When traveling, we are surrounded by rules: from banal and logical, such as a ban on unauthorized border crossing in the first place we come across, to a request not to smoke at the airport or not to import/export from the country all sorts of rare shells, unusual products and other curiosities.
Okay, what about another prohibition: why can't I talk on a cell phone on board an airplane? Why include it and why should I follow the lead of airlines?
Let's figure it out, friends. Let's start with the simplest thing – what, in fact, is this airplane mode of yours?
What is Airplane Mode and how do I activate it?
Airplane mode is a button that, when pressed, turns off the antennas installed in your mobile device of at least two standards — WiFi and Bluetooth (very often also cellular signal). Thus, airplane mode allows you to turn off all kinds of networks by pressing a single button, without immersing yourself in numerous settings and without completely turning off the device during the flight. Initially, this feature was made for those who often fly by plane, but over time it migrated "to the ground" and now it is actively used when they do not want to be bothered by calls and notifications.
Or to save battery for something more important than spam, social media, and chatting on the phone.
Why turn on Airplane Mode? Official interpretation
And why do you need to turn off cellular devices at all when you are on an airplane?
For the first time, such a rule was introduced in 1991 at the initiative of the Civil Aviation Administration of the United Kingdom. Officials from passenger aviation reported that the cell phone in operation generates interference that prevents the correct operation of onboard engineering systems, as well as "jamming" communication with the ground. Pilots had to be sure that communication with the air traffic controller would not be interrupted at the most crucial moment because Aunt Rose decided to ask you for the recipe for her favorite pumpkin pie.
In addition, there is a non-obvious point that is also related to security. If you have ever flown on an airplane, you have probably repeatedly listened to pre-flight and pre-landing briefings on behavior in different situations (here is also a reminder to buckle up). While chatting and in a hurry, it is not surprising to forget something in the pocket on the back of the chair or in the compartment for hand luggage. Finally, with constant conversations, you will prevent other passengers from resting during long flights.
Why actually turn off cell phones and tablets?
In fact, the scarecrow that a mobile phone can interfere with the pilot's work is not so far from the truth. But the point, of course, is not in short-wave radio communication and communications with the dispatcher on the ground - the cell phone signal cannot interfere with this! We are talking about interferences of a different kind. The fact is that pilots sit at their workplaces in headphones during the entire flight, and the signal of a cell phone turned on can disrupt the speaker and microphone - it will "phony", and the pilot may not hear something important or will be misunderstood.
On the other hand, progress does not stand still, and the influence of the GSM phone signal on ordinary headphones is now almost imperceptible.
Well, is it possible to use the phone?
In general, it is possible to use a telephone on board the aircraft. You can't make calls, but you can connect to the onboard WLAN network, which is just enough to allow passengers to receive and send text messages, e-mails, or connect to the Internet. In some cases, the service is available for free, in others you will have to pay extra - but it is better to check the conditions for the provision of the service on the ground.
It can be said that the flight mode is a tradition designed to provide passengers and crew with the proper level of comfort, but rumors about the dangers of a cellular signal on board are greatly exaggerated.
