AppleMacGeniusVille

While on a flight to San Antonio I was listening to the usual announcements… “Ladies and gentlemen, the use of electronic devices are not permitted during take off and landing..” then I heard “The main cabin door is now closed the use of cellular phones are not permitted, cell phone airplane mode is not permitted”, hold on! Airplane mode is not permitted on an airplane. Well how do I listen to my music on my iPhone that I purchased for my almost 4 hour trip. I felt something was wrong or someone was missed informed. So while taking off I just happen to be all the way in the back with one if the flight attendants. So I asked her, “Why can’t I use Airplane mode on an Airplane?”. Her answer was this, “Airplane mode on cellular phones has not been approved by the FCC. ” WTF? I then brought up a very interesting subject of Palms. Palms and Treos only have a Airplane mode as far as I know and do not turn off, they go in to a standby state. So do iPods. Sure the screen is off but it’s still stays completely on in this standby state for a long time before it goes in to what I have called a hibernate mode. So besides the FCC screwing XM and Sirus, now they are screwing with our personal electronic devices. As far as I know a iPhone, once in “Airplane” mode is officially a iPod with only iPod functions. What about computers that have wireless built in. Should they not be used because of wireless built in like the iPhone. If I turn off my all wireless on my computer I consider that “Airplane Mode”. So next time you fly listen very carefully. By the way this was a US Airways flight. Oh! One last thing… She also told me that starting in June, I get NO snacks at all on any US Airways flight….so now no food and no tunes..what’s next??????

Follow-up: Once I got back to the office the question was asked, “doesn’t the FCC have to approve Airplane mode for it to be included on a cellular phone”

I have also found this article:

October 12, 2007 2:32 PM PDT
ATA Airlines detains passenger for using iPhone in ‘airplane mode’
http://www.news.com/8301-13579_3-9796512-37.html