That actually makes sense, the logic there would be that the on-plane system just captured the card number and an on-the-ground system was responsible for checking and billing.
Given that 747s (IIRC) are still using floppy disks (https://google.com/search?q=747+floppy+disks) the chances are the billing was probably done by some equally byzantine process.
Yes, I'm saying that, despite the fact that
"capture calling card number for later using on-plane PBX, establish satellite call directly to dialed number"
and
"establish satellite call directly to on-ground PBX, which asks for calling card number and forwards call"
both ultimately return TRUE for "but users can trigger our satellite uplink to initiate connections just by picking up the phone!!1"... but the latter approach actually blocks illegitimate use and is thus measurably better, and skips the need for an on-plane PBX too.
I can't help but wonder if there was some sort of "capture the number first before initiating the call" initiative early on (which totally makes sense), only for the calling-card billing integration to fall through at some point rendering the whole approach moot.
Naturally I'm making a lot of assumptions here, the biggest being that the plane isn't just making a direct-to-ground connection the moment you pick up the phone, with an on-ground system accepting then forgetting the calling card number. That would be even more stupefying but I do doubt that's what was happening.
Given that 747s (IIRC) are still using floppy disks (https://google.com/search?q=747+floppy+disks) the chances are the billing was probably done by some equally byzantine process.
Yes, I'm saying that, despite the fact that
"capture calling card number for later using on-plane PBX, establish satellite call directly to dialed number"
and
"establish satellite call directly to on-ground PBX, which asks for calling card number and forwards call"
both ultimately return TRUE for "but users can trigger our satellite uplink to initiate connections just by picking up the phone!!1"... but the latter approach actually blocks illegitimate use and is thus measurably better, and skips the need for an on-plane PBX too.
I can't help but wonder if there was some sort of "capture the number first before initiating the call" initiative early on (which totally makes sense), only for the calling-card billing integration to fall through at some point rendering the whole approach moot.
Naturally I'm making a lot of assumptions here, the biggest being that the plane isn't just making a direct-to-ground connection the moment you pick up the phone, with an on-ground system accepting then forgetting the calling card number. That would be even more stupefying but I do doubt that's what was happening.