invisible

My phone did ring when I was flying over Sierra Nevada on SFO-LAS flight. It was so weird that I actually did answer the call.

jozdemir

I was once flying to a minesite in the middle of nowhere on a little Cessna Caravan and they told me that since they didn't go above 10k feet that we didn't need to turn our phones off...so I didn't, got a phone call, then couldn't hear anything because the cabin was so noisy

No surprises I guess but still a bit of an anti-climax haha

djs

Without getting into the safety issue of use of electronic devices during takeoff/landing, I'd say the FA was correct. On just about every flight I've been on in the last 10 years the spiel about electronic devices has included "anything with an on/off switch". This would include a flashlight.

Laylla

Since I don't actually think that electronic devices pose any threat to the operation of the aircraft, I think this one is a "mind your own business".

That said, it is annoying when people think they are "above the law" or "above the rules". It's like a silent DYKWIA, cause I'm better than you! However, there are sometimes consequences. I have a friend that is an AA FA based out of IAD, and she told me that she actually had security deplane a passenger from first class after that passenger refused to turn off an iPad, and was belligerent about it. I also witnessed a guy that was ignoring the "fasten seatbelt" sign, got up and was in the aisle when we came upon a big turbulence bump, and he was knocked off his feet and flat on his face. Karma's a ......

I've said this before and I'll say it again, when the rules are not enforced, only "rule followers" will follow the rules. Other people will not.

planemechanic

And when the rules have absolutely no connection to reality, as is the case here, they will be ignored, by many.

This has nothing to do with anyone thinking they are "above the law", it is simply that people can't be bothered to do something which has no effect on safety.

dchristiva

Exactly. MYOFB.

incognitoMD

This.

Haha. If not turned off, I at least use airplane mode, to conserve that extra bit of juice for a couple of hours inflight. But for the people whose phones happened to ring in flight..

kelvinj

OP, I agre with you. While I wouldn't say anything to another passenger, I would not be upset with someone who would. I don't like when people ignore the announcement (which is a requirement - NOT A REQUEST), because it shows that they do not take direction well. I especially hate seeing people in First/Business Class ignore this requirement. Why? These are the same DYKWIA passengers that quickly pass judgement on others for "not following the rules" in life. Moreover, the argue that the rule "really doesn't matter." Well, whether it matters or not is not the point. It's a requirement, and everyone is should follow it. Not doing so makes you just as bad as a common criminal who doesn't think the rules apply to them.

One last thing, I hate that Flight Attendants are selective as to who/when they enforce the rules. Sometimes I wonder if they are afraid to chastise certain passengers. Guess the point is I couldn't be a flight attendant, because I would enforce rules.

Another thing...When some "undesirable" shows up on the news/youtube.com for not following the rules on a flight, frequent flyers are quick to pass judgement. Yet, they do the same thing. That's what is worst about the entire situation. Enforce your laws on everyone but me....

sendbillmoney

I leave it alone. The airline isn't going to have my back if I do its job for it, and it's certainly not going to discount the fare.

That said, it annoys me when someone manages to "not hear" the announcement, but they hear the personal hey-you from the FA just fine. If they are delaying pushback, they deserve to writhe in lengthy torment.

SANspotter

I'm a non-confrontational person to the fullest, so there's no way I'd say anything. It doesn't bother me.

Besides, I occasionally like to take pictures of the view out the window during takeoff, and I always hope that I wont be confronted. Never have been, luckily.

mtftw

How on earth does this even impact you? Talking on the phone - ok, I totally get that because it's loud. Texting is....silent.

If we all followed the rules, we'd still be sending tax dollars back to England.

relberger

I just have "fun" spectating the scolding roulette. Who's going to get scolded for the phone ... the seat upright position ... tray table ... bag not under seat in front of them ... I never say anything, but in my mind I just think, "man, you were itching for that..."

relberger

That has got to be one of the most obtuse arguments I've seen on FT.

It's not up to you to rationalize the situation. They've got rules. Follow them or have fun taking the train. Or bus. Or ... flying your own plane under 10k feet.

Xynix

I fly a 172 when I need to go from ATL to close places like Birmingham and Huntsville.. Often times I do concalls or take phonecalls while flying. I have much more advanced avionics (believe it or not) than 99% of the commercial airliners. I think the rules are just plain silly and typical government oversight of a non-existent problem.

So to answer the question I don't care.. I use my kindle almost all the time and FAs don't even seem to care as they walk by and clearly see me reading on it. I would say 1 out of 5 tell me to turn it off which I comply with.

iflyuaaa

or break the rules and fly anyways. it works for 99% of us