I’m on the plane!
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| RUNWAY SUCCESS? You might not be able to call from your moving vehicle any more but fasten your seat belt, calling from a plane will soon be possible |
PICTURE the scene. You've watched the safety video, eaten your in-flight meal and endured the film.
You've read the magazine and made small talk with the passenger sitting next to you - now it's time for a sleep.
Cue annoying ringtones, noisy text alerts and even noisier voices because mobile phones are no longer banned in the air.
This scene is not yet reality but is coming to a plane near you as soon as a few remaining technological hurdles have been overcome.
But is it good news for passengers keen to keep in touch with the outside world or the destruction of the last remaining mobile-free zone known to man?
At Bournemouth Airport passengers were unanimous in their horror that their peace and quiet is about to be ruined.
"I have two mobile phones which go everywhere with me but I really like being on a plane because it is the one place that no one can contact me," said Scott Dawson from Southampton.
"Why would I want to be sitting next to someone involved in a lengthy telephone call? There would be a huge annoyance factor."
Tim Weeks from Sturminster Newton added: "I do not think it is a good idea - it would annoy me if I was sitting on a plane and someone was chirping away next to me."
And Constance Rowbotham from the Isle of Wight said: "If I was on a long flight and I wanted to go to sleep it would definitely be a problem."
Their comments will be music to the ears of Bournemouth-based Palmair managing director David Skillicorn who said he will have to be "dragged kicking and screaming into allowing mobile phones on flights.
"We will not be at the front edge of this. I think our passengers are happy with the way things are," he added.
"We don't even have movies on our flights because I think passengers realise it is just another way of forcing advertising down their throats."
Mr Skillicorn said he believes all airlines throughout the world will eventually allow passengers to use phones and added: "I am quite certain that the business community is crying out for this facility.
"However, the prospect of having to sit for hours listening to someone jabbering on a mobile phone is pretty irritating."
Passenger Andrew Tuffin, flying to Grenoble yesterday said: "It doesn't bother me that I can't use my phone," while Polly Dawson added: "I prefer things the way they are, particularly for a long-haul flight. It is nice to be able to switch my phone off."
Communications regulator Ofcom has given the all-clear for British aircraft to install systems to allow phone use, which means airlines can apply for the wavelengths needed to make calls in the air.
Aircraft will be able to link up with mobile operators via satellite and passengers would pay a roaming rate and be billed by their phone companies as normal.
It is not yet known how much calls will cost but they are expected to be expensive as airlines, service providers, satellite providers and on-ground networks will all want a share of the cash.
Although many aircraft already offer on-board phone services, passengers in Europe are banned from using their own handsets.
7:00pm Thursday 27th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: John, Poole on 8:15pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote]I think passengers realise it is just another way of forcing advertising down their throats."
Mr Skillicorn said[/quote]
How fortunate Mr Skillicorn is to have the Echo doing his advertising for him, free of charge!
I think passengers realise it is just another way of forcing advertising down their throats."
Mr Skillicorn said
How fortunate Mr Skillicorn is to have the Echo doing his advertising for him, free of charge!
Posted by: Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West on 10:58pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Bravo David Skillicorn. At least our journeys to Europe with Palmair will be ringtone and chit chat free.
John, Poole. I think it is quite right that Palmair have advertising in the Echo, free or not. They certainly play an ambassadorial role for Bournemouth where ever they go.
We like Palmair as it is.
Bravo David Skillicorn. At least our journeys to Europe with Palmair will be ringtone and chit chat free.
John, Poole. I think it is quite right that Palmair have advertising in the Echo, free or not. They certainly play an ambassadorial role for Bournemouth where ever they go.
We like Palmair as it is.
Posted by: Mike Pickering, Bournemouth on 2:23am Fri 28 Mar 08
....You know - according to the 911 Commissions version of the events of Sep11, 2001 - dozens of cellphone calls (as well as calls from the airphones on the plane), were made that fateful morning from all the hijacked planes, at altitudes up to and above 30,000 feet.
What are we to believe - that the technology to make cellphone calls DID and has subsequently existed since then, or if not - and the telecom industry is unequivocal in it's assertion that the ability to make cellphone calls from moving aircraft at altitude relies on new technologies only recently in place, then we have to ask who is lying to us and to what end ?
