What would you have done?

wheelsup said:
I'm not sure what you're getting at. Nobody knows what caused it. There is no "official word" because it's a mystery.

No such official statement exists, sorry.
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Which is kind of my point. I can't think of a logical series of events that would cause a cell phone to affect the nose gear. Hence my amount of doubt that a cell phone signal was the cuase, and hence, my note of some extreme paranoia. :)
 
surreal1221 said:
Which is kind of my point. I can't think of a logical series of events that would cause a cell phone to affect the nose gear. Hence my amount of doubt that a cell phone signal was the cuase, and hence, my note of some extreme paranoia. :)
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:yeahthat:
 
NickH said:
Wasn't the electronic interferece thing mythbusted?
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They tried and appeared to bust it, but in reality, no. I've experienced it first hand many, many times.

On another note, I just saw their "bust" of the myth of the diver getting picked up by a water bomber. They were so wrong all I could do was laugh. I'm not saying the myth is true, I really don't know, but their "bust" had holes in it big enough to fly a sky cow (A380) through.
 
I have seen interference from a cell phone about 50% of the time when I forget to turn mine off, or it could just be a coincidence....
 
The only "interference" I've ever experienced from cell phone is a clicking sound in the headset when a phone is receiving a call. It never appeared to affect the nav. system.

I'm not convinced about the electronic interference either!
 
It might have been my imagination, as I've not a great amount of experience, but I seemed to notice a little map-shift on the GPS when my cell phone was left on.
 
The Nokia and Motorola phones (particularly Nextel) can cause a buzzing or repetitive "pop" sound in headphones, but I have never seen any cell phone interfere with a navigational instrument of any kind.
 
jonnyb said:
Really.....Many many times huh? That's amazing, I've never experienced it once.
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So because you, one person out thousands upon thousands of pilots, has never experienced it, that makes it false? Nice logic.

I've experienced it to the point where neither of us could hear radio traffic.
 
I think a lot guys who are flying the newer avionics may not see the nav interference due to the nature of the avionics, solid state and such. The cell phones and alike are most likely not interfering with the nav signal (ie vor to airplane) but with the instruments themselves (ala mythbusters). Like I have said I can put my cell phone next to the RMI and the needle(s) will follow the phone around the perimeter of the gauge, but I can still get a good ID on the signal.
 
wheelsup said:
Extreme paranoia? Hmmm, I didn't pick that up from my post but if you did sorry!
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The extreme paranoia was used due to the pointing of the figure towards the cause of the issue. That to me is extreme paranoia, instead of actually looking for the real issue.

Nevertheless, I wasn't attempting to attack you. Just the logic that some in the industry have towards cell phone usage, especially in the case that you used as an example.

Nav interference, radio interference, etc, I can understand. Gear getting sucked back up after arrival, flap failing to retract, etc etc. . . I doubt a cell phone was the cause. :)
 
Ralgha said:
So because you, one person out thousands upon thousands of pilots, has never experienced it, that makes it false? Nice logic.

I've experienced it to the point where neither of us could hear radio traffic.
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Yes and thank you. Sounds like you need a new radio.
 
Cruise said:
What would you have done?
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On my airline, a deadheading pilot has command authority over an active flight attendant. If at some time you, as a pilot, felt it was time to intervene...I think you made an appropriate decision.

As for electronic interference...I read awhile back that no FCC device currently operates within a freguency range of VHF/UHF/GPS avionics, and that all devices are appropriately shielded. However, if an electronic device is accidently dropped the shielding can be compromised. Also read that multiple PED frequencies can morph into the GPS range causing interference.

It's probably a good idea to help the FA enforce the reg.
 
Day 6, that sucks! I would have started out with the threat of police meeting her at the gate. I think only a select few would not be intimidated about a police presence, those are the ones ide really watch out for.
 
stultus said:
Though I did pipe up last week--I was commutting in for work and we had just pulled off the runway, holding short of the parallel and the guy across the isle from me pops up out of his seat and reaches up to open the overhead. Before I even thought about it, I was saying "Sir, you need to sit down. Now. We're not at the gate."
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In this situation I would probably say something, especially if it is right before takeoff. When I'm commuting home, the last thing I want is a gate return because some moron wants his Ipod from his bag in the overhead bin.

As far as the use of a computer or MP3 player goes, I probably would leave it alone. After all, "radio police" isn't in my job description.

Speaking of interactions with passengers, does anyone, or has anyone scolded an irate passenger while in line at the gate counter? I've witnessed about 20 jack a$$es in the past two weeks giving an innocent gate agent hell for a number of stupid reasons. All I've done is just stand there and smile at the gate agent, to let them know I feel their pain, but it takes great willpower to not jack them up. No matter how bad a trip is going, a passenger should still treat the employees with respect and courtesy. /soapbox

G

(Keep in mind that with the delays waiting for gates, bags, etc. at ASA, there have been A LOT of irate passengers lately, so maybe that's why I've witnessed this so much...)
 
I have mixed feelings on this.

First, I have seen handheld devices effect things, and certainly with the long lengths of wires in an aircraft, they can pick up some pretty weak signals, like a crystal radio antennae does. On the other hand, I think that the risk is fairly small, just not zero. I do think there is a lot of panic about it all, such as the urban legends about cell phones while putting gas in your car.

My second thought, though, is that it is a rule, and people need to respect them. There is a general trend towards ignoring rules, and in this example, small things DO lead to bigger things, I think.
 
I can clearly hear if someone is using a GSM phone onboard, it makes a distinct series of sounds in my headset, and not just my ANR headset but plain old DCs. If something throws off enough RF to induce noise into the audio system, I suspect it could affect the instruments. When I go to the back in flight to use the lav I can usually find a couple of people playing games on their cellphones, and I ask them to power them off and stand beside them until they turn them off. I've even made inflight PAs asking everyone to check if they left their phone on, the FAs say that one really gets everyone's attention.

While I have felt differently in the past, my new approach is this: the rules say turn it off, and I really don't care what the reason is or who you are because the rules apply to everyone.
 
Maybe spark up a conversation with the FA and then bring up affending party. I guess it depends on how much you feel the inteference endangers your life. If I feel worried about your safety I would do anything possible to get the device turned off. Otherwise take a nap, sounds like you need it.
 
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