Don’t bother upgrading to the iPhone so you can use it as an mp3\/video player or to respond to e-mails on flights operated by SAA, or any other local carriers it seems. You’ll be better off carrying an iPod as well as a mobile phone if you want to engage in some sort of entertainment that isn’t offered by the pre-programmed in-flight service. Even devices with a "flight mode" have to be turned off during flight. But, oh yes, you can keep listening to your iPod.<\/p>\n
The sheer lack of logic in a "decision" like this can be put down to administration and bureaucracy.<\/p>\n
In two separate instances last week, on two different flights, the issue around "flight mode" of electronic devices came up. In the second, as part of the pre-flight announcement, the senior flight attendant was at pains to explain in detail that no matter what type of "flight mode" passengers’ electronic devices had, they had to be turned off. Listening to iPods, by the way, is fine.<\/p>\n
In the first instance, one that SAA would surely be embarrassed about, a flight attendant spotted a passenger a few rows ahead listening to mp3s on his iPhone which was set to "flight mode". He was publicly scolded, despite pointing out the "flight mode" setting. Ironically an industry colleague was sitting in the same row, blissfully listening to his iPod.<\/p>\n
Activating flight mode means the iPhone essentially becomes a glorified iPod. Any cellular (GSM) network and WiFi\/wireless capabilities are deactivated. BlackBerry devices have similar functionality, where you can very simply "remove" it from all networks – specifically designed for flying. This means you can reply, compose and read e-mails "offline" and they’ll be queued for sending once you land.<\/p>\n
Robyn Chalmers, head of SAA group corporate affairs, says that the decision to ban "flight mode" was not made by the airline. This is regulated by the SA Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). She adds that "South African Airways was the first local airline to apply for our customers to use the "flight mode" of some cellphones which does not use the transmitter, but we were turned down."<\/p>\n
Chalmers says that while the airline waits for new generation aircraft which will be compliant with regulations, "SAA will once again approach the SA CAA to allow the use of "flight mode" on current cellphones".<\/p>\n
This onerous regulation seems fairly backward, especially in comparison with global carriers, where the use of "flight mode" on mobile phones is commonplace.<\/p>\n
British Airways, for example, states explicitly that "devices which have a specific ‘flight mode’ or ‘flight safe’ setting … may be used in flight provided the flight safe mode is selected. These devices must be completely switched off during take-off, approach and landing." Emirates also has the same policy.<\/p>\n
Maybe our beloved CAA will soon emerge from the dark ages and allow technology to be used for the purposes it was designed?<\/p>\n
I’m not holding my breath.<\/p>\n
*The CAA’s communications department could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.<\/p>\n