Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,156
No headphones during takeoff/landing
Flying from SYD up to CFS on a QantasLink 400Q last week I was asked to remove my Shure in-ear headphones during both takeoff and landing. On landing I was even asked to do this about 5-10 mins before the seatbelt sign was even turned on for landing. The headphones weren't plugged into anything (in effect during takeoff/landing I was just using them as earplugs)
Anyone know if this is a new requirement? I'm guessing the logic is that if there's an emergency it will be more difficult to hear any crew instructions, but it's not nothing I've been asked to do of any of the dozen or so airlines I've flown in the past few few years.