# iPod at 30,000 feet **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 2, 2005, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673 "2005-12-02T03:02:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![max\_yasgur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@max\_yasgur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/max_yasgur)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/1 "2005-12-02T03:02:28Z")
Using your mobile phone while in flight is a no no i know because it may interfere with the plane’s computers or something. What about playing my iPod? Thanks in advance. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![max\_yasgur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@max\_yasgur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/max_yasgur)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/2 "2005-12-02T03:04:58Z")
iPod at 30,000 feet? Or is it okay to play my iPod while in flight? ---
**Author:** ![Mathochist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/3 "2005-12-02T03:08:23Z")
> [@max yasgur](#): > > iPod at 30,000 feet? Or is it okay to play my iPod while in flight? As long as you don’t use your iTrip as well, it’s fine. No more harmful than using a laptop computer, as an iPod is basically a laptop hard drive. ---
**Author:** ![carterba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85e7bf/32.png) [@carterba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carterba)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/4 "2005-12-02T03:13:18Z")
On a recent flight the stewardess told me to turn off my iPod for the landing. But that’s the only time that’s happened in several flights. ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/5 "2005-12-02T04:03:28Z")
> [@max yasgur](#): > > Using your mobile phone while in flight is a no no i know because it may interfere with the plane’s computers or something. What about playing my iPod? Follow the instructions of the flight crew and you’ll be OK. They may, or may not, ask you to turn off your iPod and any other electronics devices you are carrying. They have the final word on the matter. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/6 "2005-12-02T13:55:03Z")
The standard in Australian airlines is that you may use non-transmitting electronic devices such as an iPod, a laptop, or even a mobile phone that has a “flight” mode, once the seatbelt signs are off. So generally passing 10,000 feet in the climb you’ll be able to use them and then you’ll have to pack them away on the descent. The reason (or the likely reason IMO) that you may not use any laptops or other equipment during landing and take-off is that the cabin must be “secure” during these phases of flight, i.e., everything stowed away. This is so that if there is an incident on landing or take-off you don’t have people getting head injuries from carry-on bags, laptops and iPods flying around the cabin. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/7 "2005-12-02T22:35:23Z")
Another reason you might have been asked to turn it off, is that it’s a lot easier for the flight crew to just tell everyone to turn off everything with headphones coming out of it, than it would be to ask for each one whether it’s a radio or player. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/8 "2005-12-02T23:24:35Z")
> [@carterba](#): > > On a recent flight the stewardess told me to turn off my iPod for the landing. But that’s the only time that’s happened in several flights. People with PhDs in electromagnetic wave mechanics do not become flight attendants. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/9 "2005-12-02T23:39:28Z")
> [@CynicalGabe](#): > > People with PhDs in electromagnetic wave mechanics do not become flight attendants. The flight attendant would just have been following company policy. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/10 "2005-12-03T00:23:02Z")
> [@1920s Style "Death Ray"](#): > > The reason (or the likely reason IMO) that you may not use any laptops or other equipment during landing and take-off is that the cabin must be “secure” during these phases of flight, i.e., everything stowed away. This is so that if there is an incident on landing or take-off you don’t have people getting head injuries from carry-on bags, laptops and iPods flying around the cabin. They don’t ask me to put my several pound hardcover book with sharp corners away, so I don’t think that’s it. I think **Chronos** nailed it. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/11 "2005-12-03T00:57:39Z")
> [@max yasgur](#): > > iPod at 30,000 feet? Or is it okay to play my iPod while in flight? Suggest you read 'Sticky Note #3, and the others too. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/12 "2005-12-03T01:19:38Z")
> [@iamthewalrus(:3=](#): > > They don’t ask me to put my several pound hardcover book with sharp corners away, so I don’t think that’s it. > > I think **Chronos** nailed it. Good point. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/13 "2005-12-03T02:16:14Z")
> [@max yasgur](#): > > Using your mobile phone while in flight is a no no i know because it may interfere with the plane’s computers or something. Using your mobile phone while in flight is a no-no because it interferes with the wireless network, not the avionics. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/14 "2005-12-03T03:24:07Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > Using your mobile phone while in flight is a no-no because it interferes with the wireless network, not the avionics. I think this was once the case, but is rarely so these days. The cellular system can easily deal with a unit that’s “visible” to a large number of cells - basically, by denying service. I know that it’s rare to see coverage on a mobile phone in a small airplane when above about 4000’ (YMMV). And I suspect that at 30,000’ and 500+kts, reliable comms are unlikely anyway. ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/15 "2005-12-03T03:27:54Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > Using your mobile phone while in flight is a no-no because it interferes with the wireless network, not the avionics. It may do both. I’ve read many reports of avionics problems caused by passenger electronics devices, including cell phones, CD players and laptop computers. That’s why it is important to pay attention to the instructions from the flight crew. If they ask you to turn it off, do it, even if you are convinced that your widget couldn’t cause them any problems. ---
**Author:** ![kinoons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a698b9/32.png) [@kinoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kinoons)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/16 "2005-12-03T05:26:43Z")
> [@mks57](#): > > It may do both. I’ve read many reports of avionics problems caused by passenger electronics devices, including cell phones, CD players and laptop computers. That’s why it is important to pay attention to the instructions from the flight crew. If they ask you to turn it off, do it, even if you are convinced that your widget couldn’t cause them any problems. Not to be a pain, but would you mind providing cites? In principal this pegs my BS meter. You mean to tell me that an aircraft can be bombarded with EM energy in the form of radio waves, television waves, radar, etc…and my $200 Ipod is going to screw up the avionics? Just doesn’t quite add up. But I’d love to be proven wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/17 "2005-12-03T06:32:20Z")
He was talking about the mobile phone, not the iPod. At the very least, a mobile phone will cause interference with the pilots intercom and radio. Although it’s just a bit of staticy noise it can be extremely distracting, particularly when you are in a busy stage of the flight. ---
**Author:** ![kinoons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a698b9/32.png) [@kinoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kinoons)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/18 "2005-12-03T06:42:21Z")
> [@1920s Style "Death Ray"](#): > > He was talking about the mobile phone, not the iPod. > > At the very least, a mobile phone will cause interference with the pilots intercom and radio. Although it’s just a bit of staticy noise it can be extremely distracting, particularly when you are in a busy stage of the flight. Funny, the post i’m refering to lists CD player, Mobile phones, and Laptops… Like I said, just seems funny to me. While the FAA claims that cellular phones can cause static on pilots radios, I’m still wating for a cite for a solid study proving so. ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/19 "2005-12-03T06:48:53Z")
> [@kinoons](#): > > Not to be a pain, but would you mind providing cites? In principal this pegs my BS meter. You mean to tell me that an aircraft can be bombarded with EM energy in the form of radio waves, television waves, radar, etc…and my $200 Ipod is going to screw up the avionics? Just doesn’t quite add up. But I’d love to be proven wrong. See NASA’s [Aviation Safety Reporting System](http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/) database. ---
**Author:** ![FlyingCowOfDoom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyingcowofdoom/32/21776_2.png) [@FlyingCowOfDoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingCowOfDoom)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673/20 "2005-12-03T06:55:04Z")
Minor Hijack: Are you allowed to use a handheld GPS device while flying at 30,000 feet? If so, would the GPS unit function? –FCOD [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-at-30-000-feet/333673.md?page=2)