Is this a new announcement onboard?
#31
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arizona
Programs: BA (GGL G4L), AA (Gold), HH (Diamond); Marriott (Gold)
Posts: 3,011
In practice I'm not sure how this would ever really be enforced. In the case of the CW seat, you cannot see the charging area when the seat is in bed mode. And passengers can of course bring battery packs that may be used to charge phones, tablets, and laptops independent of the power system that BA provides.
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 18,981
All seats have a light that comes on (which all crew can see easily) when a device is plugged in, if someone is asleep and the light is on I unplug the device, why do people ignore safety related annoucement, do the think the know best?
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Home: East Mids UK - Work (Base): Accra, Ghana.
Programs: BAEC: Silver - Marriott: Titanium
Posts: 12,086
In regards to the not moving a seat if the device falls down below it... There is a picture that has just been shared internally on Yammer of an iPhone, well, parts of it, that were retrieved from a CW seat on the A380 after it was dropped down the side, and the customer decided to move the seat instead of telling the crew.
It is about 20 parts and completely mangled. Yes, the risk may be low of it starting any sort of fire, but the risk is still there.
I won't copy and share the picture, as I don't want to get into trouble again, but it is very real.
It is about 20 parts and completely mangled. Yes, the risk may be low of it starting any sort of fire, but the risk is still there.
I won't copy and share the picture, as I don't want to get into trouble again, but it is very real.
#34
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA silver.
Posts: 213
But if it isn't couched as a safety-related announcement, pax might not make the connection. The first time I heard this was on CA and they didn't explain *why* you couldn't charge devices, so I assumed it was because they didn't want all these devices sucking up power for some sensible limited-onboard-electricity-supply-related reason. "iPADS BURSTING INTO FLAMES" just didn't enter my head.
#35
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: AA EXP, PriorityClub Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz Gold fivestar
Posts: 486
Does that light illuminate if the USB port is being used to charge a phone.
#37
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 677
Have noticed the new seat/phone announcement myself recently, as well as the safety video on Cathay which makes the same point. I do think airlines should state it is for safety reasons as otherwise pax probably just assume it is in case the phone gets lost (the former rationale might be more memorable).
#38
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 834
Guilty!
It didn't fare too badly although I noticed a couple of weeks later it had sustained a significant dent in the back which I'd not noticed because of the cover. Not sure about the seat but can't have done it much good either having an iPad wedged in the workings.
Definitely something worth being mindful of.
#39
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: All over the place often South Wales and Lake District
Programs: BA Gold for Life
Posts: 4,547
The interesting thing is that this announcement about not using at seat power was made on A319/20 flights to and from BLQ over the last few weeks. I've not noticed any at seat power on SH.
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA
Posts: 10,103
#42
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 331
I think the problem with this policy is that if it started getting enforced with any vigour at BA (and so far it doesn't seem to be), people will just resort to bringing external battery power blocks to charge their devices from overnight instead.
I'd be more worried about that personally, given where those devices come from (I've had at least 3 of them as freebies lately, each more dodgy than the last), and it's something the crew can't do much about until it's too late if the device is squirrels away in a seat back pocket or the CW drawer. I think the in seat power (which is hopefully tested regularly!) is the lesser of two evils there.
I'd be more worried about that personally, given where those devices come from (I've had at least 3 of them as freebies lately, each more dodgy than the last), and it's something the crew can't do much about until it's too late if the device is squirrels away in a seat back pocket or the CW drawer. I think the in seat power (which is hopefully tested regularly!) is the lesser of two evils there.
#43
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: London UK
Programs: BA Gold/Marriott Titanium Lifetime/UA/JetBlue
Posts: 618
I think the problem with this policy is that if it started getting enforced with any vigour at BA (and so far it doesn't seem to be), people will just resort to bringing external battery power blocks to charge their devices from overnight instead.
I'd be more worried about that personally, given where those devices come from (I've had at least 3 of them as freebies lately, each more dodgy than the last), and it's something the crew can't do much about until it's too late if the device is squirrels away in a seat back pocket or the CW drawer. I think the in seat power (which is hopefully tested regularly!) is the lesser of two evils there.
I'd be more worried about that personally, given where those devices come from (I've had at least 3 of them as freebies lately, each more dodgy than the last), and it's something the crew can't do much about until it's too late if the device is squirrels away in a seat back pocket or the CW drawer. I think the in seat power (which is hopefully tested regularly!) is the lesser of two evils there.
It is the job of crew to enforce the rules, and to help ensure the safety of everyone on the aircraft but actually everyone on board needs to take responsibility for their own equipment.
I have had incidents recently where I have had to argue with passengers for using the hoover sockets (which are more likely to truly mess up your PED than anything else, so just don't use them!), and for sleeping with a Laptop plugged in to the normal UK socket under the WT seat on an A380, the laptop was hidden under a pillow on an empty middle seat despite me already asking during the meal service for him to make sure he unplugged before he slept. I woke him up and he was very dramatic and upset.
The announcement about dropping your phone down into the seat mechanisms is also due to so many incidents, please be careful.
Safety is the responsibility of everyone on the aircraft not just the crew, so your help and co-operation is much appreciated.
#44
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rhineland-Palatinate
Programs: *A Gold (A3), HHonor Diamond
Posts: 5,640
My recent observations are that quite a few people do not care about safety rules anymore and do not even bother observe them if they think they are against their own convenience:
2 flights this week end and I saw:
- One person having a phone call during take off
- People walking in the aisle during alignment on the runway
- People walking in the aisle during taxi
- One person unbuckling during take off and landing just after the crew passed
- People leaving stuff (bags, electronics) on their lap during landing and take off
Passengers are getting complacent with this. Crews too.
2 flights this week end and I saw:
- One person having a phone call during take off
- People walking in the aisle during alignment on the runway
- People walking in the aisle during taxi
- One person unbuckling during take off and landing just after the crew passed
- People leaving stuff (bags, electronics) on their lap during landing and take off
Passengers are getting complacent with this. Crews too.
#45
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,455