Why are the rules different?
 

I've flown 106,000 miles on CO this year.

Today, on a flight from LAS to CLE, on taxiing at LAS, the FA announced to the first class cabin that we COULD NOT have headphones on for taxi or takeoff, even with noise cancellation turned off. He went to every row and insisted that all earphone / headphones were removed.

Every CO flight (except this one) I've ever been on with DirectTV has allowed headphones during taxi and takeoff.

My outbound flight on Tuesday's 6:45pm EWR-LAS flight didn't offer pre-taxi beverage, and dinner service was not served with white/red wine. I had to ask for red wine to be served with dinner.

I know it sounds like I'm complaining about trivial things, but in a system-oriented industry with strict rules and regulations, why are so many flights operated with a different set of rules?

I don't know the exact CO policy on this (i cant imagine it allows FAs to make up their own rules), but within reason, I am OK with flight crews making up some of their own policies that clearly have our safety, security, and timeliness in mind. Obviously, having no headphones in during taxi and takeoff is important in case of emergency, and the pre-departure drinks could be a result of a slow boarding cabin or delay (hopefully not lazy crew). On the other hand, the no wine with dinner certainly does not fall under the safety and security part.

FA making up their own safety/security rules? No thanks! I don't even think they are qualified for that. I will let an expert at TSA or CO make that for them. FA should do their job by following the standard procedures. DTV is compatible with take-off and landing, so being on or off is not an issue for the plane operation.

FA have some degree of freedom on the pre-departure drinks if the flight is delayed, but that's about it. In this case looks like a lazy FA (no pre-dep drinks, no wine).

every now and then you will get a FA who insist window shades be up for takeoff. what's up with that?

They are supposed to be up for visibility outside in case of emergency. it is a prettry standard worldwide rule.

On TWA this was an official company-wide policy which was instituted after the crash of TW 843 at JFK in 1992.

A passenger noticed one of the engines on fire, which led to a harrowing sequence of events, an aborted take-off (after lift off had begun) and--obviously--a hard landing.

With quick thinking and great teamwork, all 292 aboard were led safely off the plane within about 90 seconds with any serious injuries. A few moments later, the plane was a smoldering heap.

After that, TWA decided that, had window shades been closed, the burning engine might not have been seen, potentially leading to a major tragedy.

I think having all window shades up during take off is an excellent idea.

This isn't a CO rule. IIRC the only component of CO that requires this is Colgan Air, and on my last flight from EWR, they didn't announce it, so maybe they're adopting the CO policy (like they did when they stopped serving back to front).

I would drop a line to we don't care or give them a call. CO needs to know about this, and if THEY decide to educate or discipline the FA, then that's their call. But if they don't know about it nothing will be done.

I have had the exact same thing happen on AA before. I wear my headset and sleep.. I actually had an FA wake me up to tell me to take them off. Its not that way on most flights though.

If you're plugged into DTV, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to have headphones in. I believe the DTV can be killed by the FA should something go wrong. I personally don't agree with not being able to listen to an ipod, etc, because it would take all of three seconds to rip it off and follow any crewmember instructions, but I've come to accept the policy and comply. After all, it would take me longer to orient myself after waking up then to take off headphones.

At CO:

Headphones can be worn during any phase of flight provided the power is turned of below 10,00 ft. Shades can be in any position during any phase of flight.

Anyone who tells you different doesn't know what they are talking about. I would be embarrassed if they were my crew member on the flight and spouted some made up crap like that. They need a gentle reminder to actually take a look at the policies.

I generally prefer to be plugged into the aircraft IFE for that reason, I will hear any announcement by the crew or pilot. However there have been times that I have had my headphones plugged into my iPod and have completely missed cabin announcements (thankfully just the common ones) because I couldn't hear any noise outside my headphones (non noise cancelling)