Bring My Scanner On A Plane

[ASTRO_Man]

I am flying in the near future ant want to hear every word the captain says. I want to bring my scanner and follow the handoffs during the flight. Will this be SAFE and will security make a big stink about it if I even bring it in my bag? Have any of you done the same thing and share your stories.

 

[txguy90]

Odds are you won't have a hard time getting a scanner through the security checkpoint, but you can't use it on the plane. All major airlines strictly prohibit the use of scanners onboard the plane and it might even border on violating a FAA regulation/law.

 

[K4IHS]

You won't have any problem getting the scanner through security. But... if you read the "allowed electronic devices" to be operated onboard an aircraft... you'll see they are a no no. And... none of us have ever done it! ;-)

 

[whiterabbit_medic]

Depending on the airline some rebroadcast the radio coms on one of the in-flight entertainment channels, they will have it posted in the airline magazine and will announce it if it’s available at the beginning of the flight. The broadcast is usaly at the pilot’s discursion.

Whiterabbit_medic

 

[CalebATC]

Depending on the airline some rebroadcast the radio coms on one of the in-flight entertainment channels, they will have it posted in the airline magazine and will announce it if it’s available at the beginning of the flight. The broadcast is usaly at the pilot’s discursion.

Whiterabbit_medic

Airtran, or Delta doesn't do it as I am aware. I wish they did. It'd sure be interesting.

Security... easy. They always seem to think my antennas are shanks or something. But last time at KATL, they rescanned my bag, and I told them what it was.

As for bringing it on the plane, don't bother. The rubber ducky's get too much interference from the WI-FI for me, and completely overload the whole radio. You won't hear the ATC either, at least I didn't with two ducky's I have (one from a aviation transceiver, have tried 3 different scanners/radios) waiting for the plane. They will give you total hell, and it is against the rules. So as I have done, don't bother, you won't hear anything anyway. At least I didn't the many times I tried. I don't bother even taking it out anymore.

 

[KR4BD]

This subject has been beat to death in the past.

Bottom lines:

1. It's not permissable to listen to any radio device on a commercial plane in flight.
2. It is true that you will have a hard time hearing anything due to all the interference generated in the plane.
3. You should have no problem TAKING the scanner with you in a carryon bag. I do it all the time along with a ham HT. Rarely have I had a problem---and---I fly a lot. Only time I had a slight issue was with an obviously NEW TSA guy... I just told him I wanted to see his supervisor. Problem was resolved instantly.

 

[SCPD]

Depending on the airline some rebroadcast the radio coms on one of the in-flight entertainment channels, they will have it posted in the airline magazine and will announce it if it’s available at the beginning of the flight. The broadcast is usaly at the pilot’s discursion.

Whiterabbit_medic

I believe it's United Airlines that does this. Makes for a much more entertaining flight than watching the lame movies usually shown. I remember taking a United flight to Burbank from Denver and the pilot trying to land in a driving rainstorm. The pilot couldn't see the runway until we were practically on top of it. There was a distinct possibility of having to go back into the pattern and try again, but the pilot managed to get us down, albeit with a very hard landing. Listening to all this through the in-flight entertainment system certainly added to my "pucker factor!"

Dave
KA6TJF

 

[737mech]

Scanning inflight

Odds are you won't have a hard time getting a scanner through the security checkpoint, but you can't use it on the plane. All major airlines strictly prohibit the use of scanners onboard the plane and it might even border on violating a FAA regulation/law.

I can confirm scanners are not approved on Southwest Airlines inflight. You can get thru TSA with it, you can try using it in the terminal. Most times its very hard to scan because of the big a/c units for the planes (huge rf noise 400htz power at 120 volts AC transformers, air conditioning fans etc..), the terminal's windows could be tinted with metalic tint (not good) or simply because you are too close (front overload). My PSR500 on the ramp outside is overloaded and the only antenna that works is the RS stubby for racing. I never tried it inflight and I presume it wouldn't work because you are in a metal tube essentially. I do however turn on my Garmin 60CSX GPS when flying above 10K feet. That's always fun seeing position speed and map location. You have to hold it near a window though. Still fun.

 

[LtDoc]

The simple reason you may not hear much with a scanner in an airplane is that antenna is inside a large aluminum 'can'. Now, if you could get that antenna outside, and on the bottom of that airplane, I'll bet you'd hear a lot more. Don't you?
- 'Doc

 

[RadioDaze]

The simple reason you may not hear much with a scanner in an airplane is that antenna is inside a large aluminum 'can'. Now, if you could get that antenna outside, and on the bottom of that airplane, I'll bet you'd hear a lot more. Don't you?
- 'Doc

True, and I've heard that if you ask them really nicely, they'll let you place a mag-mount antenna on the plane. The main problem they have is that they're afraid it will scratch the paint, which is plain silly.

 

[trkntrlrman]

Well, I've been in the aircraft industry for some 30 yrs, and have yet to see a mag mount that would stick to aluminum, and no they won't let you place anything on the aircraft.

 

[wheelerg]

Well, I've been in the aircraft industry for some 30 yrs, and have yet to see a mag mount that would stick to aluminum, and no they won't let you place anything on the aircraft.

I think...hope....he was kidding?

 

[GrumpyGuard]

I know that United and its star alliance partners tend to broadcast the pilot and atc conversations on their bigger aircraft. I will spend more time listening to them than watching the movie. :lol:
If you do attempt to turn on your scanner while flying just don't get caught, you never know when the Homeland Security (Air Marshall) are on board.

 

[thomas724]

to the OP

why dont you be the first. get on the plane sit down nice and comfy then fire it up. Let us know what happened next
Thomas

 

[rmiller818]

I can tell you that you will not hear much. The aircraft is a pretty good attenuator. In my experiences, while in the air you can't hear anything except for transmissions from the aircraft your on and even that is spotty. I was not able to hear other aircraft or the controllers until we were in the ground. I don't bother trying anymore as it just does not work well.

 

[RadioDaze]

I figured that in a world where you can put a scanner antenna outside a plane, a magnet will also stick to aluminum

 

[elk2370bruce]

Why does this thread keep showing up here. Yes, it has been beaten to death because "search" is a useful function that has been forgotten. Before we begin with inevitible progression of "Well, what if I....", the answer is NO and none of the airlines will let you do it. Traveling domestically and internationally, the answer is a uniform and resounding NO. The flight attendants, stewards, or flight crew do not have the authority to over-ride these corporate policies so don'e even ask them.

 

[pathalogical]

Imagine hearing "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY....we've lost all engines..." through the in-flight entertainment system !!!

Just let your mag mount dangle through the door jamb as the flight attendant closes it.

 

[shadcall]

Maybe they will let you sit on the wing so you can use your rubber duckie antenna.

Shadcall

I get drunk and I got scanners.

 

[freqhopping]

My scanners have worked fine in aircraft. /shrug/