European safety watchdog axes ban on electronic devices

Now you will be allowed to use your mobile on the plane - even during takeoff: European safety watchdog axes ban on electronic devices airlines, leaving it up to airlines

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2770999/Send-tweet-40-000-feet-European-airlines-relax-rules-let-passengers-use-phones-flights.html

This is bad news.
I did a coach trip up to Scotland a few years ago and one of the passengers nearby was on his mobile constantly.
There weren't any seats to move to either.
I put mobile phone use in the same camp as IFE tappers and foot invasions.
Dick D

As long as the phones on silent and used for text and email only I don't see a problem. I've used Aeromobile on a few flights for work email in the past

Someone sat there on a call however would be a PITA

As long as the phones on silent and used for text and email only I don't see a problem. I've used Aeromobile on a few flights for work email in the past

Someone sat there on a call however would be a PITA

I wouldn't have a problem with that, I just know the person behind me will have one of those loud phone voices and be talking for the whole trip.
Dick D

OMG I bet I get someone close to me who wants to use their phone on an overnight flight when I'm trying to sleep - I can see this causing nothing but problems with the flight staff nowhere to be seen !

This is bad news.
I did a coach trip up to Scotland a few years ago and one of the passengers nearby was on his mobile constantly.
There weren't any seats to move to either.
I put mobile phone use in the same camp as IFE tappers and foot invasions.
Dick D

Totally with you on this one. The airplane is one the the last bastions of mobile free zones. It's a sad reflection on society that you can't fly make even a short journey without having your phone on. No doubt my kids will be texting each other even though they are in the same cabin. Another nail in the art of verball conversation. Rant over

This will only work if the aircraft has a phone network fitted such as aeromobile.

It's been on the a330 and LGW747 for sometime now and I've never seen anyway actually making calls to the ground.. Probably due to the cost of the calls!

Also only 5 people can make a call at anytime..... I don't think it will be a problem since it is currently not.

[Darren Wheeler]

If usage starts causing major problems, the crew can turn the whole system off.

[mitchja]

When you are still on the ground before and during taxing or climbing just after take off, you won't need to use the Aeromobile system anyway as you will still have mobile coverage so there will be no way for the crew to control that.