Originally Posted by yvr76

On an Air Canada Jazz flight today, and the guy next to me full out made a phone call half way through the flight. He definitely knew he wasn't supposed to, as he was discrete about it. I was a little shocked, but didn't say anything.

• How much of a safety issue is this? Or do governments/airlines just like to be 'extra careful'
• What would happen to the passenger if he got caught? Is it like smoking in a lavatory?

I always put my phone in airplane mode when the gate door closes, and then turn it off afterwards for good measure.