[SimonRowberry]

You’d be a brave man to take it, LP!

Happy New Year too.

Simon

[MartynSinclair]

Simon, apart from JAL, it seems that you are OK to leave electronics switched in in checked bags. If it gets stolen, then you can certainly claim.

Interesting concept though for lost lugage/tracking lugage. Would the Dragons from the Dragons Den think similaly and invest!?

[craigwatson]

It is a myth that electronics interfere with aircraft equipment. The reason they were banned was a plea from the mobile networks back in the 80-90’s as the phones are designed to be in range of 4-5 mobile towers at any one time, whereas on take off and landing they were connecting to 100’s and it was making the networks crash, as the systems were thinking there was a problem as it is impossible for a phone to be in range of so many towers.

It was the regulatory authority in the States that asked the FAA to ban mobile phones, and it has grown from there.

[VintageKrug]

Martyn Sinclair it is absolutely not fair to say that “apart from JAL it is OK to leave elctronics switched on”.

The JAL example was simply one culled from a quick google search; there are other airlines with similar guidelines, it just wouldn’t have made for very interesting reading to quote them all.

It does seem to be more mobile phone industry related than safety related; I have inadvertently left my various mobile devices on a number of flights, with no ill effects.

Though I would say the defence of the “non-interference” argument that I recall an approach into SIN once when we jerked rather unpleasantly and a somewhat perturbed captain came on the PA and asked everyone in First and on the Upper Deck to get out of their seats (we were strapped in for approach, so this was no idle request) and double check all their mobile devices were switched off; it seems the captain can identify when there is interference.

Even if that interference is just the sort of “pips” you get near a spider phone being heard by the captain through his/her headphones I would rather ensure that critical verbal instructions from the control tower are not interfered with by a seeking mobile phone.

As a consequence I am now always extracautious to turn everything off, and it would seem rather daft to experiment with other people’s safety by leaving electronics switched on, when it is certainly illegal in many countries, against guidance in most, and the likelihood of actually losing luggage (barring theft) for ever can be totally eliminated by using the Ten Commandments set out in the first post, and insurance will cover any loss if the worst happens.

[Kalicouk]

Thanks for the info Craig Watson. It reflects what I’ve always thought – that if aircraft electronics cannot be designed that are immune from interference from an easily identifiable range of frequencies which are, relatively, very low power, then I’m not sure I’d want to be getting onto any plane.

The same goes for the ban (now less rigorously enforced) on using mobile phones in hospitals, in case it interfered with the electronic equipment in use with patients. It strikes me that that should be a problem for the manufacturers of such kit.

[JohnPhelanAustralia]

Who the hell wants mobile phones to be used in the air? Aircraft are about the last refuge from incessant ringing and rude people having loud conversations that intrude onto everyone else’s enjoyment!

No problem with systems that allow internet access and texting, but no voice calls in the air, please!!

[SSTBeliever]

Thank you for the advice requested earlier. I am happy to report that I have just had a call from Antler and, true to their word, they came good. They persisted with the BA luggage people and finally managed to receive the all important notification from T3.
An identical replacement bag will be arriving by courier tomorrow.
Good service from a contractor to BA – thank you Antler. This result does not really redeem the number of miserable experiences my family and I have had with BA over the last 12 months but at least it is not adding to the list.

[JohnPhelanAustralia]

If only you could have flown in from SYD on a Concorde, SST! But good that your bag will be replaced.

Funniest experience with luggage for me was in Guangzhou, China (CAN) – bag was damaged in flight, went to the baggage service desk, and was IMMEDIATELY presented with a new, similar sized bag, still wrapped in plastic! Apparently it happens so often there that they keep a wide stock of replacements and hand them out on the spot – not even a need for any paperwork!

[MartynSinclair]

VintageKrug, since when are checked bags kept in the cabin, Read my posts, I never suggested that mobiles should be kept switched on or used in the cabin. Only in checked bags in stowage.

As for using a mobiles in the cabin, that is a totally different issue and you do not appear able to justify any of your comments re mobile phone useage other than a ‘heresay’ “I was once in an aeroplane….”.

The point of my post, was not to open the debate about using mobiles in cabin, merely leaving one switched on in checked bagage and see if this function could help trace lost bags.

Please let me know where to send you some reading glasses – they are very reasonably priced along Sukhumvit and I could drop then off at the Oriental for you!

Happy 2011

[VintageKrug]

I really don’t think that flatlined level of intellectual reasoning warrants a response.

[MartynSinclair]

Fact – VK – pilots use mobiles on the flight deck when signals are available. However, once again, I am discussing a bagage tracking system not an inflight phone system

“dont think” – I think you should start a new year with some reviatalised thought!

[LuganoPirate]

Thinking about this, mobile phones don’t work in an aircraft much above 3,000 feet agl as they cannot pick up a signal above that height!

[Deleted User]

One mobile phone emiting signals will have no effect on the aircraft systems. 350 phones being used at the same time (signal mode or otherwise) in close confines is likely to cause more than just a headache for the pasengers and crew.

[Globalti]

The accidental bag swop happened to a GF when she flew back from Amsterdam to London many years ago. She collected “her” case, got it home and opened it…. to discover that it was full of pornographic magazines. By some detective work she ascertained that it belonged to a very well known pop star who lived miles away, somewhere like Devon. She rang him and it was confirmed that yes, he had her case. He was completely un-interested in doing the swop (not surprising really) so she had to do all the leg-work and spend all the money. I think she even ended up driving down to Devon and when she got her own case back it had been comprehensively rifled through. She was not happy.

[RichHI1]

Well flying domestic I ship bags which is great. Trouble is with international flights and some ither countries the cost of customs clearance and the greed of he shippers Makes it not so financially attractive. As menioned with other posts, where I visit hoyels regulalry I leave suitcase there.

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