[MilCom] "When Intercepting Becomes Illegal"

[Sheldon Daitch]

Duane,

I will agree with you on that point.  

Yes, of course, they did not say that the concern 
is flying objects, not electronics, but I suspect the 
cabin attendants are trained with a few stock phrases, 
and perhaps not in a position to have a philosophical 
discussion about the whats and whys in regards to 
their operating procedures.  I suppose, from the 
airline's point of view, it is simply a good stock
criteria, no portable electronic equipment to be
used during TO/LNDG operations, no matter if it is
an intentional radiator, such as a transmitter, or
an unintentional radiator, such as a receiver,
camcorder, laptop.  

I have also said the same in regards to stray 
radiation, such as local oscillator radiation from
superhet receivers, considering their low levels, but
postings on scanner oriented lists have indicated the
capability of receiving local oscillators at relatively
long distances from the offending unit.

But perhaps the key phrase is here:  "very few 
non-transmitting devices are likely to interfere."  As 
much as I want to try to beat the system, are you willing
to bet your fellow passengers lives on the fact that 
"very few non-transmitting devices are likely to interfere" 
with navigation instruments during critical phases of flight
operations?

If you want to find a very uncooperative airline, 
try Lufthansa.  Their policy is no cell phone use
at anytime in the cabin, not even when parked at the
gate.  At least, most US airlines allow the use of the
cell phone until the cabin door is closed.

73
Sheldon
WA4MZZ



Duane Mantick wrote:
> 
> I agree that this is a very VERY good point - BUT, that is
> NOT what was said.  They stated that (paraphrasing) any
> electronic device could interfere with various (and I might
> add unspecified) instruments during takeoff and landing.
> Which is the same line I heard 20 some years ago when flying.
> There might have been a time when that was true, but I gotta
> believe (from what my pilot friends tell me) that with technology
> as good as it is, in this day and age as long as you aren't
> deliberately *transmitting* a signal, very few non-transmitting
> devices are likely to interfere.  I could be wrong, and that
> would mean that my pilot friends are also wrong.
> 
> (and not during the REST of the flight? - oh, that's why
> some things can be used and others can't but just not during
> takeoffs and landings)
> 
> Nobody said ANYthing about the projectile aspect.  If that was
> their real concern, they could have just said so.
> 
> Duane
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: milcom-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> > [mailto:milcom-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Sheldon Daitch
> > Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 7:40 AM
> > Cc: MILCOM
> > Subject: Re: [MilCom] "When Intercepting Becomes Illegal"
> >
> >
> > Duane,
> >
> > I would submit that the concern with electronic devices being
> > operated during takeoff and landing operations is not
> > specifically aimed at the use of the electronics, but more a
> > safety factor keeping the device from becoming flying object
> > in the event of an extreme sudden unexpected movement of the
> > aircraft.
> >
> > The fewer loose items in the cabin, the safer it could be, in
> > the event of an emergency movement.
> >
> > Sheldon
> >
> >
> >
> > Duatoring Area
> > > > <snip>
> > >
> > > I got more hassle out of the flight attendants because I had a camcorder
> > > pointed out the window than anything else.  They didn't want
> > ANY electronic
> > > devices operating during takeoff and landing and reminded me
> > several times
> > > that I was not allowed to video tape the inside of the cabin or
> > any "flight
> > > operations".
> > >
> >
> > >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > MilCom mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/milcom
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/faq.htm
> > Post: mailto:MilCom at mailman.qth.net
> >
> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> MilCom mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/milcom
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/faq.htm
> Post: mailto:MilCom at mailman.qth.net