Can I really crash a plane with my cell phone- really??

July 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment

cell phone airlplane Yesterday afternoon, sitting on an American Airlines airplane, I listened to the flight attendant command us to turn off all cell phones and portable electronic devices right before takeoff. We have all heard and obeyed this command for years, believing that somehow our cell phones and ipods could somehow bring down a jet.

But could my cell phone crash a plane? Really?

As soon as we reached cruising altitude, I called the flight attendant over. “Ma’m,” I asked, “Why must we turn off our portable electronic devices and cell phones during takeoff and landing?” “Oh, that’s because they may interfere with the pilot’s navigation systems,” she said. “Yeah, but, if that’s true, then why would you rely on the honor system, if something as important as a navigation system could be affected by my cell phone?”, I replied. Now she got an annoyed look on her face and said impatiently, “Sir, it would take quite a few cell phones at the same time to disrupt our navigation systems, and we are dealing with adults.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “But, ma’m, there are bad people out there; you can’t trust everybody to do the right thing.” Now she was really annoyed. “That’s all we need now; to collect all cell phones and electronic devices before takeoff and landing; I don’t think so!” She gave me one last glare, and before I could respond, she walked away.

This is what is called “cognative dissonance”. They tell us that our cell phones and electronic devices could, in theory, disrupt navigation systems and crash the plane, but then leave the enforcement of this rule up to “the honor system” because we are all “adults”. Huh?

Allow me to make you feel better about flying the “friendly skies”. The idea that your cell phone or portable electronic device could crash a plane is a myth. But, like many myths, it has some truth embedded in it. A plane’s navigation system could be affected by your cell phone or ipod, but it is shielded to prevent such a catastrophe.

Here is an exerpt from a study done by the television show, “Mythbusters“:

The reason that you can’t use your cellphone on an airplane is not because it will interfere with the in-flight instruments but because it forces you to use the in-flight phone on the back of your seat. An airplane’s cockpit is well-shielded against interference, but the FAA does not want to do the necessary testing to confirm this.

ABC News also studied this issue and concluded that: not a single air crash has been proven to be caused by the use of a cell phone onboard a plane.

John Nance, an ABC News consultant and veteran airline pilot, says there’s little reason to worry about cell phones interfering with an airplane’s navigational equipment. He says an airplane’s electronic systems are “all heavily shielded. That means that stray signals cannot get into those systems.”

the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration “have not done their job over about a 25-year period. And the airlines have quite properly said … if you’re not going to tell us, then we’re just going to default to the most conservative position and say we’re not going to use them in the air.”

Here’s the bottom line: Your cell phone and ipod are not going to bring down a jet, I don’t care how many flight attendants say so.

PS- Your cell phone does indeed work, sometimes up to 10,000 feet.

May

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Need a second person to help find a good airfare price- ask!

May 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Fill this form out and I will find an airfare quote for you. I search several city combinations, airlines, and websites that you may not know about. Or contact me directly- wilson49332@hotmail.com, on student universe forum pages as wilson49332, or on aim: thourman Please allow a few days for me to find the best prices.

May

17

Travel FAQ’s

May 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Frequently asked questions:

1. Is Europe safe? YES!! Europe is nothing but America senior for the most part. The water is safe to drink, all of the amenities we have here are in Europe. Do you like Mcdonalds, BK, etc. They got it. Walmart fanatic? Yup- our culture has brought Walmarts to the other side of the big pond. For the most part- its safe. Its just like America however, if you go looking for trouble- you can find it. Be safe, use common sense. While the drinking age is usually 16-18+, Europeans dont look to kindly to drunk people. Watch it! Can I go to a bar or pub at night- sure. But a few tips if you do. One- dont get drunk alone- or at all if you can. If you do, stay close to the hostel. Always have identification as well. Make copies of all of your information such as your passport just in case you loose it- it WILL make it much easier to get a new one from an embassy. Know your rights if you get in trouble- and always make a call to the local US embassy. Bring a phone that works to Europe. Most US phones are world/tri-band capable. Ask your carrier. If it has a sim card in it, you can bring it to any cell phone store and get a new sim card loaded with pre-paid minutes on it for around 20-50 bucks US. Its always good to have, and you can call home. Otherwise buy a pre-paid phone and minutes for around 60 bucks.

-Internet? YES. They come in the form of either free internet at hostels, to wireless at many major universities and coffee shops, to internet cafes where you pay around 1.50US an hour to use the internet. Thats not an issue there. -Dont bring a laptop. Its one more thing that can get stolen. One primary issue Americans have is with theft. Lock your stuff with both a zipper lock and a luggage lock that will tie to a bed pole. -Keep money in the form of credit if possible. Nobody wants to steal cards. Keep wallets in the front pocket- pickpockets are very efficient in Europe. -Dont advertise that your a tourist. Try to fit in as much as possible. That means no large maps, the pocket sized ones work fine.

