Tethering on Airplane

[kilo]

Am I right in assuming one would not be allowed to USB tether a phone to a laptop to receive internet while on a flight? This would essentially be the same as talking on the phone during flight and is prohibited right? Just wondering as I just got tethering working and it would be nice to have internet during flights, a google search yielded NO relevant results so either I am stupid or no one has thought to try this yet?

I am skeptical as to how much 'interference' a cell phone signal really causes to airplane instruments. Would they really be dumb enough to have anything operating on the same frequencies as cell phones? My dad is a aircraft mechanic for USairways, I will ask him today and find out. Any thoughts folks?

 

[Sleeve]

Uhm. How exactly are you going to get a connection at 37,000 feet?

 

[garrett]

Uhm. How exactly are you going to get a connection at 37,000 feet?

ive been on several flights and would turn my phone on for a few seconds to check messages and have never had an issue getting signal.

 

[DJTURNz]

I am pretty sure that the radio waves coming from a cell tower are omni-diractional, so they go in every direction, including up.

I mean, come on, how do you think the aliens monitor us?

 

[Sleeve]

And the distance limit of a CDMA tower is?

 

[garrett]

I mean, come on, how do you think the aliens monitor us?

because they live next to us. :icon_ poke:

 

[garrett]

And the distance limit of a CDMA tower is?

up to 10 miles on land with minimal interference and there have been reports of up to 20 miles with direct line of sight.

 

[DJTURNz]

You mean with no hills, trees, and billboards in the way? Probably pretty far. 37K ft? don't know.

ETA: Garrett jumped in while I was typing. I was answering SLEEVE

 

[JhankG]

I'll give it a try the next time I fly, which will be the middle of next month. It it works, I'll be as discrete as possible (until it causes the plane to go down).

 

[Backnblack]

Not too bright of an idea....There are reasons there are rules about no transmitting from an aircraft inflight.....

 

[DJTURNz]

Not too bright of an idea....There are reasons there are rules about no transmitting from an aircraft inflight.....

Maybe. That used to be the rule in Hospitals too, but that changed.

I would think that the electronics of a plane are more stable than that. Otherwise, why they be trying to sneak bombs on board. Just bring a cellphone and text yourself all the way to Allah.




Crashing Planes? Yeah, there's an app for that.

 

[JhankG]

Not too bright of an idea....There are reasons there are rules about no transmitting from an aircraft inflight.....

I guess I needed to type out that I'm joking.

 

[huskur]

There are no "real" issues with cell phones being on during flight. If they said it was "ok" to use cell phones it would annoy half the passengers. That is the main reason they ask for them to be turned off.

I once sat in the rear of a plane near an empty seat when a pilot that was travelling home on the flight sat next to me. When they asked to "turn off all electronic devices including cell phones" the pilot just silenced his and went on. I continued to monitor what he was doing and he was getting intermittent texts during flight. Since then i have used my cell phone for messenging a few time during flight. Signal comes and goes but it does work.

Remember 9-11? Plenty of recorded phone calls from the planes.

Having your phone off is for "courtesy" only

 

[kilo]

Well if having it off is for courtesy only, and I get 3g signal at 30k feet, you bet your ass im gonna be on the web in my seat. It will just look like I am charging my phone hehe.:icon_ devil: Just be sure your sound and vib and such are off.

EDIT: I will let you guys know how it goes. Or just look for me on the news: Pittsburgh Student Kills 200 via Macbook Web Browsing

 

[toolfreak]

ive always herd it has the possibility to cause interference to the planes electronics. think mythbusters tested this but can not remember the results.