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Posted on Friday 01 April 2011 in Flights
It happens on every flight, no matter what destination travelers depart from. Flight attendants ask passengers to turn off their cell phones and everyone breathes a sigh of heavy trepidation at the risk of missing an important call or text message.
According to AOL Travel News, there is an actual reason for the no-electronics requirement. Airlines need to make sure passengers are listening to instructions about safety by the flight attendants at the beginning of the flight. In addition, having electronics shut off during take off and landing reduces the possibility of of loose objects blocking exits should an emergency occur.
It also helps reduce the risk of interference with avionics. Researchers aren't 100 percent sure what sort of effect electronics might have on the clarity of airwaves, but it's better to be safe than sorry, according to the FAA website.
Emirates Airways and Singapore Airlines allow cell phone usage, reports AOL, so why not America? "We are not seeking a way to use cell phones in flight. Our customers have made it clear they do not want phone conversations in flight," said American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith.
So while it's not exactly clear what effect portable electronics have on airplane capacity, the general consensus appears to be: it's better safe, than sorry.
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