2. What are the best ways to get to Europe? Well- the cheapest places to fly out of are New York, Detroit, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, and Minneapolis. Pretty much common sense- the East coast is closest. If you can try one of two things: -Get a ticket to London, then fly on Easy Jet/ Ryan Air, etc…. to the mainland. London is generally the cheapest bet to Europe, then add around 100-150 for the additional flight to the mainland. Fly in on a Wednesday or midweek to save more. -Get a ticket from your local airport to New York, or those named above, then a second ticket to Europe. Make sure you allow enough time at customs to get to the internationals gate however. -Try to drive to a larger airport. IE- you live in Madison, Wisconsin. Drive to Chicago or Minneapolis rather than flying out of Madison. Thats the usual anyways. Just make sure the gas costs is worth the drive. Try Canada. Zoom Airlines (flyzoom.com) Air Transat (airtransat.com) and Air Canada are usually cheapest in Toronto. Its generally cheaper there due to a lower tax rate on flights, and more budget airlines that the US seems to strongly appose. Plan on around 800 from the East Coast major cities peak, 500 off-peak. Plan on around 1100 from the East coast non major cities and midwest major cities peak, 700 off-peak. Plan on around 1000 peak west coast major cities peak, 700-800 off-peak for a flight.

3. How do I save money in Europe? Stay in hostels. Hotels are expensive. Skip breakfast- most hostels offer the barebones anyways. Use tourist passes in many cities to skip lines (ques) Buy food at a supermarket and cook at the hostel- feel more like a European that way anyways

4. How long should I spend at each destination? Well of course that is up to you. The larger cities generally plan on 3-4 days. The smaller cities around 1-2 should be sufficient.

5. What do I need to bring with me? Check this out for more on that: http://forums.studentuniverse.com/general-transport-info-t1637.html

6. What should I plan to spend in Europe? That depends on where you plan to go. London is usually the most costly city due to the exchange rate and taxes etc. Plan on around 70 a day in London. Most cities, you can get by with around 50-60 including: Hostel (around 30 a night), meals (2), and transportation around the city for the day (5 bucks). All prices in USD. What you do with the rest is up to you- you can spend a lot on souvenirs and also each travel attraction you visit, then again you may spend none at all on free attractions- buy a guidebook- there are plenty of places to see for free if your on a tight budget and are in Europe just to say you have been there.

7. How do I get more information about Europe- travel guides etc? Well you can check this link out for more information on that: http://forums.studentuniverse.com/general-transport-info-t1637.html

8. How does the Eurail Work? Check this link for more information on that: http://forums.studentuniverse.com/eurail-hostel-flight-questions-t1516.html Its complicated, but ask questions and we can help if you want to know which pass is best suited for your travel needs.

9. 5 absolute must visit cities in Europe are…. Well these are just my thoughts but: Paris, Rome, London, Munich, and Vienna in no order. Others to consider are: Berlin, Prague, Amsterdam, Salzburg (Austria), Florence (Italy).

10. What about the money situation in Europe? Most of Europe uses the Euro. Plan on a rough exchange rate of around 1 euro to $1.70 US, so about 3/4 the amount back. England uses the Pound Sterling, which you can plan on around $2.00US to 1 pound- so half your money back. Thats why England is so expensive- well it is in general anyways.

11. Will the language barrier be an issue? NO. Most Europeans speak English quite well, especially the children. When in doubt, ask a cop or tourist agent such as a ticket seller. They usually speak it fluently. Try as much as possible to use the native language though, you will get respect quicker and also have more of a chance of not being lied to. Besides, they find it funny how badly we mess their language up- so why not try be as European as you can. Its what you are there for anyways right? Misc Other Tidbits: Plan on long lines in the summer, especially in August when most Europeans take their vacations. It is hot in southern Europe- so dress accordingly. Churches in Europe are plentiful- take your pick. Dont wear shorts in them however! There is NO Air Conditioning and most places NO elevators- sorry guys. Dont plan to eat much beef- its expensive and hard to find- even at the fast food places. Water is expensive, especially in Germany where beer is cheaper. NO REFILLS! Dont order FRENCH fries in France lol.

More? Ask them in a reply or a pm! I will post them as you ask them- no question is stupid here, most people are thinking the same thing. Ask before you go- its what we are here for!

Are you planning a trip, but have no idea where to start looking for prices- whats good, wheres the best prices? I can help! I NEED From You: -Dates needed -Cities you can fly out of or into (preferred city and ones you can go into/ out of if it is cheap) -How flexible you are for all of the above (e.g. dates etc) -Times of flights- (and how flexible those times are) -Preferred airline carrier -Non-stop if possible or connections (and price you are willing to pay extra if non-stop) -Student status (if you are or not) -OK to layover in London then take a low cost carrier from London the rest of the way- e.g. Ryan Air etc. Please send me an email at wilson49332@hotmail.com or reply here with a comment with the info above- if sending an email please make sure your subject is something like flight quote so I dont delete you on accident. I will respond within 5 days- I do this for free and for you so please give me time! Thanks!