How would you you crash a plane?

[mudskipper]

Flying home last night I was asked to switch my kindle off during takeoff.

I'm not sure it even has an 'off', but I obediently stuck it back in my bag.

Exactly why are we supposed to switch off all electronic devices? If it was that easy to crash a plane, surely all Bill Terrorist would have to do is to leave his mobile phone on? And what about digital watches? Why are they not banned too?

[Cliphead]

Exactly why are we supposed to switch off all electronic devices?

There's absolutley no good reason for doing so on any aircraft. Paranoia.

[mudskipper]

They've started to allow mobile phones in some hospitals now. Maybe airlines will get there eventually. Kindles seems to be taking things to the extreme though.

[MarillionFan]

It's stupidity. Phones 'may' interfere with the radio / comms on the plane with famous pips but I doubt that even happens much.

[bobspud]

It's stupidity. Phones 'may' interfere with the radio / comms on the plane with famous pips but I doubt that even happens much.

This ^

However -

For some reason in the past someone made the decision that aircraft manufacturers do not have to shield their equipement. This was fine when laptops were the size off singer sewing machines and no one carried portable devices. However with the proliferation of all sorts of mobile stuff there is no way to ensure that the legacy stuff is protected. So to ensure safety they ask consumers to switch off their "digital teddy bears" and sit quiet while daddy lands the plane. There are reports out in the public domain of pilots getting all sorts of interference over Heathrow and other major airports.

Edit! Removed link (should have read the entire article! FAIL)

[SimonMac]

The one that always got me was I can use my laptop, but not its CD Drive!

But then again if you are 35,000ft in the area might interfere is still a big risk

[VectraMan]

They still have those switch off mobile phones signs at petrol stations, but when has a mobile phone ever caused a fire at a petrol station? I very much doubt it's ever happened.

[SimonMac]

They still have those switch off mobile phones signs at petrol stations, but when has a mobile phone ever caused a fire at a petrol station? I very much doubt it's ever happened.

That one I know, its not the radio signals from phones, its the old type batteries that if dropped and leak can ignite the petrol vapour

[MarillionFan]

That one I know, its not the radio signals from phones, its the old type batteries that if dropped and leak can ignite the petrol vapour

It's an urban myth. Proof or it's never happened.

[SimonMac]

It's an urban myth. Prove or it's never happened.