Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!spool.mu.edu!telecom-request From: brian@ucsd.edu (Brian Kantor) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Cellular Phones on Planes Message-ID: Date: 16 May 91 15:53:35 GMT Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Organization: The Avant-Garde of the Now, Ltd. Lines: 28 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 365, Message 5 of 10 This discussion has come up before; dunno why it keeps coming up over and over again without the Moderator referring people to the previous go-round. Anyway, what I understand is: 1. in a private aircraft, under FAA rules, the pilot in command determines what electronic devices may be used. Thus you ask permission of him (or yourself, as appropriate). 2. in a commercial aircraft, such as an airliner, again, under FAA rules,the airline sets the policy, and the pilot is generally not permitted to override that policy. Most airlines have a policy prohibiting all RF-radiating devices such as walkies, cellphones, etc. Some have will grant exceptions to that policy if the device is certified by the airline to not cause interference; after that point it's up to the pilot. 3. The FCC (different agency) prohibits the use of cellphones (explicitly cellphones) in flight because of the potential for multicell interference. So my understanding is: you might as well pack your cellphone when travelling on a commercial carrier, unless they're fudging the rules and letting you use it on the ramp, and you shouldn't use it once you're in the air no matter what kind of transportation you're using. Brian