Cellphones & Aircraft

[Generarth]

A good discussion is going on here;

http://politicstalk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?128@[email protected] (later posts are the most interesting)

& here;

http://politicstalk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?128@[email protected]

The consensus (save for a few apologists) is that it's extremely unlikely at altitude onboard an aircraft. Also mention has been made that you need windows to get a signal. This puts the alleged calls by Barbara Olson (AA 77) and (allegedly) Edward Felt (UA 93) from the toilets of their respective planes (although this is only one of Theodore's versions of Barbara's call) into the 'not possible' basket as well.

And a personal anecdote to back this view up. Recently on a trip to Europe from Australia, I tested my phone on every flight. The results were exceptionally consistent. No connection after 90 seconds from takeoff (60 secs in one case) and no connection until after the plane had landed in every case. I made many, many attempts to get a connection in flight. I even retired to the toilet on several occasions to scan for providers (over Europe & Australia). Absolutely nothing.

In addition ICE trains (and TGV trains?) in Europe have technology to allow mobile phones to work onboard. (these trains travel at up to 300 km hour). So it would seem speed by itself is an issue, without the added complication of altitude.

The calls from UA 93 (& AA 77) would seem to be little miracles. If the calls were made, how were they made?