MP3 player on the plane

[matt_r_baker]

In a few weeks time i will be flying to south africa and i have a 20gb harddrive MP3 player. Will the pressurised cabin damage the harddrive or the air tight seals in the player protecting the HD? Should i take it on the plane with me, leave it in my bag in the hold or leave it at home?

[Skids]

The cabin pressure in an aircraft is only marginally above that which we experience out in the open down here on the surface, so that's not a problem. The airline may have a problem with you using electronic equipment onboard during flight.

[kempie]

Cabin pressure for an airliner in flight is lower than atmospheric pressure at sea level; typically it will be equivalent to the pressure at around 8,000 ft for 'planes which fly at 10,000 ft and over.

[Dagman]

It'll be fine, I've used mine loads of times on flights. You are asked not to use them at the beginning and end of the flight tho as some devices can emit signals that may be a problem at that stage of the journey for some reason. Some people use laptops too!

[fo3nix]

Dagman: that's not really why they ask you not to use it on takeoff and landing stages. They ask you not to because it can distract your attention, and they want your full attention incase anything goes wrong or something; takeoff and landing are the most dangerous parts of any flight.