Holding a book in bulkhead
I had a friend flying AS today that texted me asking if it was against the rules to hold a book in bulkhead. Evidently a FA on his flight was a bit overzealous and got into an argument with a lady sitting in F reading a book before takeoff. FA told her she needed to put the book in the overhead bin for takeoff and landing. The passenger responded that they'd always read a book and never been told to put it away. The FA responded "Well they must make more than me and can afford to be fined. Put the book in the overhead." The passenger stated that she would just put it in the magazine holder in front of her, FA denies that as well saying it must go in the overhead, nowhere else.
Is this an overaggressive interpretation of the egress rules or do you technically have to put a book away? Yes, I know "all" crew member instructions is the rule. |
Originally Posted by jmail1
(Post 31709258)
I had a friend flying AS today that texted me asking if it was against the rules to hold a book in bulkhead. Evidently a FA on his flight was a bit overzealous and got into an argument with a lady sitting in F reading a book before takeoff. FA told her she needed to put the book in the overhead bin for takeoff and landing. The passenger responded that they'd always read a book and never been told to put it away. The FA responded "Well they must make more than me and can afford to be fined. Put the book in the overhead." The passenger stated that she would just put it in the magazine holder in front of her, FA denies that as well saying it must go in the overhead, nowhere else.
Is this an overaggressive interpretation of the egress rules or do you technically have to put a book away? Yes, I know "all" crew member instructions is the rule. |
Originally Posted by jmail1
(Post 31709258)
Is this an overaggressive interpretation of the egress rules or do you technically have to put a book away?
Not all books are created equal so just saying "it's a book" doesn't mean its safe. Maybe it was a giant, heavy, hardcover book and a tiny little old lady with frail arms? It'd hurt just as much as a laptop. And clearly multiple FA's have concerns about the bulkhead magazines holders ability to stop heavy object from coming loose during take-off and landing |
It really depends on the title of the book. "The Joy of Sex" could elicit such a response for many many reasons I will not get into here.
|
She probably borrowed this. FA was totally justified if so.
https://www.washington.edu/news/2005...lay-its-spine/ |
It could've been a large book. It could've been a nasty FA. It could've been both.
Unless your friend can describe said book in more detail, all we can do is throw darts in the dark here. (I'm not recommending throwing darts in the bulkhead row, or any row, on a plane) |
I once got asked to put away my iPad. I don’t think the FA was correct in asking me to do so, and I was a little annoyed (as I tend to be a person who knows and follows the rules and hates to be “corrected” in any way). However, it was easiest to just put it away.
|
Originally Posted by jmail1
(Post 31709258)
The passenger stated that she would just put it in the magazine holder in front of her, FA denies that as well saying it must go in the overhead, nowhere else.
The announcement at the beginning of flights is "small handheld devices can be kept, larger devices must be put away". Maybe the book was similar sized to a laptop, maybe the FA was going "no book for you, come back one year". I agree that having a discussion about something nobody involved witnessed is not particularly illuminating. |
Originally Posted by eponymous_coward
(Post 31709489)
I agree that having a discussion about something nobody involved witnessed is not particularly illuminating.
|
That would have to be a heck of a book to be larger than an iPad Pro, which I'm sure passengers have used during take off and landing. The snide comment about the fine is absurd escalation too, the sort of frivolous remark we always caution Flyertalkers against when writing complaints to airline customer service.
