tampatravel

I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this happen?

I was in first class flying from MIA to LGA (AA Flight 1367 on 12/05) and seated in 3E. Somewhere over North Carolina, and just after meal service, the man in 4F begins to talk loud behind me. At first I just think he's talking to his seatmate loudly. However, after glancing back, I notice he's on his phone having a conversation. He was coming in loud and clear though my Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones while I was listening to music, so that gives you an idea how loud he was. The FA noticed not too long after that and told him to stop. He acted like he couldn't speak English and continued to keep talking for another 20 minutes. Besides being against FCC rules (since 1991), this was super annoying.

I was very surprised that the FA asked him once, told him it was a safety issue, but then never came back to say anything to him. I expected her to escalate that a little more than politely asking him to stop once.

I dropped a line to AA and was also surprised at their response too. "The flight attendant's authority is limited to ensuring compliance with safety directives. We rely on each adult passenger to conduct themselves in a socially respectable manner and to adhere to the no cell phone use while in flight policy and regulations." I get that, but I see people confronted all the time coming into the first class cabin to use the lavatory, and for much less annoying activities.

I was just wondering if anyone else has had this happen on a flight in the US.

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bchandler02

Is it against FCC rules if it is a VOIP call using in flight wifi - or does the FCC rule apply to cellular based calls only?

Often1

For current purposes, no US carrier permits voice calls under its safety and security policy. Those are filed with the FAA and it is a violation of FAA rules both for the carrier to fail to enforce its policy and for the passenger to disobey a crewmember instruction regarding the policy. The entire FCC vs. DOT debate is a longer term issue, irrelevant for the moment.

First, if it was annoying, the time to raise it is immediately with the FA. Don't wait for the FA to notice it.
Second, when it continued, raise it again. There are easy ways to communicate to those who do not speak the local language, e.g. English, that it's time to put the phone away and crew receive a good deal of training on how to do this in a non-threatening manner.
Third, if it continues, ask the FA whether this is something which you ought to report to both AA and DOT (FAA). That will at least get a consultation between the FA and Captain.

enviroian

Who does this self entitled tool think he is on the phone? Doesn't speak English my arse. I would have said something to said tool after asking the flight attendant to alert the captain.

I would have been livid.

JetAway

Obviously a very important individual. I do enjoy hearing these types loudly discuss confidential business matters and deals.

Head

Then you, my friend, are missing out if you don't have an AC membership!

skylady

We are being trained to elevate, not escalate

arollins

Time to pick up your phone and phone bomb him, just have a conversation as if you are talking to him, answer his question etc. He will get the point.

HofstraJet

LOL. Well done.

Often1

Engaging other passengers directly drops you to their level. Let the crew deal with it.

But, OP did not even complain.

6P&E

The louder the call, the less likely there is any real importance to the conversation.

ijgordon

You should have just sat facing backward on your knees, rested your head on your arms on the top of the seatback and stared longingly into his eyes. I guess since he wasn't directly behind you, you'd have to angle your head a little, but surely the passenger in 4E wouldn't have minded.