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Why You Should Put Your Phone In Flight Mode While In The Air

Why You Should Put Your Phone In Flight Mode While In The Air

They're not just being annoying.

Michael Minay

Michael Minay

It's one of the staple givens on flying any distance, alongside crap meals, screaming babies and lost luggage.

'Please put your phone into flight mode'.

Ok, let's be real - not having your phone in flight mode while on board a plane is not going to give you the ability to control it.

But, having your phone in flight mode in this reception-cutting, Wi-Fi-blocking, Bluetooth-disabling feature may just keep you safe.

Jack Straw making a comeback. Credit: PA

Firstly, you're probably thinking by not having it on you'll mess with the electronic systems - there's never been any proof of this... ever! Playing snake (just preparing for the new Nokia 3310) and clicking up, down, left or right is not going to divert your plane from Alicante to Alaska.

The whole electronic idea was the original reason back in the 1990s when mobiles really took-off (pun intended!) and pilots feared that mobile frequencies could lead to a malfunction of the plane's systems.

But that's not the case now and it's more likely that you'll interfere with radio communications - still, pretty serious!

'Excuse me sir, could you just press the 'up' button a few times'. Credit: PA

Pilots say that it can create an unpleasant sound and interrupt communication between them and air traffic control.

Although it's only a minor, uncomfortable 'dit dit dit' sound (you may have heard it yourself if you sit with a phone near a speaker), it can mean they miss important information from the guys on the ground. It could either distort a message or mean they miss it altogether.

One pilot estimated hearing these blips on 2-3 percent of his flights.

With new technology coming on-board (another bad pun????), it's becoming rarer. For goodness sake, some planes even have Wi-Fi these days so flight mode is redundant.

There was recently a scary moment on board a RyanAir/Aer Lingus flight (depending on which plane you were sat on) as the two nearly crashed into each other.

You are just left wondering, after all of the above, if it could have been the fault of a passenger?

We'd suggest that, if you are going to keep your phone with all systems go, at least download 'aeroplane simulator' to practice just in case you do end up taking over the controls...

On the plus side, aeroplane mode is a great battery saver and means you could text your mum to let her known you've landed safely before checking into various Malia bars.

Featured Image Credit: PA