This is all secondhand but I hope the woman involved complains to AS about it. |
Originally Posted by Gig103
(Post 31710130)
I hope the woman involved complains to AS about it.
|
Items that can become projectiles in an emergency must be stored during taxy, take-off and landing. It's a simple rule, not always enforced. Lack of consistent enforcement doesn't invalidate the rule, however.
|
Originally Posted by twitch76
(Post 31709445)
I once got asked to put away my iPad. I don’t think the FA was correct in asking me to do so, and I was a little annoyed (as I tend to be a person who knows and follows the rules and hates to be “corrected” in any way). However, it was easiest to just put it away.
|
Originally Posted by NWAlaskaFlyer
(Post 31710995)
Same. I have the 12.9" which is getting into small laptop territory. I wasn't happy about it but the FA sets the rules. Given this has only happened once in dozens of flights I do feel he was over zealous but the only rule when dealing with an FA is to comply (at least when it comes to safety.)
|
First I was thinking ..., but yes. I can see that the size of the book could be an issue - coffee table or large text book would be a no no, a trade paperback, not so much. My Taller Half (tm) reads voraciously and is usually seated in the bulkhead. She usually slides her book or e-reader between her lap and seat divider during take off. Ditto for the water bottle (in the event of the appearance of a PDB) - in which case, angels trumpet and everyone smiles for once.
|
Originally Posted by NWAlaskaFlyer
(Post 31710995)
Same. I have the 12.9" which is getting into small laptop territory. I wasn't happy about it but the FA sets the rules. Given this has only happened once in dozens of flights I do feel he was over zealous but the only rule when dealing with an FA is to comply (at least when it comes to safety.)
That said, AS could do a better job by providing better guidance. E.g., "small laptop" is a meaningless descriptor. All it would take is to describe the dimensions and that would be the end of it. I do subscribe to the idea that larger items ought to be stowed. These things become projectiles in an emergency and I value my health more than I value some other person's self-importance to type during landing. |
I’m curious to know the size of the book. Though, pretty much anything can be a projectile in rough air or hard landings. A magazine or small paperback would be better, War and Peace.. not so much.
I’m still surprised they allow iPads. I put mine away for take off and landing. It would suck to get hit by my iPad if it goes flying during turbulence or possibly an aborted take off, or rough landing. (I know turbulence can happen without warning) Granted, my home airport is typically bumpy to fly in and out of. |
In separate flights in the past, I've been made to put away a magazine and a newspaper. I was told by one FA that anyone sitting in the bulkhead must have nothing at all in their hands or laps.
|
Originally Posted by Buster
(Post 31711859)
In separate flights in the past, I've been made to put away a magazine and a newspaper. I was told by one FA that anyone sitting in the bulkhead must have nothing at all in their hands or laps.
|
I read on the internet that a guy heard it from a friend of his that a woman on a plane was told something by an unidentified flight attendant regarding a book.
Maybe it's true, and maybe it's not. It's really hard to respond intelligently to such a post. Just put the book away during takeoff and landing and get on with your life. |
Originally Posted by skywardhunter
(Post 31710643)
Items that can become projectiles in an emergency must be stored during taxy, take-off and landing. It's a simple rule, not always enforced. Lack of consistent enforcement doesn't invalidate the rule, however.
|
Originally Posted by NWAlaskaFlyer
(Post 31710995)
Same. I have the 12.9" which is getting into small laptop territory. I wasn't happy about it but the FA sets the rules. Given this has only happened once in dozens of flights I do feel he was over zealous but the only rule when dealing with an FA is to comply (at least when it comes to safety.)
|
Originally Posted by michaelstant
(Post 31713532)
Same thing to report here. I have the 12.9" iPad Pro and have only been asked to put it away once.
|
Originally Posted by Often1
(Post 31711398)
FA's do not set the rules. AS sets the rules and FA's as employees, do what they are told.
That said, AS could do a better job by providing better guidance. E.g., "small laptop" is a meaningless descriptor. All it would take is to describe the dimensions and that would be the end of it. I do subscribe to the idea that larger items ought to be stowed. These things become projectiles in an emergency and I value my health more than I value some other person's self-importance to type during landing. I agree on the larger item. Once we are rolling I tuck my iPad to the side and pin it down with my elbow. |
Originally Posted by BJM
(Post 31712995)
You mean like lap children or ESAs?
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 1:49 pm. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.