PSP on a plane: is it allowed or forbidden?

[snoochie]

I was lately flying Alitalia to Rome and happily playing PGA tour on my PSP when a flying assistant told me I couldn't use the device while in the air. I objected no other airlines ever told me I couldn't play but she replied all electronical devices reading a disc are forbidden. I didn't want to argue therefore I neglected the fact the device was hypothetically reading a memory stick and not a disc.

Does anyone of you know if there's any link, text or other stuff that enlight the fact I can use my PSP while flying on a plane?

Thanx in advance

[pata2001]

IMO that's bull. Maybe during takeoff/landing, but in the air, I've seen people using notebook computers, portable DVD players, and PCDPs just fine.

[willykyu]

YES, I do!!!!!!!! your story comfirms that on Alitalia flights, they HATE PSPs! hahaha

On my trip to go back to Tokyo (more than 10 hours! IMAGINE THAT!), I was enjoying "Sponge Bob Square Pants the movie" on a UMD, when suddenly, a very "not friendly at all" italian Steward asked me if what I was watching was a "playstation portable". So I said "YES" BUUUUUZZZZ, wrong answer! He said "I'm sorry , it's forbidden"... I was SO shocked!!!! and SO pissed off! as I couldn't turn my light on to read without waking all the poor Japanese around, sleeping.

So I stayed really upset during 8 hours that were left... It's the ONLY company I flew to tell me that. Usually I take Air France, ANA or JAL, and none of them did say anything about portable devices during the flight (except landing and take of, of course). I also have to say that the service isn't good, there not friendly (I haven't seen anyone smiling...) at all. So 1)No good service, and above all 2) no PSP allowed: WHY flying on Alitalia? ( Iguess it is really safe anyway! and meals are ok I must say).

Next time I'll try my DS as my trip back is unfortunately on Alitalia ... (no disc, but also NO film!!! and I concerted a bunch of TV series especially for the flight! ARRRRGH).

I saw that Elal, the israelian company gave PSPs to the travelers on certain flights to Israel... seems to be a very different way to see things. And it's a very serious compagny as I heard... so what's the big deal with Alitalia? paid by Nintendo or Microsft? huhuhu

Edited January 20, 2006 by willykyu

[mercury_in_flames]

It is because of the wireless function or are they just being biaches? Ive always used my minidisc, mp3 player on flights, the only time i get asked to turn it off is for take off and landing.

[snoochie]

YES, I do!!!!!!!! your story comfirms that on Alitalia flights, they HATE PSPs! hahaha

I also have to say that the service isn't good, there not friendly (I haven't seen anyone smiling...) at all. So 1)No good service, and above all 2) no PSP allowed: WHY flying on Alitalia? ( Iguess it is really safe anyway! and meals are ok I must say).

Next time I'll try my DS as my trip back is unfortunately on Alitalia ... (no disc, but also NO film!!! and I concerted a bunch of TV series especially for the flight! ARRRRGH).

I saw that Elal, the israelian company gave PSPs to the travelers on certain flights to Israel... seems to be a very different way to see things. And it's a very serious compagny as I heard... so what's the big deal with Alitalia? paid by Nintendo or Microsft? huhuhu

Thanx for all replies.

@ pata2001: I agree it's bull but the bottom line is that it's up to them. Without any official document I can't argue during the flight. In their in-flight magazine they say that all electronic devices not reading a disk are allowed during the flight except during take off and landing, therefore PCs are ok if not reading a CD or a DVD or connected to a printer (...!) and so on.

@willykiu: A.L.I.T.A.L.I.A. (Always Late In Take off Always Late In Arrival) is probably one of the worst airlines in the world, also for food. Why flying with them? Because living in Italy sometimes is the only carrier to fly with.

Do not worry they not only hate PSP but all stuffs making people happy (may be because they're so unfriendly, unpolite and unprofessional...) so the first question I've been asked was "Game Boy is forbidden, is that device a Game Boy?" so don't bother yourself too much.

Anyhow my reaction was to plug my iPod headphones in my ears (hey iPod reads a disk, do they know it?) and start playing with my Treo phone.

I'll be flying to Athens on sunday and then to Kuwait so I'll keep you updated on different airlines policies

[chevysony]

I flew Alitalia a few weeks ago and just used my PSP to listen to music, so it was only reading from the Memory Stick, and it was in my pocket I think, so noone said anything.

