Airplane rules: computer is fine, but don't use the digital camera!

[tomd]

On a flight Saturday, people were allowed to use notebook computers, but not digital cameras!

I was in my seat scrolling through some recent shots and deleting a few when the flight attendant asked if it was a digital camera. I told her yes, then she told me to shut it off, it was a danger to everyone onboard as it could disturb the plane equipment, etc...

Later after I saw so many people using computers I asked her if computers were allowed and she said yes.

I know there is no way a camera can interfere with flight controls, it's probably a security issue, but the whole thing allowing notebooks but not digital camera is strange.

[Pete]

I think that the cabin staff were correct in not allowing cameras to be used onboard, but got the reason wrong.

Compact digital cameras on board planes will invariably need the flash to be fired to get a decent exposure (at least in P&S terms). This brief flash can be disorentating to cabin and flight staff - they see a flash go off and they might assume it's a gun being fired or a bomb detonator.

Completely sensible rule in my opinion, save the nasty flashy scarey things for things that are really nasty flashy and scarey....

[tomd]

Pete,
I never thought of the flash issue, could be. But why would film camera be allowed?

I'll add this regarding the first post: when I asked about computers, she said they were allowed as long as the cd drive was not being used.

Man, my kids would go nuts not being able to watch a movie on a long flight.

[cylentka]

I've used my digital camera during flights, but I always ask first. And I only ask after I see people turning on computers and other gadgets. I've heard that some airlines are going to start permitting cell phone usage inflight. Then everyone else will need earplugs more than ever, lol.

[deadpass]

wow, what airline was this? I've shot on a plane out the window my first few flights and no one ever said anything. Airline rules are rediculous, but what's even worse is how inconsistent the enforcement of said rules are. For this reason, I leave my cell phone on while I fly, because if it could really crash an airplane they would take everyones at the begining of a flight and put them in an EM sheilded vault on the plane.

[neil85]

i think the flight attendent was just SEVERELY misinformed. a laptop can be used as long as the dvd-rom isnt being used? so whats the difference in that and allowing small portable dvd players on flights?

the only thing ive seen never be allowed to be in use on a flight is a cell phone. ive done my fair share of flights too. just between last december to april i did 14-16 flights between mexico & the US plus all the flights inside the US prior to that.

it was just always at take off & landing that all electronics were prohibited.

edit: like others ive used my small p&s canon many flights playing with taking pictures out the window. even when flight attendants brought my meal (gotta love some airlines provided a meal in the price of ticket haha) and they didnt say anything.

[neil85]

ahhh the world of fear we live in ...


I think that the cabin staff were correct in not allowing cameras to be used onboard, but got the reason wrong.

Compact digital cameras on board planes will invariably need the flash to be fired to get a decent exposure (at least in P&S terms). This brief flash can be disorentating to cabin and flight staff - they see a flash go off and they might assume it's a gun being fired or a bomb detonator.

Completely sensible rule in my opinion, save the nasty flashy scarey things for things that are really nasty flashy and scarey....

[tomd]

wow, what airline was this?


It was Alitalia Airline. Inbound from ITaly to Chicago.

I must admit, I too was very suprised by this information.

[BillsBayou]

I'd like to toss in a handheld GPS receiver while talking about what is not allowed. Mine was not.

IT'S A RECEIVER! It generates no external interferance. It's tuning in to satelite transmissions. It's not sucking the transmission into the aircraft. The transmissions are there already. It is also not sending out transmissions. I'm not walking around with an active LoJack transmitter.

We're all just cattle to them, anyway. Creature comforts do not apply. Just sit down. Shut up. We'll get you there when we get you there. Complaints? Oh, we'll just whisper "Disturbance" into an FBI agent's ear and off you go.

[Tom W]

There's a reason that they're flight attendants and not engineers. Unfortunately, while they might be ignorant of the physics and such involved, they still get to make the rules. Such is the nature of the airline industry these days.

Your best bet is to drive if it's within a days' travel time and over land (not your situation, of course) - it's cheaper and you can travel about relatively freely with a trunkload of belongings. Plus, you don't have to rent a car at the other end.

[lostdoggy]

That's ridiculous. On my most recent flight from NYC to Florida on Jetblue, Jetblue was promoting a Photo challenge of best in flight photo taken from inside their Airplane. The submission included digital format. So if digital camera will disrupt Nav system then how is anyone going to take a digital photo to submit.

[Jon]

It's up to the airlines what you can use. The FAR states § 91.21 Portable electronic devices.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may operate, nor may any operator or pilot in command of an aircraft allow the operation of, any portable electronic device on any of the following U.S.-registered civil aircraft:

(1) Aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate; or

(2) Any other aircraft while it is operated under IFR.

(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to—

(1) Portable voice recorders;

(2) Hearing aids;

(3) Heart pacemakers;

(4) Electric shavers; or

(5) Any other portable electronic device that the operator of the aircraft has determined will not cause interference with the navigation or communication system of the aircraft on which it is to be used.

(c) In the case of an aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate, the determination required by paragraph (b)(5) of this section shall be made by that operator of the aircraft on which the particular device is to be used. In the case of other aircraft, the determination may be made by the pilot in command or other operator of the aircraft.
The FAA has more to do than test every single electronic device that may come along and produce an exhaustive list of what works.

[breal101]

It's up to the airlines what you can use. The FAR states
The FAA has more to do than test every single electronic device that may come along and produce an exhaustive list of what works.

