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I guess it's like the "no smoking" lights in airplanes. Even though they're always on (it's not like there's times during the flight when you can smoke and othe

I guess it's like the "no smoking" lights in airplanes. Even though they're always on (it's not like there's times during the flight when you can smoke and other times when you can't), they serve as an important reminder, and therefore have a purpose.

kogepathic 10y ago
> I guess it's like the "no smoking" lights in airplanes On newer planes the no smoking light is now only a sticker/sign. They're using the bulb that used to be for smoking now to indicate when WiFi/GSM is available (satellite based, so only above 20,000ft). At least this is my experience flying internationally from Europe in the past years.
- Dylan16807 10y ago
  > satellite based, so only above 20,000ft Wha?
  - kogepathic 10y ago
    I'm guessing it has to do with the frequencies/power levels they're using for communications not being permitted below 20,000ft, although I haven't dug much into it. The brochure on my flight said the plane had a 5/1MBit link (shared between all users). Not exactly what you'll watch YouTube videos on, but I suppose it works for email and message apps. https://www.panasonic.aero/inflight-connectivity/global-communications-services/ https://www.panasonic.aero/inflight-connectivity/global-comm...
grecy 10y ago
Of course, the lights used to go on and off when smoking on planes was permitted. I'm not 100% certain, but I'm willing to bet it's still permitted in some countries.
- angry_octet 10y ago
  I don't know anywhere it is officially permitted for passengers, but anecdotally it still happens in some countries. http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2016/07/27/smoking-on-china-eastern-airlines/ http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2016/07/27/smoking-on...
- sitepodmatt 10y ago
  In practice Air India seems to allow it, especially on the older jets and longer flights. Unusally long lines immediately form at toilets and don't seem to subside throughout a several hour flight. The smell of cigarette smoke is attended to regularly with a good old spray of air freshener.
  - kid0m4n 10y ago
    What???? I doubt this is true. Smoking has never been allowed in numerous Air India flights I have taken.
    - SmellyGeekBoy 10y ago
      Agreed. I've taken various internal flights in India, Vietnam and the Philippines and none of them have allowed smoking, officially or "unofficially".
runholm 10y ago
No, the other arms of the intersection are actively using lights so by regulation this arm must also be light regulated. They can't remove it even if they wanted to.
beejiu 10y ago
They are there because of the regulations. You'll also find an ashtray in the bathroom. It is because the regulations have not changed since the times that people were allowed to smoke on planes.
- ghaff 10y ago
  With respect to the ashtrays in bathrooms, I've also read [1] (no idea if it's true or not) that the FAA still requires them on the theory that, if someone illegally has a smoke in the bathroom, they want there to be somewhere safe to stub out their cigarette. [1] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travel-truths/why-do-planes-still-have-ashtrays-/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travel-truths/why-do-plane...

kogepathic 10y ago

> I guess it's like the "no smoking" lights in airplanes On newer planes the no smoking light is now only a sticker/sign. They're using the bulb that used to be for smoking now to indicate when WiFi/GSM is available (satellite based, so only above 20,000ft). At least this is my experience flying internationally from Europe in the past years.

Dylan16807 10y ago
> satellite based, so only above 20,000ft Wha?
- kogepathic 10y ago
  I'm guessing it has to do with the frequencies/power levels they're using for communications not being permitted below 20,000ft, although I haven't dug much into it. The brochure on my flight said the plane had a 5/1MBit link (shared between all users). Not exactly what you'll watch YouTube videos on, but I suppose it works for email and message apps. https://www.panasonic.aero/inflight-connectivity/global-communications-services/ https://www.panasonic.aero/inflight-connectivity/global-comm...

grecy 10y ago

Of course, the lights used to go on and off when smoking on planes was permitted. I'm not 100% certain, but I'm willing to bet it's still permitted in some countries.

angry_octet 10y ago
I don't know anywhere it is officially permitted for passengers, but anecdotally it still happens in some countries. http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2016/07/27/smoking-on-china-eastern-airlines/ http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2016/07/27/smoking-on...
sitepodmatt 10y ago
In practice Air India seems to allow it, especially on the older jets and longer flights. Unusally long lines immediately form at toilets and don't seem to subside throughout a several hour flight. The smell of cigarette smoke is attended to regularly with a good old spray of air freshener.
- kid0m4n 10y ago
  What???? I doubt this is true. Smoking has never been allowed in numerous Air India flights I have taken.
  - SmellyGeekBoy 10y ago
    Agreed. I've taken various internal flights in India, Vietnam and the Philippines and none of them have allowed smoking, officially or "unofficially".

runholm 10y ago

No, the other arms of the intersection are actively using lights so by regulation this arm must also be light regulated. They can't remove it even if they wanted to.

beejiu 10y ago

They are there because of the regulations. You'll also find an ashtray in the bathroom. It is because the regulations have not changed since the times that people were allowed to smoke on planes.

ghaff 10y ago
With respect to the ashtrays in bathrooms, I've also read [1] (no idea if it's true or not) that the FAA still requires them on the theory that, if someone illegally has a smoke in the bathroom, they want there to be somewhere safe to stub out their cigarette. [1] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travel-truths/why-do-planes-still-have-ashtrays-/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travel-truths/why-do-plane...