Then I flew Delta and watched a movie on UMD and played games and nobody said anything about it.

[famousfieldy]

I use my PSP regularly on British Airways flights and have no problem.....except they keep asking me what game I'm playing (usually Everybody's Golf!).

I always keep the Wireless switched off though.....

Fieldy

[snoochie]

I've been on an Olimpic (Greek company) and on a Kuwait airlines planes this week and no problem at all playing PSP except during take off and landing of course.

It seems Alitalia is the only company bothered by PSP

[Guest Stuge]

Main reason behind all this is because of different airline different rules & regulations..

[lxrichbirdxl]

Better to be safe than never...though.

However it would really help to clarify what the PSP does to interupt or anything to the whatever system in the plane; this would make both the passenger understood and the airline understanding...

[JustAnUnCoolCat]

Hi Snoochie..

I'm not replying with outlook from a legal perspective, but simply to help you understand a little about the 'attitude' you may have faced..

Quite simply, air carriers.. be it passenger carriers or cargo carriers, do operate under agreement with certain rules that regard to safety. Some, however, do have staff that have been known to interpret this badly, some to silly extremes, and some have been known to interpret the agreed international safety guidelines to extremes that border on award winning sci-fi/fantasy writing type extremes

But things you should keep in mind are :-

1. On an aircraft, you are bound and obliged to follow ANY safety instructions the airline staff on duty instigate, be it on the ground flightside (aka on the aircraft after boarding but on the ground) through the entire flight, and until you disembark and subsequently (whilst flightside) enter into the standing rules/regs in operation flightside and on the premises of the airport/airfield where the aircraft lands at.

2. Where air marshalls (which i believe all US carriers have present on flights these days, but i'm sure a US citizen can correct that bit if wrong) are present and they take issue with you formally over something, as you would be in the USA.. you would be obliged and bound to follow their instructions - when it comes to what they may consider to be a security and safety issue re behaviour and conduct .. you should in such circumstances treat them as you would any law enforcement personel on-duty in the USA and governed territories.

3. Where, on a flight or whilst on board an aircraft, if you act up and make a big issue in such a way where the person you raise the objection to feels threatened or feels you are intentionally compromising safety - you could potentially end up being banned from ANY and ALL flight routes with that carrier.. and depending on what happens in-flight (aka your behaviour), also potentially risk being in the hands of law enforcement and/or airport security on landing.

It's the price, sadly, we pay for the idiots who go nuts on aircraft and commit acts of violence and disorder and otherwise put others at risk (and malicious intentional terror acts as some have commited.. only inflames the situation) where we now have to be ultra-well behaved on flights.

All that said and done...

They, the aircraft duty staff can ask/demand/enforce a no use of electronic equipment if it's carrier policy or they are following any safety guidelines.., or quite simply.. to enhance profit on the flight to force you to either be bored or use the on-board entertainment where it's there to be used.

Admittedly, on a budget carrier, such on-board entertainment is damn near nil - so i can't blame a media player user who does want to kill the boredom by watching a movie/listening to music or whatever.

At the end of the day, in the process of boarding/transit/disembarkation, they are effectively 'god' as far as your personal freedom to enjoy your personal music/movies/mobile phone etc are concerned.. what they say, at the time, is a bit like the ten commandments - aint no point arguing given the potential worst case (at the very least, getting kicked off the aircraft at the first available opportunity) - don't get into a slanging match or heated aggro session with the staff. least you wish to end up with your day really screwed up.

Rule of thumb - carriers like to treat their aircraft like sovereign territory - aka on an El Al aircraft, consider yourself subject to Israel law when on board - and for ferk sake, remember if you use that carrier at all, they are very very hot on prevention of violence and threats and the supression/prevention of terror acts, so it's a pretty damn stupid person who causes a volatile situation on that carrier's aircraft - and this goes way back before the roll-out of international anti-terror enforcement on the rest of the carriers

As for as wireless kit or wireless equipped kit goes, and it's a varied aspect depending on which country you are in, whilst you may be allowed (say in the USA for example) to use cellular or sat phones on inland and international flights... this 'right' under FCC and US aviation agency rules may be permissable, but the moment you are in the territorial airspace of another country, the use of that equipment (it's wireless capability) may in fact be illegal in an aircraft whilst in that foreign airspace.

