Is it time for BA to crack down on use of speakers in lounges and on planes?
#1
Original Poster
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Is it time for BA to crack down on use of speakers in lounges and on planes?
It is getting worse.
I must pass through lounges ten times a week on average.
On more than half of those visits, I find myself being disturbed by someone either taking a call on speakerphone, playing a TV show or video on speaker or playing a video game out loud.
A few days ago, I took matters in to my own hands and was thanked by a number of lounge staff.
It is also becoming a problem on board.
Does BA now need to adopt a stringent policy about this? Or would this cost them too much in lost business from certain parts of the world?
I must pass through lounges ten times a week on average.
On more than half of those visits, I find myself being disturbed by someone either taking a call on speakerphone, playing a TV show or video on speaker or playing a video game out loud.
A few days ago, I took matters in to my own hands and was thanked by a number of lounge staff.
It is also becoming a problem on board.
Does BA now need to adopt a stringent policy about this? Or would this cost them too much in lost business from certain parts of the world?
#4
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#5
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#6
Join Date: Apr 2009
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I don't know if it's time for BA to take a stand specifically, but it is time for people to stop being so selfish. I have no idea when it became acceptable to play music or listen to the TV out loud on your speakers in public, it's so rude. I don't want to hear it! I had to spend a whole 2.5 hour flight listening to chuffing Peppa Pig on a really high volume from the child seated behind me, whose parents felt it was acceptable to have it on at such a high volume and without, oh I don't know, using headphones! (And no I didn't mention anything at the time, so I don't have any right to complain etc. etc., but this is the topic and I am responding ^).
#7
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#8
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I don't know if it's time for BA to take a stand specifically, but it is time for people to stop being so selfish. I have no idea when it became acceptable to play music or listen to the TV out loud on your speakers in public, it's so rude. I don't want to hear it! I had to spend a whole 2.5 hour flight listening to chuffing Peppa Pig on a really high volume from the child seated behind me, whose parents felt it was acceptable to have it on at such a high volume and without, oh I don't know, using headphones! (And no I didn't mention anything at the time, so I don't have any right to complain etc. etc., but this is the topic and I am responding ^).
#9
Join Date: Jun 2011
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Yes, absolutely agree. And when people talk on their phones with the speaker on, I just despair. I feel like grabbing their phone and lobbing it as far as I can. Selfish isnt the word.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2016
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It appears that many people now imagine that they are in an episode of The Apprentice and hold the phone at 90 degrees to their fizog and bellow. I think it's Manchester that has introduced moron lanes on the pavement for those who cannot lift their eyes from their phone.
#11
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To answer the question in the thread title: yes, a decade or so ago.
#12
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I once asked a chap to moderate his voice and he did and then came to apologies and then said he moved so as to not disturb his friends!
I gently said that he could have nipped back behind the screens at the entrance from the first wing and he would have disturbed no one.
But yes something needs to be done - signs etc would be a start and then gentle reminders from staff.
I gently said that he could have nipped back behind the screens at the entrance from the first wing and he would have disturbed no one.
But yes something needs to be done - signs etc would be a start and then gentle reminders from staff.
#13
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Whilst they are at it, perhaps a ban on screaming kids, sef important people speaking loudly on phones, and the most annoying of all, eating crisps on a night flight. :O
Of course there is always the option of your own headphones.
Of course there is always the option of your own headphones.

#14
Join Date: Jul 2017
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Was in Row 1 a couple of weeks ago (CE) and someone was playing a videogame at quite high volume. I asked the CSM to ask them to please turn it down. She reappeared a few moments later saying "it is a child: hopefully they will turn it off when we take off". I was a bit surprised she didn't 'request' they turn it off then and there, although I didn't notice it after the engines turned on so not sure if they stopped or were just too far back.
(OT, but I felt sorry for her later when she was one meal short and realised 3D was an impostor who "thought it was un-allocated seating". Couldn't quite believe that!)
(OT, but I felt sorry for her later when she was one meal short and realised 3D was an impostor who "thought it was un-allocated seating". Couldn't quite believe that!)
#15
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Was in Row 1 a couple of weeks ago (CE) and someone was playing a videogame at quite high volume. I asked the CSM to ask them to please turn it down. She reappeared a few moments later saying "it is a child: hopefully they will turn it off when we take off". I was a bit surprised she didn't 'request' they turn it off then and there, although I didn't notice it after the engines turned on so not sure if they stopped or were just too far back.
(OT, but I felt sorry for her later when she was one meal short and realised 3D was an impostor who "thought it was un-allocated seating". Couldn't quite believe that!)
(OT, but I felt sorry for her later when she was one meal short and realised 3D was an impostor who "thought it was un-allocated seating". Couldn't quite believe that!)
This doesn't sound like a very professional FA. Being a child doesn't make it OK to listen to videos ion business class (even CE) without headphones. She should have insisted that the thing be turned off or muted immediately if headphones weren't available and not "hopefully" after takeoff.