I was on a flight from PHX-EWR on CO and we were on final approach when the FA came up and asked me to remove my headphones. These are the Bose noise-cancelling headphones.

Me: They are turned off. (They actually were...)
FA: You have to take them off.
Me: Even if they are turned off?
FA: How can I tell if they are turned off?
Me: Well...when they are on, there is a little red light. And when they are off, the little red light goes out...
FA: Continental prohibits the use of any headphones during takeoff and landing. (Actually the CO rules state that they "recommend" not using them...I checked later)
Me: Really?
FA: Yes. If we have trouble during the landing, how will you be able to hear our instructions?
Me: Well, I can actually hear you now...plus if there are problems in landing, you will be telling the other passengers, "See that guy with the big headphones on running away from the burning airplane? Follow him." (I was in seat 1B)
FA: Sir, please don't be difficult...

So, I removed my headphones and promptly replaced them with foam in-ear earplugs. The FA saw me do that and had no problem with that.

I am now confused.

You have to love a job where you can make up the rules as you go...

It's like this: if I'm walking down the aisle and see 35 people with headphones on, and we're on final approach, we don't often have the time to check every passenger's gadget for the little green light. It's the same situation with those cell phone/PDA combos - your's just might have an 'inflight mode' that makes it safe to use, but unfortunately I don't know the ins and outs of every gadget; to check every single one in use on the plane would be cumbersome and time-consuming (not to mention annoying for you and I both!). It's one of those situations where the gadget technology has outpaced our methods on board and in the avionics. Honestly, we don't enjoy 'policing' the gadgets any more than you like having them restricted..I can't wait for the day when everyone can use any toy inflight, personally.

Then of course there are quite a few folks who tell us, "Oh no, it's off - see?" and then switch their iPod or discman back on as soon as we pass on to the next few rows.

The noise-cancelling headphones are great, been thinking about getting a pair myself - but truthfully, in some emergency situations you would need to be as aware of the ambient noise that they cut out.

And at the end of the day, our policies state that all electronic equipment be turned off and stowed when below 10,000 feet, regardless of their effect on anything else. It's not a new rule that was just made up on that particular flight, just one that may have been overlooked on your previous trips.

Flymeaway, I don't know who you work (fly) for, but I hope it's a carrier I might fly one day. I've been pretty favorably impressed by your knowledge and your way of presenting it. Thanks.

I honestly don't see a problem with this request. You were left alone the whole flight until approach. The FA seemed to ask you to take it off for your safety and the safety of those around you. Maybe the FA honestly didn't know if they were on or off and even then like flymeaway said, some people just turn them back on after the FA has left.

If you were honestly interested, why not wait to question it till after the flight had landed? Instead you wasted the FA's time on a simple request that you felt you needed to oppose, while the FA was trying to do his/her duties.

Pick on TSA and not the airline FA's, trust me, we're a lot easier target.

I'm very flattered Deacon, thank you. I think it would be tacky of me to say who I fly for after a compliment such as that....(but I will add that you can often find me in the CAL forum)!

Thanks hon!

Now, my Bose QC's don't work with the power off, so it really begs the question why you need to sit on a plane wearing non-working headphones on finals, which is one of the most dangerous phases of flight when you may *just* need to hear what's going on.

Let's hope that you have a window seat and I don't need to crawl over you on the way out.