Gps On An Airplane

[phildonnia]

I've always found it fun to play with the GPSr while on a plane trip. You don't have to just sit in your seat like a zombie; you can check out your speed, altitude, and see all the names of the rivers and towns you pass.

 

This has never been a problem. I turn it off during takeoff and landing like you have to do with all electronic stuff.

 

So I was flying from Florida to California on AA (I usually take SWA), and the flight attendant was appalled to see a GPS unit in use. I mean, I must have been trying to bring down the aircraft or something. They told me to turn it off immediately, and consult the magazind for the list of forbidden items.

 

Sure enough, it specifically prohibits "Global Positioning System". I was of course unable to shut down the entire Global Positioning System (which might indeed have affected the plane's navigation systems), but I turned off my little Garmin.

 

It was my understanding that the GPSr just receives signals, and shows you stuff on the screen. Does this really pose a threat to the airplane systems, or is this just a plot to turn us back into mindless passenger zombies, nothing more than cargo that occasionally demands ginger ale? Is this trend unique to American Airlines?

 

Turning into a zombie again. "This is your captain.. we'll be cruising at an altitude of grsmumbble mubbrrel. If you look out the right side of the aircraft you'll see something or other, you mindless passenger zombie. Please avoid being fascinated with flight and navigation, and leave that to the trained professionals. When waiting for the lavatory, please do not congregate around our holy door you filthy cargo."

[Mushtang]

I've also enjoyed using my GPS on about a dozen flights. Unlike you I keep mine on during take-off and landing just so I can watch the speed.

 

The first time I did it and realized I was going 160 mph before the plane left the ground was definiitely a surprise. The passenger next to me is always surprised also, but always interested and so far not concerned that I was using something dangerous.

 

I've never bothered to ask if I could use the device because they might say no, and that's the wrong answer. And I've always waited to hold it up to the window for sat lock until all the flight attendants were in their seats for take-off.

 

If little electronic devices (CD players, GPSRs, lap top computers, etc) could really bring down a plane or even be a risk to safety, would they really allow them on the plane at all? It's more likely that they'd be taken from us as fast as a firearm would.

[+Bull Moose]

I was of course unable to shut down the entire Global Positioning System (which might indeed have affected the plane's navigation systems), but I turned off my little Garmin.

LOL

[Leoness]

For more info...

 

http://gpsinformation.net/airgps/gpsrfi.htm

[phildonnia]

I've also enjoyed using my GPS on about a dozen flights. Unlike you I keep mine on during take-off and landing just so I can watch the speed.

I must confess also to the guilty pleasure of leaving mine on as the plane was landing. We were only going 120 on landing.

 

Generally, I respect the rules even when I don't obey them, and I'll even obey them when I don't understand them, but this all just smells like some random restriction.

 

I agree with you; if electronic equipment were really a problem, then terrorists would be leaving their nail clippers home and sneaking cell phones on the plane.

[+Flyin Pirate]

I too have enjoyed using my GPS on airliners. I specifically have looked in the listing of approved devices in the magazines and haven't yet run into an airline that disapproved. I guess I haven't used it on American! I do shut mine down on takeoff and landing. You are correct in that it probably isn't a problem. 1 GPS running or 1 CD player running, or 1 laptop running..... I believe the concern is in the net affect created by multiple electronic gadgets emitting RF that can potentially interfere with aircraft navigational equipment. If every passenger decided to not abide by the rules it could pose a threat. I work on an EMS helicopter and even we have a formal protocol for approval of new electronic devices that we bring onboard the aircraft. The protocol requires that we power on and off the device at different times to check for interferance with radios and navigation equipment. I'd suggest powering down the device for takeoffs and landings, actually if you are caught by a flight attendant, they can make your life pretty miserable if they wanted to since federal laws are in play. We live in strange times and some people are pretty jumpy....I for one wouldn't want to be taken off of the place in handcuffs. Happy caching!