In the UK, for example, it's a total no-no to use unlicensed (as far as radio operation goes) radio comms on an aircraft whilst in the air (and definately not permitted when flightside on the ground). Also, according to UK law, any radio equipment (and this includes stuff with wireless radio RF emitting capability) must meet UK type approval for use on aircraft for it to be permissable to use within it's wireless operational capacity on the aircraft whilst in UK territoral airspace. And reflecting back to the carriers and their 'sovereign territory' view/attitude, consider it safer to assume the worst for the duration of the flight.

Talking generally...., consider anyone who takes wireless equipment onto an aircraft and disregards all compulsory safety aspects (i.e. like the non-use of wireless equipment whilst flightside, and during take-off and landing and ANY other time instigated by the flight crew such as the flight deck team during storms etc) to be a trouble maker..., for that's what they are in effect if they do so and make an issue about their non-intent to follow enforced policies and compulsory safety requirements.

Always shut off the wireless facility on a wireless device during take-off, landing and when flightside and when instructed to by the carrier's duty staff whilst on board. It may be a pain in the wotsits (aka the male dangly bits) but it's better to quit than face aggro or a volatile situation. And remember, when you are on board - you may be the least or greatest freedom advocate to walk the planet, but when there are others involved (aka other passengers and their equal right to safety and a peaceful flight), leave your freedom advocacy hat at home and simply be a passenger.

It keeps you out of trouble, keeps the carrier staff sweet, and most of all.. is way less stressful.

If you cannot instigate a recognised 'flight mode' on a wireless device (intended to supress or shut down wireless transceivers when in such a mode) - then simply disconnect the battery pack shortly before the flight (gives time for the circuitry to discharge), when you know it's permissable to use the equipment in flight, reinsert the battery pack where it's permitted to use the equipment. Clearly, if you cannot use a flight mode setting on the device due to a lack of a facility, then do not use the equipment in flight or during take-off or landing or whilst flightside.

Hope that helps..

It's not a statement of law (excepting the UK stuff, which is current and applicable here) i'm giving you, but sane and rational 'avoiding problems and respecting policies' guidance.

But that said, the last time i did - i got the second worst flaming i ever encountered on a forum..

*puts on the fireproof body armour and fire-suit*

Be Cool Always

'Tom Kat'

[!Sora~]

just tell that crew to shut up and ask for the name, then he or she will shut up forever coz he/she fears that u gona complain her....

btw its only forbidden to use any electronic devices during take off/landing. i been playing with all sorts of electronics on the flight, i watched dvds and i actually once left my phone switched on for the whole of the flight, but plz dont do it purposely coz i just forgot to turn it off....... and i neva had received a warning with it.

Edited July 15, 2006 by !Sora~

[nonanon]

I've had several relatives flying on Alitalia recently and experiences have been mixed. The best scenario is if Delta or another carrier has chartered the flight, in which case the rules are sensible and other than take-off and landing any device other than cell phones are allowed. If it's an actual Alitalia flight, it appears to be completely at the whim of the flight attendants. I wonder if a small token would get them to permit you to use a DAP or DVD player, since it's apparently up to them to take it to the Captain, if needed.

I'll be using them in about 2 weeks so I'll post my own experience after that, but I'm not hopeful since it's not a chartered flight. I don't have a PSP, but I'm not sure these people will be able to tell the difference between that device and my old Zodiac 2. I assume that will be banned right away, solid state or not and same for any Gameboys in my group.

Of course it makes no sense to anyone with working brain cells to allow the use of a PC, using either hard drive or CD/DVD, but not a solid state MP3 player. No doubt they'd object to my little iRiver Clix since it can receive FM radio, no doubt a major hazard to navigational beacons! So I'll just keep it in my pocket. It infuriates me to have to behave like a 5-year-old sneaking sweets but it's either that or a very long trans-Atlantic flight.

As a sidenote, both parties who've recently used this airline report they are far from being full, no doubt this inane policy is part of the reason for that. At least I hope to have more legroom than usual. Also funny to me is that I recently saw an episode of 'Mythbusters' in the US where they thoroughly debunked the idea of any device that doesn't transmit a signal causing problems with avionics, and even cell phones only rarely (and with effort on their part) managed to give a very fleeting interference with a nav-beacon signal. If I thought it would help I'd send a copy to Alitalia, but I doubt that it would change anything.