....You know - according to the 911 Commissions version of the events of Sep11, 2001 - dozens of cellphone calls (as well as calls from the airphones on the plane), were made that fateful morning from all the hijacked planes, at altitudes up to and above 30,000 feet.
What are we to believe - that the technology to make cellphone calls DID and has subsequently existed since then, or if not - and the telecom industry is unequivocal in it's assertion that the ability to make cellphone calls from moving aircraft at altitude relies on new technologies only recently in place, then we have to ask who is lying to us and to what end ?
Posted by: Erica Monk, Australia on 2:41am Fri 28 Mar 08
I'm not very smart when it comes to technology but couldn't this prove to be a security hazzard? I'd like to hear what others have to say.
I'm not very smart when it comes to technology but couldn't this prove to be a security hazzard? I'd like to hear what others have to say.
Posted by: steve bowman, throop on 9:07am Fri 28 Mar 08
The reason Palm air don't have movies on thier flights or the installation of mobile phones has nothing to do with anything else other than cost, nothing to do with pax comfort.
The reason Palm air don't have movies on thier flights or the installation of mobile phones has nothing to do with anything else other than cost, nothing to do with pax comfort.
Posted by: John, Poole on 11:01am Fri 28 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Christopher[/bold] wrote:
Bravo David Skillicorn. At least our journeys to Europe with Palmair will be ringtone and chit chat free. John, Poole. I think it is quite right that Palmair have advertising in the Echo, free or not. They certainly play an ambassadorial role for Bournemouth where ever they go. We like Palmair as it is. [/quote] If by ambassadorial role, you mean Palmair has managers that live the high life at their clients' expense (compared for example with Council Executives, as referred to in today's Echo item), then I can but agree. One would expect a better service for the inflated charges made by Palmair.
My original point with regard to David Skillicorn, was that his quote on excessive advertising brings to mind the 2 words pot and kettle. I suspect the free advertising Skillicorn gets from the Echo has more to do with his media contacts than, heaven forbid, freebies at their customers' expense. I am, however glad that the noise will be restricted on Palmair planes, even if that from Mr Skillicorn is not reduced!
Christopher wrote:
Bravo David Skillicorn. At least our journeys to Europe with Palmair will be ringtone and chit chat free. John, Poole. I think it is quite right that Palmair have advertising in the Echo, free or not. They certainly play an ambassadorial role for Bournemouth where ever they go. We like Palmair as it is.
If by ambassadorial role, you mean Palmair has managers that live the high life at their clients' expense (compared for example with Council Executives, as referred to in today's Echo item), then I can but agree. One would expect a better service for the inflated charges made by Palmair.
My original point with regard to David Skillicorn, was that his quote on excessive advertising brings to mind the 2 words pot and kettle. I suspect the free advertising Skillicorn gets from the Echo has more to do with his media contacts than, heaven forbid, freebies at their customers' expense. I am, however glad that the noise will be restricted on Palmair planes, even if that from Mr Skillicorn is not reduced!
Posted by: observer, bmth on 3:37pm Fri 28 Mar 08
[bold]Am I going to be able to order a take away
instad of the inflight meals?[/bold]
Am I going to be able to order a take away
instad of the inflight meals? Posted by: observer, bmth on 3:38pm Fri 28 Mar 08
[bold]instead for all you phussy[bold]bold[/bold] people[/bold]
instead for all you phussy people Posted by: rfraser3, Bournemouth on 3:44pm Fri 28 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Christopher[/bold] wrote:
Bravo David Skillicorn. At least our journeys to Europe with Palmair will be ringtone and chit chat free. John, Poole. I think it is quite right that Palmair have advertising in the Echo, free or not. They certainly play an ambassadorial role for Bournemouth where ever they go. We like Palmair as it is. [/quote] Agreed!!!
Christopher wrote:
Bravo David Skillicorn. At least our journeys to Europe with Palmair will be ringtone and chit chat free. John, Poole. I think it is quite right that Palmair have advertising in the Echo, free or not. They certainly play an ambassadorial role for Bournemouth where ever they go. We like Palmair as it is.
Agreed!!!
