Rant: parents who let kids watch programmes on tablets on flights
Dec 19, 2017, 6:05 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,334
I honestly think it's about time BA implemented a "you must wear a headset/earphones if you are listening to any sound on your own device during flight".
It seems obvious and common courtesy and should not need to be said, but it's becoming increasingly uncommon to have any basic courtesy towards others.
On probably about 50% of my recent flights there was someone within earshot (both children and adults) that was playing their device without the headphone/earphones.
It seems obvious and common courtesy and should not need to be said, but it's becoming increasingly uncommon to have any basic courtesy towards others.
On probably about 50% of my recent flights there was someone within earshot (both children and adults) that was playing their device without the headphone/earphones.
Dec 19, 2017, 6:21 pm
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,198
I remember one eejit had his ghettoblaster playing Simple Minds at full volume on a flight to GLA back in the 80's. The crew weren't long in telling him that if he wanted to remain 'alive and kicking' he had better turn it off.
Dec 19, 2017, 6:40 pm
#18
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: London
Programs: Don't even mention it. Grrrrrrr.
Posts: 968
It was a strange time. Holding those devices on the shoulder walking down the street. I never understood then, and I struggle to understand similar behaviours now.
Dec 19, 2017, 6:48 pm
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
You guys should visit China to understand what you encountered is really a minority. In China you will be forced to listen to the soap opera on phone from the old auntie and uncle, then the very private talk from a girlfriend to her boyfriend, and annoying kids playing loud video games... Thank goodness mobile phone is banned during flight in China. At least during flight it was an oasis.
Dec 19, 2017, 6:50 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
I remember the short lived snoring thread where the answer to noise nuisance was something along the lines of "touch me and it's assault" followed by "it's public transport, innit". I think the initial response from most parents would be more conciliatory, but along the same lines ultimately. Personally in both situations I put the Bose headset on.
Dec 19, 2017, 7:34 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LAS/DXB
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 1,193
You guys should visit China to understand what you encountered is really a minority. In China you will be forced to listen to the soap opera on phone from the old auntie and uncle, then the very private talk from a girlfriend to her boyfriend, and annoying kids playing loud video games... Thank goodness mobile phone is banned during flight in China. At least during flight it was an oasis.
Dec 19, 2017, 8:10 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 969
You guys should visit China to understand what you encountered is really a minority. In China you will be forced to listen to the soap opera on phone from the old auntie and uncle, then the very private talk from a girlfriend to her boyfriend, and annoying kids playing loud video games... Thank goodness mobile phone is banned during flight in China. At least during flight it was an oasis.
Dec 19, 2017, 8:34 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TSV, Australia
Posts: 2,401
On New South Wales Trainlin services, they make an announcement that headphones must be used if listening to music or watching content on any electronic devices.
Last edited by camsean; Dec 19, 2017 at 8:36 pm Reason: random capitalisation
Dec 19, 2017, 9:44 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 39
Similar thing happened to me on a J Etihad flight. Mom had her kid on her lap and let her watch stuff on her ipad. The J seats had this annoying configuration where this woman was rear facing which made it even worse. This was while the lights were fully off and everyone was in sleep mode (the kid had slept during the meal & takeoff). My wife and I complained to the flight attendant and they ended up moving us to different seats rather than confront the woman. We considered fighting but in the end we just wanted to sleep so we gave up and accepted the new seats.
Dec 19, 2017, 9:51 pm
#25
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: US of A
Programs: Delta Diamond, United 1K, BA Blue, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,775
The volume of passive aggressive tension in this thread is quintessentially British 
Dec 19, 2017, 11:51 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,072
Family rule for electronic devices when outside home: no headset = no sound.
That said, I remember more adult with full volume videos on the phone (both at the gate and on the flight) than kids.
That said, I remember more adult with full volume videos on the phone (both at the gate and on the flight) than kids.
Dec 20, 2017, 12:23 am
#27
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 928
Far worse at the moment is the gentleman who has been pacing round the GLA lounge for half an hour on the epitome of a DYKWIA call.
Dec 20, 2017, 12:38 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: Mucci, BA, Hilton.
Posts: 1,158
Ah, I feel your pain.
