SciFrog:
Because it is not proven that devices cause interfences?
Actually in private planes, there is no such restriction...
Has it been proven that they don't cause interferences?
This is a nice comment I found on an aviation forum:
I too am an Electrical Engineer. I feel that Mr. Zammit has overlooked that the very well shielded cables sometimes terminate at antennas. And yes, one iPod puts out an extremely small amount of RF. But on a flight carrying 135 passengers, perhaps 30 or so iPods, PDAs, etc. might be running. I know that I have, more than once, forgotten to turn off my cellphone during a flight. The phone was in my carry-on, which I never opened. But there was my little cell, dutifully seaching for a tower. My point? There probably is no risk. But why take ANY chance? Is the lives of 135 people worth being able to listen to music for the 10 minutes from takeoff to altitude? Bring some ear plugs if you can't stand the noise. I'd much rather know that some new flyer hears the exit instructions instead of being the person who panics during a crash and blocks my exit from the airplane. Of course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.
So far, it has been only proven, that cell phones don't cause interference during flight but during take-off and landing, they would still be needed to be switched off.
What has also been proven is that CD players can, under certain circumstances, cause interference. So do wireless toys which may not be properly certified.
Again...why take the risk ?
There are certain rules aboard a plane and every passenger needs to stick to them. It is the law. Aboard a plane, the captain can theoretically order you to shut your mouth for the whole flight, he is the boss, it is similar to the captain of a ship.
Rules aren't always convenient but we live by them. If everybody bends or even ignores the rules, this would sooner or later result in anarchy.
Btw: one of the passengers, a woman, was frightened of flying anyways. When she saw these two handball players playing on their PSPs, she freaked out because she knew it isn't allowed. This is when I jumped in too because there are rules.
As stupid some of these rules may sound to us, we can't always ignore them. Especially not on a plane with 100-500 people. I don't mind keeping my iPad off for take-off and landing, so why would it bother other people?
Better to be safe than sorry, especially on a plane where your survival chances would be practically 0% if something happens.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M, BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW