Flight crew sending SMS messages during flight

[barbene]

On a trip from FRA - SIN the other day (where I was lucky enough to be upgraded from J to F), I sat next to a seat whic was reserved for supplementary crew. This was occupied for most of the flight by a co-pilot.

During the long quiet stretches of the flight (i.e. outside of meal service etc), I noticed him using his mobile phone. Whilst I have seen this on occasion it is with passengers using the PDA functions of the phone rather than the phone connection.

However, after a while it became quite clear that the co-pilot was sending SMS messages as his phone would buzz on receipt and he would hurridly reply. It must have been an engaging "conversation" as he seemed quite amused during it.

So, my question - is this OK ? I know some airlines have relaxed a few policies - passengers on LH freqeuntly pull out their phones the moment wheels have touched the ground, but I have not seen anything from SQ allowing this ?

Am I being too over zealous ?

Cheers

[SQflyergirl]

This is Mid Flight? Then SQ's done something like what MH has - they've got equipment that allows cellphone usage inflight on their 772's and 744's now.

http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/e...nectivity.aspx

[barbene]

Yes, mid flight

[TerryK]

......the co-pilot was sending SMS messages as his phone would buzz on receipt and he would hurridly reply.........

I think those are two different things.

MH, SQ and some other airlines allow SMS and emails using IFE. It has been available for some time but is rarely used. It is not very convenient and expensive. barbene seems to describe using handset to send/receive SMS. I wonder how it is even possible as the aircraft would be over central Asia at that time. You would roam through several countries if you can keep a connection.

[a340-313x]

However, after a while it became quite clear that the co-pilot was sending SMS messages as his phone would buzz on receipt and he would hurridly reply. It must have been an engaging "conversation" as he seemed quite amused during it.

He might have been playing snakes or something on his phone... it causes the phone to buzz whenever your snake rolls over a token. Since you say he was visibly amused, he may have well been playing a mobile phone game. LOL...

[nykelaz]

哈哈哈对啊对啊

[fone]

I seriously doubt he will get any cell phone signal mid-flight, at cruising altitude, since most cell antennae would be directional to provide maximum coverage with minimal costs, such that the signal propagates furthest radially. Also the most I would do is send a couple of messages and not a conversation, especially since I might not know who the roaming provider is while I'm typing the message (since it could change even while I'm texting, if there is a signal at all).

During the earlier days of flying, you could hear people's cell phones receiving messages when the aircraft is about to land, for those who forgot to turn their phones off. That is when the cell phone first got a decent signal and received the message that was sent sometime ago.

[feb01mel]

Today on my flight to BKK, I saw one LSS took out her mobile phone during the flight and switch it on. Not sure if she could get any frequency/nework, but isn't she setting a bad example to everyone?

[LionCity]

Today on my flight to BKK, I saw one LSS took out her mobile phone during the flight and switch it on. Not sure if she could get any frequency/nework, but isn't she setting a bad example to everyone?

Might be some issues at home and just having a quick check for developments. Otherwise, I doubt she will switch it on if everything is fine. Potentially, it could also be used as a check on some details in her phone. But I really do not know

[wsssaero]

Some phones, like the Sony Ericsson I use, have an option for you to select "Normal startup" or "Flight mode" when you turn on the phone. The crew mentioned could have had selected flight mode to check details without any signals emitted, which would have been alright.

[sqdazz]

yes, she may have been accessing some information on her phone, like the time or date, or some memo or anything. may have been on flight mode. no problem there.

[feb01mel]

Thanks All for the clarification. Yes is logical she may be accessing something else offline.

I was just thinking as long as someone turns on their mobile phone, the signals will interfere with the flight navigation systems.

And during safety video screening & landing announcement, they kept emphasising mobile phones are to be switched off at all times.

[boing]

I was just thinking as long as someone turns on their mobile phone, the signals will interfere with the flight navigation systems.

Actually, the chances of your mobile phone interfering with the flight navigation systems or any of the a/c's systems is very, very slim. It's just that the aviation authorities didn't want to take any chances with it, as they should have.

If it does interfere with the systems, they would have long banned mobile phones from being carried on board.

[dboy79]

is good not to have mobile phones activated during flight....
I wouldn't want my sleep to be disturbed midflight by phone beeps & people screaming instructions into their phones... =P

[VC10 Boy]

I left my mobile turned on, accidently, once on a flight between LHR and SIN. Imagine my surprise on taking it out of my jacket pocket to see "welcome messages" from virtually every countries network we flew over.

Technically it is possible. In fact your phone steps up it's power searching for a signal. A couple of phones on the flight is unlikely to affect the electronics. 500 phones though is an altogether different proposition.

For safety reasons, I do abide by the protocols and turn it off. Nothing is that vital it's worth rsiking other's lives for, however small the perceived risk.