Why were the passengers on 9/11 hijacked flights able to call their loved ones on cell phones in the air before the crashes, but my modern cell phone loses all service pretty much instantly after t…
I believe the passengers were using those clunky old airplane phones in the seat backs. You'd just slide your credit card through and get a few minutes of not-especially-great service.
The Short Answer
I believe the passengers were using those clunky old airplane phones in the seat backs. You'd just slide your credit card through and get a few minutes of not-especially-great service.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Believe, passengers, using
This explanation focuses on believe, passengers, using and spans 30 words across 2 sentences. At 58% below the average Science explanation (72 words), the answer takes a direct, no-frills approach — sometimes the simplest explanation is the most effective.
What This Answer Covers
This is a focused, single-point answer that gets directly to the core of the question without detours.
How This Compares in Science
Ranked #424 of 500 Science questions by answer depth (top 86%). This is a brief primer — the answer is intentionally short. For questions with a single core mechanism, brevity can actually be a strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why the passengers on 9/11 hijacked flights able to call their loved ones on cell phones in the air before the crashes, but my modern cell phone loses all service pretty much instantly after takeoff.?
I believe the passengers were using those clunky old airplane phones in the seat backs. You'd just slide your credit card through and get a few minutes of not-especially-great service.
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Science questions?
This is a brief answer at 30 words, ranked #424 of 500 Science questions by depth. The key concepts covered are believe, passengers, using.
What approach does this answer take to explain the passengers on 9/11 hijacked flights able to call their l?
The explanation uses direct explanation across 30 words. It is categorized under Science and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.