I will however add some context in similar situations I have found myself in.
We have an iPad loaded with fireman Sam and peppa pig. It lives in an indestructible iPad cover that would probably survive a necular war. We also have Frozen earphones, which could be the most popular thing in our house. The child sometimes takes these out to play with without our knowledge. Every long haul flight we have remembered them no problem. There has been a couple of short haul flights where they have been forgotten.
I dont one know your situation so I can only describe my own. There is no amount of reasoning, bribery, scolding, pleading, begging, gin, brandy or whiskey that can calm my two year old like the sound of that bloody pig. I have played it before for her on a flight without earphones. I have kept the volume as low as possible. It may not be popular but I’ve taken the decision that the noise of that bloody pig is preferable to full scale fallout. This isn’t to say it’s right,I should always remember the earphones but sometimes accidents happen.
The flight from from Belfast is about an hour, which I’m sure you know well. If possible try not to let it bother you.
For or any parents I suggest a google of Scottish peppa pig, definitely NSFW and not for children’s ears.
I will however add some context in similar situations I have found myself in.
We have an iPad loaded with fireman Sam and peppa pig. It lives in an indestructible iPad cover that would probably survive a necular war. We also have Frozen earphones, which could be the most popular thing in our house. The child sometimes takes these out to play with without our knowledge. Every long haul flight we have remembered them no problem. There has been a couple of short haul flights where they have been forgotten.
I dont one know your situation so I can only describe my own. There is no amount of reasoning, bribery, scolding, pleading, begging, gin, brandy or whiskey that can calm my two year old like the sound of that bloody pig. I have played it before for her on a flight without earphones. I have kept the volume as low as possible. It may not be popular but I’ve taken the decision that the noise of that bloody pig is preferable to full scale fallout. This isn’t to say it’s right,I should always remember the earphones but sometimes accidents happen.
The flight from from Belfast is about an hour, which I’m sure you know well. If possible try not to let it bother you.
For or any parents I suggest a google of Scottish peppa pig, definitely NSFW and not for children’s ears.
Dec 20, 2017, 12:58 am
#30
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,574
In the countless flights I've been on this year, I've been irritated by:
1) Loud mobile phone usage around pushback or in lounges (several times)
2) Full recline w*nkers in WT or WT+ (many times)
3) People not cleaning up in the toilets after a "number 2"
4) Someone noxiously farting in First all night
5) Snoring, countless countless times
6) Being kicked in the back by a toddler (once, he was trying to sleep and although it woke me up with a jolt it didn't last long).
7) Armrest wars in Y.
Being annoyed by audible noise from a child's electronics or phone, not one single time as far as I can recall.
It's fascinating the difference in tone between this and the snoring question - loud snoring is much more prevalent and much more irritating. This is presumably because snoring lives more in the circle marked "self" and noisy children are in the circle marked "other people (see also the "lowering of societal standards" and "the inevitable decline of society")". As I said, the defence from snorers was "it's public transport, therefore touch me and I report you for assault". Same applies here really, well, not the assault part, but it is public transport and you see a spectrum of behaviour. I don't see the problem very much if at all, if I do I assume there's a reason and work around it.
1) Loud mobile phone usage around pushback or in lounges (several times)
2) Full recline w*nkers in WT or WT+ (many times)
3) People not cleaning up in the toilets after a "number 2"
4) Someone noxiously farting in First all night
5) Snoring, countless countless times
6) Being kicked in the back by a toddler (once, he was trying to sleep and although it woke me up with a jolt it didn't last long).
7) Armrest wars in Y.
Being annoyed by audible noise from a child's electronics or phone, not one single time as far as I can recall.
It's fascinating the difference in tone between this and the snoring question - loud snoring is much more prevalent and much more irritating. This is presumably because snoring lives more in the circle marked "self" and noisy children are in the circle marked "other people (see also the "lowering of societal standards" and "the inevitable decline of society")". As I said, the defence from snorers was "it's public transport, therefore touch me and I report you for assault". Same applies here really, well, not the assault part, but it is public transport and you see a spectrum of behaviour. I don't see the problem very much if at all, if I do I assume there's a reason and work around it.
