Mobile Phone Flight Mode - Easyjet

balsingh

I apologise in advance if this has alreasy been discussed but I am so confused on this issue.

I have noticed that most mobile phone manufacturers are including a 'Flight Mode' on the phones so the phone can be used to play games or music during a flight. For this precise reason, I bought one of these phones, loaded it up with loads of music so I coudl listen on my flight.

On boarding my Easyjet flight, we we told that mobile phones couldnt be used even in the flight mode. The guy even said its banned on all UK airlines except BA. So basically, all the time spent putting the music on the phone and looking for a phone with that mode was wasted! My main reason for buying that phone was so I didnt have to carry an iPod as well as my phone.

My query, WHY dont airlines let passenger use phones in flight mode? If they are not allowed, what is the point of manufacturers having flight modes on the phones?

I asked the cabin crew why I coudlnt use it to listen to music and his answer was "cos its a mobile phone". He had no further answer and insisted that phone stayed off.

How can I complain to Easyjet about this? Is there a number to call etc?

Tallymanjohn

I think it's just that if they allowed 'flight-mode' phones there would always be some smart*** who'd try & get away with using their phone to make a call so it's easier & safer to just ban all phones from being switched on.

pstones578

balsingh wrote:

I apologise in advance if this has alreasy been discussed but I am so confused on this issue.

I have noticed that most mobile phone manufacturers are including a 'Flight Mode' on the phones so the phone can be used to play games or music during a flight. For this precise reason, I bought one of these phones, loaded it up with loads of music so I coudl listen on my flight.

On boarding my Easyjet flight, we we told that mobile phones couldnt be used even in the flight mode. The guy even said its banned on all UK airlines except BA. So basically, all the time spent putting the music on the phone and looking for a phone with that mode was wasted! My main reason for buying that phone was so I didnt have to carry an iPod as well as my phone.

My query, WHY dont airlines let passenger use phones in flight mode? If they are not allowed, what is the point of manufacturers having flight modes on the phones?

I asked the cabin crew why I coudlnt use it to listen to music and his answer was "cos its a mobile phone". He had no further answer and insisted that phone stayed off.

How can I complain to Easyjet about this? Is there a number to call etc?

You can't trust users to do not things they are not supposed to do. Stop them using the device totally and you know they then can't do things they are not supposed to do. If you complain I bet they all have a good laugh at your letter and send you some generic letter back.

dmg24

It is not just Easyjet that have this rule, last time I flew with Virgin Atlantic they said the same.

Seems it is for the reason that others have said - you'll always get someone who thinks the rules don't apply to them and try to use their mobile as a phone.

Jimbo333_2

balsingh wrote:

My query, WHY dont airlines let passenger use phones in flight mode? If they are not allowed, what is the point of manufacturers having flight modes on the phones?

I always use my mobile phone (IN FLIGHT MODE) on planes. I watch feature films on it, listen to music, play games. Done this on Easyjet, Iberia, BA, Eastern Airways, Air Transat, possibly others, no complaints from staff ever (except the occasional "can you turn that off now sir" during the final descent).

Maybe it's cos my phone looks like a PDA? I've got a Motorola A1000.

What have you been using? Does it look like a phone more than a PDA/CAmera/iPod?

ukpotters

Has anyone ever heard of a mobile phone bringing down a plane anyway?
Why do we have to turn off the phones on planes?
I think it is all hype just to get you to use their expensive inflight telephones.

alanrowell

ukpotters wrote:

Why do we have to turn off the phones on planes?

It's so that flights don't arrive at their destination with several dead passengers.

The "official" reasons are a) a phone is a transmitter & so can interfere with equipment & b) it really !!!!!!s the cell phone system as phones can connect to several cells at a time

ukpotters

alanrowell wrote:

It's so that flights don't arrive at their destination with several dead passengers.

So...has this been proven?
Why doesn't the same rule apply to car, trains, boats etc.

balsingh

ukpotters wrote:

Has anyone ever heard of a mobile phone bringing down a plane anyway?
Why do we have to turn off the phones on planes?
I think it is all hype just to get you to use their expensive inflight telephones.

Exactly! If there was a case that mobile phone usage in a plane had caused some kind of problem, then I woudl understand but I havent heard anything like that. Also, isn't it true that once the plane is at 30000ft or whatever altitude they fly at, a mobile phone woudlnt be able to get a signal anyway?

By the way, my phone is a 'flip' type phone so its the most obvious looking phone and cant really be confused for anything else.

Kilty_2

TBH I think mobile phones are banned to avoid "air rage".

Imagine someone using a mobile in the seat next to you long haul "Yeah, I'm on the plane" for 20 hours? :eek:

I find it hard to believe that mobile phones still interfere with onboard equipment.

ukpotters

Kilty wrote:

TBH I think mobile phones are banned to avoid "air rage".

Imagine someone using a mobile in the seat next to you long haul "Yeah, I'm on the plane" for 20 hours? :eek:

I find it hard to believe that mobile phones still interfere with onboard equipment.

But some long haul flights have phones built into the plane. So you could egt that anyway. I still think it is purely for "REVENUE"!