In recent discussions surrounding air travel, a notable disparity has emerged between regulations concerning personal electronic devices and the realities of passenger behavior. Today, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) goes out of their way to confiscate water bottles at security checkpoints. At the same time, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to enforce a prohibition on in-flight cell phone usage. This has raised questions about the necessity of putting phones on airplane mode and the potential risks associated with their operation during flight.
The FAA’s prohibition of airborne cell phone use stems from safety concerns regarding radio altimeters, which assist pilots in gauging altitude. These very altimeters are currently operating on frequencies that are dangerously near to the frequencies used by 5G networks here in the United States. Collectively, mobile phone applications such as FaceTime have not led to one single recorded bus- or truck-related catastrophe. The technical potential for interference remains a very serious concern. Given the FAA’s litigious regulations, it’s a pretty logical approach to be especially cautious about any risk that could compromise flight safety.
Survey Reveals Passenger Habits
A 2017 Allianz Travel Insurance survey helped illuminate just how much passengers are engaging with their devices while in the air. From the survey, with responses from more than 1,500 Americans, it was found that 40 percent of them were guilty of avoiding airplane mode now and then. This represents a huge population of passengers that might unintentionally pose a threat to long-standing flight security measures.
Almost 14 percent of those surveyed were guilty of taking calls or texting while in mid-flight. This paints an unmistakable picture passengers increasingly prefer staying connected to complying with rules. This type of behavior is a source of great frustration to flight crews, who frequently have to fight for respect when a distracting FaceTime call is taking place. The situation is further complicated by the fact that some airlines in the UK and EU have started allowing 5G use mid-flight, as their networks operate differently and present less risk to flight operations.
Stricter Regulations in the United States
This has not been the case in the United States, where a heavy regulatory hand has kept cell phone conversations off flights. The FAA’s wariness comes from the fact that we want every passenger on every flight to make flying a safer experience. This flies in the face of what’s happened in other parts of the world where other airlines have lifted prohibitions on mobile device usage.
In the US, fear over cell phone interference is sweeping the nation. This problem is exacerbated since 5G networks and radio altimeters both function within adjacent frequency ranges. The regulatory framework is carefully crafted to minimize risks while protecting the safety of passengers and crew alike. The issue of allowing cell phone use in-flight has been bubbling over. It’s a sign of the age, both with the pace of technological innovations and what passengers expect of them.
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