You may have traveled a lot by air and may have been told and warned to switch your smartphone to flight mode or airplane mode. Have you ever wondered why you are asked by the flight attendants on board to switch your devices to airplane mode during transit?
But, have you ever wondered what would happen if you don’t follow directions and didn’t put your phone on flight mode when you’re up in the air?
Many people believe that a phone’s signal could disrupt the aircraft’s communication system with air traffic control (ATC) and results in the plane crash. Is it true?
No, it’s just an urban myth. So what really happens when you don’t put your mobile on Airplane Mode? Okay, let me tell you.
Also Read: Why There Is A Tiny Hole In Between The Camera And Flash on Many Phones.
Here is what really happens if you don’t put your smartphone into flight mode/airplane mode when flying
There is no evidence that signals from passengers’ electronic devices have ever caused a plane to malfunction and crash. The reason for potential safety concerns is due to the fact that when you’re more than 10,000 feet in the air, your cell phone signal bounces off multiple towers and sends out a stronger signal. This is something that might congest the networks on the ground. But, there has never been a case of a cell phone causing a plane to crash.
What does Airplane Mode or Flight Mode do?
Airplane Mode disables all the communications protocols on your iPhone, Android or whatever phone you’re using. It disables Cellular communication along with WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth. When Airplane Mode is enabled, you’ll often see an icon on the notification bar showing an airplane.
Though some flights offer in-air WiFi.
So you could enable WiFi even on Airplane Mode.
In a blog post for Airline Updates, this is what pilot has to say about it!
Bzzt-bzzt-bzzt-bzzt. Quite annoying!
However, the pilot also continues by saying that if 50 people on the plane did not turn their phone onto airplane mode, it would cause a lot of “radio pollution”.
Now imagine that noise in the pilot’s headphones, while[he or she] is receiving a critical bit of information from ground control!
Even our laptops have airplane mode.
Now, you know the reason! Hence, by switching your phone to airplane mode, you show your appreciation to the people charged with getting you safely to your destination.
So, when you are flying next time, it is advisable to stick to the rules onboard.
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