contrary to yours.
Sorry but I am inclined to take their definition over yours.

Because he has a wifi only ipad that has two settings, wifi on and wifi off.

 

[777]

I don't know why you continue to argue considering that Apples definition of flight mode is contrary to yours.
Sorry but I am inclined to take their definition over yours.

As is CASA's

The “flight mode” disables all transmitting functions and allows the user to select which transmitting function is active. Whilst some operators may offer WiFi streaming for inflight entertainment or internet connectivity, mobile telephone functions are not currently permitted in flight.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority - Mobile phones

 

[travelislife]

What a ridiculous argument that is happening here. Who defines what is and isn't flight mode? You medhead? What is common across all devices that have flight mode is that it turns off the radio transmitter. Just because the default setting also turns off wifi it is not a prerequisite to having the device in flight mode. When you turn on wifi does the device go out of flight mode, No. If you go in to your settings and turn on mobile transmission then, Yes, your device will exit flight mode.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

So CASA says wifi is allowed. Are we done now medhead?

 

[OzEire]

So anyway...(resisting the urge to do a quick summary of the theory of electromagnetism, WiFi and microprocessor timing clock causing spurious transmissions) ...

Today's VA flight on an ATR72-600 the policy was all electronics off for t/o and landing, plus on tarmac, flight mode when seatbelt signs off... So no change to last few years.

Anyone know if this is a VA Regional company rule, ATR airframe issue, tarmac or just FAs not reading from the new script ?

 

[Princess Fiona]

So anyway...(resisting the urge to do a quick summary of the theory of electromagnetism, WiFi and microprocessor timing clock causing spurious transmissions) ...

Today's VA flight on an ATR72-600 the policy was all electronics off for t/o and landing, plus on tarmac, flight mode when seatbelt signs off... So no change to last few years.

Anyone know if this is a VA Regional company rule, ATR airframe issue, tarmac or just FAs not reading from the new script ?

It's only 737, E190 and A330 aircraft. Does not yet apply to the Regional ATR's.

I cannot find the official VA press release but this appears to be a copy/paste of it:


"Further to the announcement on Friday 22 August, Virgin Australia customers will be able to use personal hand-held electronic devices from gate to gate from today, following approval today from the aviation safety regulator.

From today, 26 August:

Usage of personal electronic devices weighing less than 1kg will be permitted at all stages of flight (from departure gate to arrival gate), provided flight mode is selected.
Applies to all Virgin Australia mainline domestic and short-haul international flights – includes Boeing 737, Embraer 190, and Airbus 330 aircraft.
Devices weighing more than 1kg will still be required to be stowed during take-off and landing.
Cabin Crew will make announcements on the flights confirming that customers are able to use their devices.
Passengers will be asked to pause their in-flight entertainment while the pre-flight safety briefing is underway.
Virgin Australia Chief Customer Officer Mark Hassell said the company was pleased to be introducing the initiative without delay.

“Today’s announcement means that our customers will be able to use their personal devices throughout their entire journey with us, maximising their work or leisure time.

“On Boeing 737 and the majority of Embraer 190 aircraft, customers will also be able to take advantage of our innovative Australian-first Wi-Fi entertainment system, with more than 300 hours of film, television and music content at their fingertips from the moment they sit down.

“We know that a significant proportion of our customers travel with at least one smartphone or tablet, which demonstrates how valuable gate-to-gate access is to their overall travel experience”, Mr Hassell said.

Virgin Australia worked with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority on an exemption to previous rules which prohibited the use of personal electronic devices other than at cruising altitude. Other aircraft in Virgin Australia’s fleet still require more testing and approvals prior to launching gate-to-gate access for personal hand-held devices. Flights to or from New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Fiji are excluded as approval is needed from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand."

 

[777]

Go on. Anyone show me where VA give approval to use wifi gate to gate. So far they have only said flight mode gate to gate.

“Today’s announcement means that our customers will be able to use their personal devices throughout their entire journey with us, maximising their work or leisure time.

“On Boeing 737 and the majority of Embraer 190 aircraft, customers will also be able to take advantage of our innovative Australian-first Wi-Fi entertainment system, with more than 300 hours of film, television and music content at their fingertips from the moment they sit down.

Game. Set. Match.

Thank you umpires. Thank you ball boys.

 

[serfty]

...

“On Boeing 737 and the majority of Embraer 190 aircraft, customers will also be able to take advantage of our innovative Australian-first Wi-Fi entertainment system, with more than 300 hours of film, television and music content at their fingertips from the moment they sit down.
...

Sitting in the MEL lounge the other Sturday, I had access to the Wifi from the E90 ensconced in Gate 2.

 

[Danwatto]

Hooray, finally we can do what others have done overseas for a while now

 

[Steady]

I just had my first flight with the new rules on a Q-Link turbo prop - NC from boarding in DPO to the terminal in MEL made more difference than I expected.

 

[JohnK]

Not sure this is a good idea yet.

I have had a couple of flights where I have heard the announcement already.

Good luck to the cabin crew now policing Flight Mode!

They won't bother as it is too difficult to police.

 

[Justinf]

So I can use my iPod Nano (which doesn't have wifi capacity) and my Bose QC20i from gate to gate?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

So I can use my iPod Nano (which doesn't have wifi capacity) and my Bose QC20i from gate to gate?

yes, just take headset off for safety demo

 

[JessicaTam]

Sitting in the MEL lounge the other Sturday, I had access to the Wifi from the E90 ensconced in Gate 2.

But you would not have been in flight mode - rather you would have been in lounge mode!

 

[markis10]

But you would not have been in flight mode - rather you would have been in lounge mode!

And feeling the effects of a faraday cage