Originally Posted by chessman

On a very delayed EWR to PIT flight a couple of years ago, we were sitting at the gate waiting for a mechanic who was going to be flying to PIT to fix a plane there and the people across the aisle asked the FA if they could step outside and smoke. (Incidentally, on that same flight the person sitting next to me helpfully pointed out that I was violating the rules by using my cellphone as we taxied after landing.)