Is your cell phone really "off?"

[Precision]

What if one placed the phone in a small metal box?

a faraday box maybe.

Lead lined at least

My conversations are too boring to worry about and my "arsenal" is too small to worry about.

[Dedicated_Dad]

As previously stated, no.

This is interesting -- while flying home from So-Cal, my phone turned itself on and beeped, then gave me a similar "welcome to mexico" message. I was convinced I'd somehow turned it back on, but now I am convinced it was still communicating. No question they can control the power -- perhaps the providers in mexico and israel do this when the "off" phone hits their towers?

Chris: I've been in many similar work-situations, including some facilities where it's prohibited to even bring a phone on-site with a camera. I keep an old one with no camera for this purpose. Verizon now makes it easy to switch to an old phone and back on the fly...

If you check a new phone, most have an "airplane mode" that -- allegedly -- turns off all communications. I would try this next time and see if it made the power situation any better. I will do this next time I fly!

DD

[Combat Controller]

Some people won't buy a GM car now because of Onstar. Even if you DON'T pay for service, Onstar can still turn on the phone and monitor you. Not saying they do, just remember the commercials where the airbag deploys and they call the driver!

On Star got in a suit with the FBI when the guys they were tapping (mobsters in LV) got in a wreck and the service did not work. Turns out after the case IIRC if you have on star they are not libel if they don't call for help, not even if the FBI jacks the communication and won't call for help for you.

[cu74]

..... not even if the FBI jacks the communication and won't call for help for you.

Oh, MAN! That's COLD.

[arctictom]

Pull Battery, and simm chip, capacitors in phone can provide enough charge for location.

Pulling the SIM chip doesn't help in avoiding a location fix on E911 compliant phones.

Roger that, and Capacitors will provide enough charge to provide location.