iPhone, Travel at Your Own Risk Ah, vision of savannah, lions, elephants and giraffes under the tree, and eagles and vultures on tree tops
When the cabin door closed, the captain announced that we should turn off all devices that have an on/off switch. No devices with wireless transmission capabilities will be allowed. No phone devices were allowed any time. We obliged.
At 38,000 feet, the air was calm and the captain turned off the seat belt lights. I took out my iPhone, switched on the Airplane Mode, and started listening to my iPod music. This is our first trip to Africa and our first time travelling on South African Airlines. Everything was metric and I had to tap my HP12C app to do some conversions.
Unbeknown to me, one of the young attendants was watching when I tapped the little keys on the calculator app. He went ballistic and started pestering me:
“Is this a phone?”
“No, it is in iPod mode right now. And I am listening to music”
“Is this a iPhone?’’
“No, it is in iPod mode and I am using an app called HP12C”
“Is this a phone?”
“Yes, but it is NOT in a phone mode. There is zero transmission.”
“But this is an iPhone? Turn it off.”
“OKAY, I AGREE.” I EMPHATICALLY agreed.
“You are harassing a flight attendant. NO ONE should do that. I am going to make sure you are arrested when you land in Johannesburg.”
In about five minutes, he brought in a roster of passengers. He moved his finger to my name and asked me: Is this YOU?
Meanwhile, Lea Anne, my dear wife sitting next to me, began fretting the idea of having to bail me out from nearest U.S. Embassy in Johannesburg. This is an unknown country, and this is our first time here. Her fears are real. After all, this is the land of Mandela. I heard he was locked up for 27 years and I do not have 27 years to spare!
Technology is moving ahead of regulations. Devices proliferate and different airlines have different rules. A totally harmless iPod is feared like plague when a laptop with wifi, Bluetooth turned on went unnoticed.
We need a consortium of device makers, including Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Research in Motion and others to educate the regulatory bodies, international ones in particular, on what is and what is not wireless transmissions.
The irony is the return trip from JFK to SFO when onboard wifi was offered free by United in collaboration with GoGo Wifi. Everybody turned on their laptops and we turned on our iPhones and surfed all the way back.
I have heard and read many blogs on the 'kruger national park' but had fewer oppurtunities to see pictures.This one certai fills that hole.You must have had an amazing experience exloring this wildlife park.All in all a nice blog explained along with some great pics.Welldone!!!!!
Hanne
non-member comment
2010
Happy New Year Hanne Abendkleider