MP3's and Ipods on board????

[lukenick]

It is totally necessary to turn off mp3's when asked to do so for take off and landing?? I feel listening to my mp3 calms me during both so I don't want to have to shut it off.
Is it safe for me to keep it on or does it interfere with the plane?? How about cell phones???
Thanks

[tusphotog]

It is totally necessary to turn off mp3's when asked to do so for take off and landing?? I feel listening to my mp3 calms me during both so I don't want to have to shut it off.
Is it safe for me to keep it on or does it interfere with the plane?? How about cell phones???
Thanks

Will they hurt the plane? Most likely not. However, if in the event of an evacuation, you want to be able to hear the FAs.

Cell phones probably don't interfere, judging by a friend's experience flying on a very high profile military aircraft. He said they use their laptop cell cards and cell phones up to at least 10,000 ft, when the signal drops out. Of course, that plane is probably shielded to the gills, much more than your standard passenger aircraft.

[Barb-SAN]

It is totally necessary to turn off mp3's when asked to do so for take off and landing?? I feel listening to my mp3 calms me during both so I don't want to have to shut it off.
I have a feeling that Capt. Hutch is going to strongly suggest that you follow ALL of the instructions from the FA's, including turning off ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES for takeoff and landing, including your cell phone. For one thing, there are the safety instructions that you are going to be listening to during the taxiing to the runway. You are going to be reading that card stored in the seatback in front of you. You know, the one with locations of all the emergency exits, and what to do if you have to evacuate over water. You may feel "calmer" listening to your MP3, but those few minutes of information COULD save your life one day. So, be a good worrier, turn off the MP3, and PAY ATTENTION TO THE FA'S! :)

Then, think ahead now to what you will need to do to help yourself stay calm if you can't listen to music for 5-10 minutes. There are lots of suggestions from the psychologist over there at www.anxieties.com (http://www.anxieties.com), and lots more here at TF on many different threads. The main ones; breathing, relaxation exercises, distraction (look out the window, talk to seatmate, close eyes and daydream, etc).

[MathFox]

GSM cellphones generate a signal that can interfere with radio communication and navigation equipment. (I have heard the typical GSM noise and following remarks from ATC on LiveAtc.net.) There is a good reason to keep transmitters switched off during the flight.

The problem with other electronic equipment is that the flight attendants don't know all gadgets. At least I don't expect them to know how they can verify that my "mp3-phone" is in plane-safe mode. They follow some rules of the thumb (somehow use of electronic cameras is tolerated during take-off and landing.)

Just follow FA instructions; I carry paper and pencil puzzles with me. :angel:

[Vix]

As a nervous flyer, I'm sure you would agree with the old saying "Better safe than sorry!" It's not for long anyway - usually levelled out in about less than 30 minutes with my experience, so it's worth being extremely nervous and safe, rather than unsafe and calm.

~x

[Captain Hutch]

Lukenick,

I have to echo Barb-SAN and MathFox's replies here and strongly suggest following the Flight Attendant's instructions. I have discussed the electronic devices question a few times here on some other threads, at least once mentioning a warning I received during the landing phase of the flight that I have a strong feeling was related to cell phone/s being on at that time. Not only that, think of how you might feel if you saw another passenger not following instructions, not knowing exactly what electronic device was being used by that passenger?

Thanks for bringing up this important issue again so that others may be reinforced by the correct procedure.

Hutch :tiphat:

[Kimmar]

I did ask during my flight from CYOW to KMCO when I could turn on my camera to take pics/videos and she said it was Ok to take pics as soon as we started rolling! (So I did! LOL) It helped to calm me but like everyone else has said, do what they ask, and learn other techniques to calm yourself that don't rely on outside gadgets.

I think it's far better to have a tool you can use that comes from within and is not dependant upon anything but your mind so that you don't feel like you can't fly because your MP3 player decided to stop working as your plane started rolling down the runway... Cause you *know* it will happen according to Murphy's law...:cry: