factchecker
@cox.net
| reply to jc100
Re: Sigh
said by jc100  :Mythbusters proved that phones DON'T interfere. While I have my doubts that cell phones interfere with avionics, you have to keep in mind that the Mythbusters are not scientists and their results are not scientifically valid. Their testing in that episode is nowhere near as thorough as the type of testing that they do on planes and avionics. So, while their test showed no impact, a proper test may very well show interference.
As for using your phone in the air, even if you could, being in a tin can, moving at 400+MPH at an altitude of 20,000+ feet would make it a pretty crappy experience and it very likely would not work very well. Additionally, the problems cell providers would have on their networks as you phone/device switches from cell to cell are a good enough reason not to allow it.
As a side note, I agree with you comment about the price. The price point is high now, but it SHOULD come down over time. It is a new service with limited deployment. As the number of flights and users increase, price should, in theory, come down. |
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jc100
join:2002-04-10
| Well I agree and disagree some on the Mythbuster test. While they are not scientists, they do a good job of replicating results. Sure, someone's test might have showed different results, leading to the current bans. I don't dispute that. However, their test should at least serve as some credence to review the issue again. That is my point anyway.
As per hopping from tower to tower, that's what the airline is doing with EVDO already. I have that on my cell phone and the ability to use it on my laptop. I'd be doing no different than the airline itself. Jumping from tower to tower to maintain internet via my cell phone. Instead, I would have to pay them for a service I already have, in order to use it. Sure, that isn't the case with everyone, but the point stands, It's not reasonable in price (due to being new), and some customers already have the ability to do this on their own, if they were allowed. |
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zno
join:2002-01-08
Atlanta, GA
1 edit | said by jc100 :Well I agree and disagree some on the Mythbuster test. While they are not scientists, they do a good job of replicating results. Sure, someone's test might have showed different results, leading to the current bans. I don't dispute that. However, their test should at least serve as some credence to review the issue again. That is my point anyway. As per hopping from tower to tower, that's what the airline is doing with EVDO already. I have that on my cell phone and the ability to use it on my laptop. I'd be doing no different than the airline itself. Jumping from tower to tower to maintain internet via my cell phone. unless you're jack bauer, i doubt your data card/cell phone will work in a flying aircraft. even if signals from the cell towers (which btw are installed horizontally) can reach your aircraft, signal from your handheld will probably not reach the ground. |
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Jerm
join:2000-04-10
Richland, WA
1 edit | Yeah...
Good in theory (use own EVDO on flights) - Bad in reality.
I accidentally left my cell on during a flight a while back. When I opened my bag and found it (@ 30,000ft) - sure enough it was complaining about "no signal".
C'mon you're in a metal tube going 600mph 6 miles above the earth and you think the "built in" antenna on the cell would actually do anything??? |
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TexasPlus
join:2004-06-16
Bedford, TX
 ·Millenicom
 ·ViaTalk
| reply to jc100
said by jc100 :Well I agree and disagree some on the Mythbuster test. While they are not scientists, they do a good job of replicating results. I saw that episode. They did not use a modern airliner with modern avionic equipment in all phases of flight. While the Mythbuster test was entertaining, it was not anywhere close to a valid real world test.
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"The world is a book; those who do not travel read but a single page." -St. Augustine |
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