Off Duty Pilot - Phone Usage
Jun 25, 2017, 5:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 22
Off Duty Pilot - Phone Usage
Hi All,
Was just curious if I was overreacting on this, but it bothered me. I was sitting next to an off-duty pilot a couple days ago who was heading to JFK in full uniform, badge and all. He used his cell phone (texting, browsing internet, etc.) for at least 2-3 minutes after we were airborne.
I thought that was weird, then as we were getting close to landing, he took his phone off airplane mode just after we passed under 10k feet and used it throughout the landing.
I know many people leave their phones on (knowingly or otherwise), but seemed pretty irresponsible for a pilot to do this.
Was just curious if I was overreacting on this, but it bothered me. I was sitting next to an off-duty pilot a couple days ago who was heading to JFK in full uniform, badge and all. He used his cell phone (texting, browsing internet, etc.) for at least 2-3 minutes after we were airborne.
I thought that was weird, then as we were getting close to landing, he took his phone off airplane mode just after we passed under 10k feet and used it throughout the landing.
I know many people leave their phones on (knowingly or otherwise), but seemed pretty irresponsible for a pilot to do this.
Jun 25, 2017, 5:05 pm
#2
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What's irresponsible about it? It causes no harm.
Jun 25, 2017, 5:36 pm
#4
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Welcome to FlyerTalk, 425! 
I agree it doesn't cause harm, but probably isn't a good example for passengers as Delta must legally ask the passengers to be compliant with the FAR of not using phones in transmit mode, regardless of whether or not it makes a safety difference.
I agree it doesn't cause harm, but probably isn't a good example for passengers as Delta must legally ask the passengers to be compliant with the FAR of not using phones in transmit mode, regardless of whether or not it makes a safety difference.
Jun 25, 2017, 5:40 pm
#5
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I do it all the time
Jun 25, 2017, 5:43 pm
#6
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Perhaps he was typing emails/texts, and wanted to be able to send them upon landing. You are obviously very nosey to be able to tell exactly what he was doing, particularly as the aircraft went below 10K feet during the descent. If you could observe all this, then I assume that any passing flight attendant would have been able to also. Didn't you have anything better to do? Obviously not!
Jun 25, 2017, 5:43 pm
#7
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Doesn't set the greatest example. I had a similar dilemma seated next to a flight attendant who had her cellular connection on and was playing Words With Friends all through landing. Turned out I had far more pressing things to complain about to DL that month, so I never mentioned it. A year or two later, that same FA provided some of the best service I've ever had in F during a diversion.
I just think about it like a cop speeding while not responding to a call. Sucks that they're doing something they'd bust me for, but ultimately, not much is gonna change it, and aside from the appearances, it doesn't truly matter.
I just think about it like a cop speeding while not responding to a call. Sucks that they're doing something they'd bust me for, but ultimately, not much is gonna change it, and aside from the appearances, it doesn't truly matter.
Jun 25, 2017, 5:50 pm
#8
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Welcome to FT! ^
Actually a passing FA is rather unlikely to observe a passenger taking his/her phone out of airplane mode.
Welcome to my ignore list!
David
Perhaps he was typing emails/texts, and wanted to be able to send them upon landing. You are obviously very nosey to be able to tell exactly what he was doing, particularly as the aircraft went below 10K feet during the descent. If you could observe all this, then I assume that any passing flight attendant would have been able to also. Didn't you have anything better to do? Obviously not!
Welcome to my ignore list!
David
Jun 25, 2017, 5:53 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 22
Perhaps he was typing emails/texts, and wanted to be able to send them upon landing. You are obviously very nosey to be able to tell exactly what he was doing, particularly as the aircraft went below 10K feet during the descent. If you could observe all this, then I assume that any passing flight attendant would have been able to also. Didn't you have anything better to do? Obviously not!
Jun 25, 2017, 6:18 pm
#10
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About 2 months ago a Delta captain in full uniform in the aisle across from me had headphones on and read the newspaper (or book) during the entire emergency briefing pre takeoff (was Row 2 of C+).
Bothered me just a tad and definitely not the best example. Pretty sure I posted about it in the least substantive things I can complain about thread.
Bothered me just a tad and definitely not the best example. Pretty sure I posted about it in the least substantive things I can complain about thread.
Jun 25, 2017, 6:21 pm
#11
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I'm sure most FlyerTalkers could recite the entire safety briefing of their preferred airline, including accounting for aircraft type variance.
Jun 25, 2017, 6:21 pm
#12
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Jun 25, 2017, 6:22 pm
#13
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About 2 months ago a Delta captain in full uniform in the aisle across from me had headphones on and read the newspaper (or book) during the entire emergency briefing pre takeoff (was Row 2 of C+).
Bothered me and definitely not the best example. Pretty sure I posted about it in the least substantive things I can complain about thread.
Bothered me and definitely not the best example. Pretty sure I posted about it in the least substantive things I can complain about thread.
Jun 25, 2017, 6:24 pm
#14
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Jun 25, 2017, 6:56 pm
#15
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How many points are you going to request for having to endure this outrage?