Interesting People mailing list archives
more on 2 comments on cell phones in the air
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2006 16:40:12 -0500
-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [IP] more on 2 comments on cell phones in the air Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2006 16:52:52 +0000 From: Denis Russell <D.M.Russell () ncl ac uk> To: dave () farber net References: <012101c640f9$7fb2daa0$6601a8c0 () digisle com> <ADB14630-F7F2-43D6-84EB-94217EB752AA () farber net> At 09:20 -0500 6/3/06, David Farber wrote:
Begin forwarded message: From: "Andrew D. Swart" <andrew () swart com> Date: March 6, 2006 3:39:25 AM EST
...
and fewer concerns that an innocently overlooked device could harm us.
Dave, Though I am dubious about the actual danger that is posed by cellphones in planes, I always dutifully turn mine off when requested. However, on occasion I have found mine on when preparing to disembark. Of course this can sometimes be forgetfulness on my part (but we are all human and fallible - ref Don Norman). However, there is another probable reason: my phone, a no longer new T68 has a useful sequence to lock the keyboard WHILE THE PHONE IS ON, but none to lock it off. Indeed I have noticed it turn back on "by itself" while it is in my pocket and under the seat belt while in my car (it only needs a constant pressure of a few seconds on a *protruding* button). The same thing can certainly happen on a plane either in my jacket pocket or my bag in the overhead locker and I believe has, several times. Does this mean that I should be responsible for turning off my phone *and* removing the battery every time I fly? The paper originally referred to showed clearly that the reality of the world is that there is substantial radio emission from cellphones and the like on commercial aircraft (wow, what a surprise!). To me the inescapable conclusion is that aircraft: a: Are clearly not very susceptible to any emission from such devices, and b: If "the authorities" were really interested in eliminating any residual risk they would address the aircraft systems, since the present "attempts" to stop the emissions at source are failing and will clearly remain so. In the meantime, I'll not hold my breath, and will reluctantly turn off my phone on aircraft (not least because I don't want to sit beside anyone else using their phones), but I won't bother to remove my battery. Denis ------------------------------------- You are subscribed as lists-ip () insecure org To manage your subscription, go to http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/
Current thread:
- more on 2 comments on cell phones in the air David Farber (Mar 06)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- more on 2 comments on cell phones in the air David Farber (Mar 06)