Soft or hard switch-off on the airplane?

[daihard]

Hi.

I am wondering whether I should completely switch off my iPod touch by holding down the power button for a few seconds and sliding the "Power Off" bar on the screen during take-off and landing? Or would it suffice to let it go to the sleep mode?

I personally don't think it matters either way as long as I have WiFi turned off, but I'd like to hear other, more knowledgeable posters' opinions.

Thanks!

[S2_Mac]

No real need to turn it off at all; WiFi isn't going to mess up anyone's airplane. (Think of it this way -- if all it took to mess up a flight was a cell phone, wouldn't planes be dropping from the skies left and right?) The only reason cell phone usage is prohibited is because it cuts into "sky phone" revenues.

All that really matters is the airline policy. Keep it in your pocket until you're in the air. Then, hope that the flight attendents can recognize it as an iPod and not as a phone.

[DerekVOF]

I just turned off the Wi-Fi when I flew... all the airplane mode on the iPhone does is turn of cellular and Wi-Fi....

[Allocentric]

While the potential effects of radio frequency (RF) transmissions on aircraft systems has been often discussed, the standard operating procedure on nearly all airlines is that anything which can transmit RF must have that transmit capability disabled. That means for the duration of the entire flight, you should have WiFi disabled.

Also, if a flight attendant asks you to not use the your iPod touch at all, then your best best is to simply comply and put it away. Feel free to explain that it's simply an iPod, and that wireless is turned off (feel free to show the screen with the on/off switch), but if they insist it not be used, then just put it away. Some airline personnel are still very sensitive about the rules regarding electronics, and failure to comply with their interpretation could easily result in you being greeted by police once your flight lands. People have - and are - detained (but not necessarily arrested) for less nefarious reasons.

As always, you'll need to put your iPod away once the cabin door closes prior to take-off, and can be used once they give the indication that it's okay to use electronics. Then you'll have to put it back away around 30 minutes prior to landing (listen for the announcement). By the way, the reason stuff has to be stowed prior to takeoff and landing has nothing to do with RF interference, but rather the chance those items would become projectiles. Takeoff and landing are the trickiest parts of the flight - with greater potential for turbulence / air pockets, and they're just trying to prevent the errant flying device.

[daihard]

Thanks for your replies. I am afraid my subject line was misleading. I meant to ask which method would be desirable when the flight attendant asks you to turn off all your electronic devices during takeoff and landing, not during the flight when you're allowed to use them. :)

[Allocentric]

Just putting it to sleep (not fully off) would be fine. I've got a PalmOS device which doesn't even have a fully "off" mode - short of removing the battery - and have never had a problem. :)

[Cameron_Talley]

No need to turn in off completely (via the red slider as you mentioned). Just turning off Wi-fi is fine.

The "all electronic devices" thing is ludicrous. My hearing aids are electronic devices. I'm not going to turn them off so the plane can take off. Same with my watch. It's just a catch all phrase and it's an outdated precaution. The older iPods were never "off" unless they ran out of power completely.

[BlackWolf]

Thanks for your replies. I am afraid my subject line was misleading. I meant to ask which method would be desirable when the flight attendant asks you to turn off all your electronic devices during takeoff and landing, not during the flight when you're allowed to use them. :)

well, if they ask you to switch off all electronic devices you should really shut the ipod off. although I think it doesn't really matter, this is mostly to make sure that cell phones and laptops are switched off I guess. but last time I was on a flight they asked me to switch of my ipod, so ...

[daihard]

Great! Thanks again guys. I will just let it sleep on the next occasions. :D

[bobb-mini]

Maybe soon enuff, u don't have to turn it off at all!

http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/3811435/?threadid=3811435&searchid=3811435&s=WIFI#ID3811435

[Teechur]

It's pretty obvious that the iTouch (I like that name better... :) ) isn't going to crash the plane. However, there are other reasons you are asked to turn it off. Someone mentioned flying objects; definitely! The other reason is that since the takeoff and landing are the trickiest part of the flight, you need to be able to hear, so you shouldn't have music/tv playing in your ear.

You may argue that you can listen to in-flight music, but in the event of an emergency they can cut in.

It's for everyone's safety. Just do it. Rules aren't made for everyone but you or me. Even if we don't always agree with them, there are often reasons we don't understand so we need to listen.

Hey, give me a meal on the plane again and I'll be happy!

[daihard]

It's pretty obvious that the iTouch (I like that name better... :) ) isn't going to crash the plane. However, there are other reasons you are asked to turn it off. Someone mentioned flying objects; definitely! The other reason is that since the takeoff and landing are the trickiest part of the flight, you need to be able to hear, so you shouldn't have music/tv playing in your ear.
Just to clarify, I am not looking for ways to keep my iPod turned on during takeoff/landing. I just want to make sure the sleep mode qualifies as "being off." Everyone seems to agree that it does. :)