Comments on: Hostage on a nightmare flight http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/hostage-on-a-nightmare-flight/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bill http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/hostage-on-a-nightmare-flight/comment-page-1/#comment-21518 Bill Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:11:46 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/hostage-on-a-nightmare-flight/#comment-21518 Cell phones communicate with towers, which from what I understand, are far higher wattage than the 0.67 watts emitted by a handheld cell phone (and this is the third stage of power, there are lower ones). Wouldnt' one think that the plane, if it were in fact suceptible to interference from cell phones - which in North America operate at 850 and 1900 mHz - be a lot more affected by those powerful towers than some little battery powered phone? Now that they are pretty much digital, hospitals allow them in many cases. The distracted passenger issue is a valid one, but the interference claim...I find that difficult to fathom. On the ground, there are cell towers, TV stations, radio stations, VHF from emergency vehicles, etc. The cell phone is not likely to be a significant issue as far as RF is concerned. Cell phones communicate with towers, which from what I understand, are far higher wattage than the 0.67 watts emitted by a handheld cell phone (and this is the third stage of power, there are lower ones).

Wouldnt’ one think that the plane, if it were in fact suceptible to interference from cell phones – which in North America operate at 850 and 1900 mHz – be a lot more affected by those powerful towers than some little battery powered phone? Now that they are pretty much digital, hospitals allow them in many cases.

The distracted passenger issue is a valid one, but the interference claim…I find that difficult to fathom. On the ground, there are cell towers, TV stations, radio stations, VHF from emergency vehicles, etc. The cell phone is not likely to be a significant issue as far as RF is concerned.

]]> By: Jgoodwin http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/hostage-on-a-nightmare-flight/comment-page-1/#comment-14708 Jgoodwin Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:28:25 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/hostage-on-a-nightmare-flight/#comment-14708 I agree the crew could have definately phoned the flight deck and asked to have the seatbelt sign off to allow guests to use the lavatories. However as far as drinks go, with my airline we are prohibited from using cart service while on the ground. We must serve drinks with trays. Recently we were operating a flight from Montreal to Toronto when a severe thunderstorm hit Toronto and we were not allowed to take off because Pearson was under Red Alert. At that time guests were becomming angry as we experienced a 2.5 hr delay on the ground. We phoned the flight deck and asked to remove the seatbelt sign so that we could let our guests use the restroom and we also provided the guests with a water service and we passed through the cabin, sold headsets and also gave away free light snacks that normally wouldnt have been delivered on that particular flight. As for cellphone use, It is the policy of most airlines that cellular phones can be used ONLY while the main cabin door is open. So once the cabin door is closed, cellphones are then restricted use items. One reason we restrict the use in addition to the potential interference with navigation systems or radios is that in the case of an emergency (should a fire occur, should gear collapse, should we have a fuel spill or should we be hit by another air craft, etc...) We as a crew will need to shout commands upon being given the notice to evacuate an aircraft. We need our guests full and complete attention so that they can comply with our commands and instruction. Sure, if i'm sitting there listening to my Ipod or on my phone and all of a sudden i see people running for the exits I am sure to follow... but it is all for the guests safety and comfort. I agree the crew could have definately phoned the flight deck and asked to have the seatbelt sign off to allow guests to use the lavatories. However as far as drinks go, with my airline we are prohibited from using cart service while on the ground. We must serve drinks with trays.

Recently we were operating a flight from Montreal to Toronto when a severe thunderstorm hit Toronto and we were not allowed to take off because Pearson was under Red Alert. At that time guests were becomming angry as we experienced a 2.5 hr delay on the ground.

We phoned the flight deck and asked to remove the seatbelt sign so that we could let our guests use the restroom and we also provided the guests with a water service and we passed through the cabin, sold headsets and also gave away free light snacks that normally wouldnt have been delivered on that particular flight.

As for cellphone use, It is the policy of most airlines that cellular phones can be used ONLY while the main cabin door is open. So once the cabin door is closed, cellphones are then restricted use items. One reason we restrict the use in addition to the potential interference with navigation systems or radios is that in the case of an emergency (should a fire occur, should gear collapse, should we have a fuel spill or should we be hit by another air craft, etc…) We as a crew will need to shout commands upon being given the notice to evacuate an aircraft. We need our guests full and complete attention so that they can comply with our commands and instruction.

Sure, if i’m sitting there listening to my Ipod or on my phone and all of a sudden i see people running for the exits I am sure to follow… but it is all for the guests safety and comfort.

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