Yep, that's what Mythbusters is for. Seems they busted the one about cell phones interfering with nav systems.

[jondru]

BTW, receivers include oscillators. Oscillators, if not shielded properly, CAN transmit RF. Sometimes at unexpected and definitely undesirable frequencies. For example, cheap, poorly shielded CD players can generate and transmit surprisingly strong RF; the signals are harmonics of the timing clock they use.

And I'm a big fan of Mythbusters, but I'm more inclined to believe the data collected by the engineers who reported on several incidents of passenger-generated RF that definitely interfered with aircraft instruments, navigation, and autopilot systems. This was reported in an issue if IEEE Spectrum some years ago.

[Jon]

Actually, the FAA reports on their website that they worked with one airline on pico-cells in the 800 Mhz band, so the plane would have its own mini-cell tower to relay. The biggest stumbling block on cells is the FCC, who don't want your cell at 30,000 ft. hitting too many towers.

[ibdb]

The FAA has more to do than test every single electronic device that may come along and produce an exhaustive list of what works.
I'm in complete agreement with you there, Jon. What puzzles me is the completely random and capricious nature by which some individuals, at some times, and in some places, choose to enforce what they claim to be universal standards. The line about laptops being fine as long as the CD players are off is particularly odd, given how many people use the laptops to watch movies during travel.

We just traveled to Boston and back. The airport screenings had different requirements in Seattle than they did in Boston. Doing the EXACT same thing I did in Seattle with no issues got me a scolding and an invitation to try again with my laptop, cel phone, and camera bag in Boston. :confused: Similar things have happened to me before from Seattle to Hawaii. Once I'm "inside" the secured portion of the airport, everything's supposed to be equal, so why are there so many different interpretations of what's required to get "inside?"

Not trying to be a militant photographer in any way, but I wonder if a P&S would have received the same treatment as a DSLR. I know that I saw P&S cameras on all my flights this last trip, and never saw anyone instructed to put anything away.

[rklepper]

I just flew back from DC and although I did not see anyone using a digital camera, there were several watching DVD's in their laptop's.

Pete,
I never thought of the flash issue, could be. But why would film camera be allowed?

I'll add this regarding the first post: when I asked about computers, she said they were allowed as long as the cd drive was not being used.

Man, my kids would go nuts not being able to watch a movie on a long flight.

[willowtree]

Good post, seems the airlines are consistently inconsistent.

Perhaps Terrorists should consider using CDs Walkmans Archos DVDs PCs as methods for over-running a plane! As they will all get through security


The camera flash going off - I have seen cabin stewards taking photos on instamatic cameras to give to child passengers.

Too much RF or whatever the term is from Electronic devices?
One Emirates flight I was on said it was OK to use a mobile up to the point of take-off, then on landing it was while the Plane was still Taxiing to the terminal.

Now they have this
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=415303&in_page_id=1770&ct=5

Anyway, there is always a cacophony on landing on-board a international flight, as mobile phones get turned on again (by people who have not been instructed in their native language) – if there was any RF surge it would occur now.


Should you also turn off Mobile phones when filling a vehicle? – There are Filling stations (in Asia) that allow you to pay with credits from a mobile phone.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/21/technology/technology_30045829.php


Wish I had the answer.

[T.D.]

I've had flight attendants take pictures of me and friends with my digital P&S.

[2005GLI]

i think its funny that they'ed say that to you. I mean they said your not allowed to use cellphones on the plane, but i just saw that new apple iphone commercial with the pilot talking about how he used his iphone to look at the weather and call the tower for permission to preceed for takeoff. hmmmmm.

[gheesom]

Yeah I saw the mythbusters epsiode, very good. doesn't do a thing, but as someone said they would have to check every single phone just incase....the camera thing I just don't get.

[mulga bill]

Hey guys I challenge you,myth busters to if they'll do it and this is said with a huge smile.Try taking on board a big mac with all the cheese and other poopy things hanging out of it,can't be that risky can it? i mean..they don't emit much radiation do they?

[cylentka]

Hey guys I challenge you,myth busters to if they'll do it and this is said with a huge smile.Try taking on board a big mac with all the cheese and other poopy things hanging out of it,can't be that risky can it? i mean..they don't emit much radiation do they?

Well according to some people, it would if it had been microwaved. ;):D

[Ukuleleman]

It's complete tripe! here in England, Hale bop comet fans paid good money to British Airways to go on a flight in a 747 (I think it was a 747) specifically intended for photography of the comet, Our mad xzylophone playing astronomer Patrick Moore was on board and he was enraged by the number of flashes going off when they reached altitude, particularly since the comet was something like 22 million miles away! but every time a flash went off (they had turnerd off the cabin lights) everybody went blind for 5 or 6 seconds.

[tonybear007]

According to the EOS 40D manual:

"Before using the camera inside an airplane or hospital, check if it is allowed. Electromagnetic waves emitted by the camera may interfere with the plane's instruments or the hospital's medical equipment."

[heidibot]

Last time I was on an airplane they said cameras were fine as long as you didn't use a flash. *shrug*

[hojita]

Last time I was on a plane, I used my digital camera just fine. Though, I didn't attempt it once I got back into the US. In Chile though, I even managed to take pictures during take off. ....oops. Oh well. No one stopped me....

so maybe it's a US thing?