Originally Posted by thegeneral
There seems to be different times when flight attendants say to turn off electronics on flights. From what I understand, it should be done just before final approach. Many times, the FA's ask that it be done on initial descent. Can someone fill me on what the rule is so I can know if I should be complaining? Thanks.
I'm not sure that complaining is necessary, even if it is done before it is 'supposed' to be done.
Electronics should be powered off for 'critical' phases of flight - that is, the time when most accidents and incidents tend to occur, and the time when you and your crew should be prepared for those accidents and incidents should they occur. It may vary from airline to airline, but where I work we've set the magic number at 10,000 feet.
But sometimes there are special circumstances that have us doing it a little earlier or even a little later. If the flight deck has been warned that the approach may be very turbulent (and dangerous for us to be up, for galleys to be unsecured), then we may prepare the cabin a little earlier than usual - even if it turns out that we're spared the bumpy ride. Or if the approach pattern has us dropping below 10,000 very early or holding for quite a while before landing, the pilots occasionally wait to give us the 'final approach' signal.
In any case, the wisest thing to do would be to just turn them off when you are asked to do so. You can always ask your FA's about their policies and methods without accusing them of anything nefarious - and doing so might help you understand why they are doing whatever it is they are doing.