Posted by: Sarah, Poole on 3:52pm Fri 28 Mar 08
I quite agree with Christopher - I'd love to know where John thinks they live the high life? I've seen some of them drive around and they are in standard cars so assuming they live in standard houses just like the rest of us!!!
I quite agree with Christopher - I'd love to know where John thinks they live the high life? I've seen some of them drive around and they are in standard cars so assuming they live in standard houses just like the rest of us!!!
Posted by: storm, poole on 6:03pm Fri 28 Mar 08
I guess in such an enclosed, compact environment this could be a bit annoying, not quite the same subject but does anybody know why you can't use a camcorder on a plane, is it security (looks like a weapon) or interference with the tech side? Obviously not to spy but filming the view might have been good.
I guess in such an enclosed, compact environment this could be a bit annoying, not quite the same subject but does anybody know why you can't use a camcorder on a plane, is it security (looks like a weapon) or interference with the tech side? Obviously not to spy but filming the view might have been good.
Posted by: Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West on 7:05pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Cameras, either still or movie are permitted in the passenger cabin and can be used. The flight crew are really concerned on take off and landing, so if anything did go wrong a camera does not fly about the cabin.
I have used a HDD DVD Camera in flight, with some good results.
They do not harm anything onboard. However, I do think that mobile phones not only cause hinderance to other passengers but can be used for other things as we know, or at least the connection.
John, I do not think that any member of Palmair staff are any more better off than any other airline crews. In fact being a smaller company I am certain it would be less. Remember the costs of a ticket, broken down does not leave the company it was purchased from with much surplus financially.
Anyway what is wrong with paying for that little extra in the service one receives from Palmair.
Cameras, either still or movie are permitted in the passenger cabin and can be used. The flight crew are really concerned on take off and landing, so if anything did go wrong a camera does not fly about the cabin.
I have used a HDD DVD Camera in flight, with some good results.
They do not harm anything onboard. However, I do think that mobile phones not only cause hinderance to other passengers but can be used for other things as we know, or at least the connection.
John, I do not think that any member of Palmair staff are any more better off than any other airline crews. In fact being a smaller company I am certain it would be less. Remember the costs of a ticket, broken down does not leave the company it was purchased from with much surplus financially.
Anyway what is wrong with paying for that little extra in the service one receives from Palmair.
Posted by: storm, poole on 10:41pm Sat 5 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Christopher[/bold] wrote:
Cameras, either still or movie are permitted in the passenger cabin and can be used. The flight crew are really concerned on take off and landing, so if anything did go wrong a camera does not fly about the cabin. I have used a HDD DVD Camera in flight, with some good results. They do not harm anything onboard. However, I do think that mobile phones not only cause hinderance to other passengers but can be used for other things as we know, or at least the connection. John, I do not think that any member of Palmair staff are any more better off than any other airline crews. In fact being a smaller company I am certain it would be less. Remember the costs of a ticket, broken down does not leave the company it was purchased from with much surplus financially. Anyway what is wrong with paying for that little extra in the service one receives from Palmair. [/quote] Just to say thanks for answering that one. I was pounced on by Flybe stuck up madam, nearly snatching it out of my hands, the all clear had been given after reaching the heights for inflight mode on games etc, thought this was rather unjust to rudely demand I put camera away and couldn't answer why.
Christopher wrote:
Cameras, either still or movie are permitted in the passenger cabin and can be used. The flight crew are really concerned on take off and landing, so if anything did go wrong a camera does not fly about the cabin. I have used a HDD DVD Camera in flight, with some good results. They do not harm anything onboard. However, I do think that mobile phones not only cause hinderance to other passengers but can be used for other things as we know, or at least the connection. John, I do not think that any member of Palmair staff are any more better off than any other airline crews. In fact being a smaller company I am certain it would be less. Remember the costs of a ticket, broken down does not leave the company it was purchased from with much surplus financially. Anyway what is wrong with paying for that little extra in the service one receives from Palmair.
Just to say thanks for answering that one. I was pounced on by Flybe stuck up madam, nearly snatching it out of my hands, the all clear had been given after reaching the heights for inflight mode on games etc, thought this was rather unjust to rudely demand I put camera away and couldn't answer why.
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