I want a "Do Not Disturb" sign while flying
 

Sometimes on a flight I just want to sit down, put on my MP3 headset, read a book or work on my laptop, and be left alone.

However, when the cart's coming, I feel it would be impolite to just ignore the FA and waste their time trying to get my attention, so I stop what I'm doing until I can make eye contact and wave them off.

I wish there was some way (at least in F) to indicate "Do not disturb" (I have contemplated stealing a door hanger from a hotel and hanging it on my ear. I suspect this would not go over well)

You could just let the FA know ahead of time that you wish to be left alone. I don't see a problem with hanging the sign around your neck, though.

EXACTLY!

I have done this both ways: When I need to relax, sleep. work, etc., I just let the FA know I will be good for the flight and pass me by. On the otherside, when I am about to fall asleep but will want a drink or food later, I let them know if I am sleeping to please wake me. Either way, communicate first and problem solved.

Peace!

Absolutely agree with the above posters. I have had zero interruption when as boarding, I mention to the FA that no services are needed for "6A" or whichever seat it is. Never once have I been shaken... or stirred.

Don't want to be disturbed? Then let the FA know what seat you are in and just tell them: "Hi, I'm Philoj sitting in (insert seat here), I just want to relax in peace and request not to be disturbed today. Thank you"

Even though the FA may look at you funny, but at least you informed them that you just want to be left alone.

Another good indication is once you are airborne, put the blanket/duvet around you, with the seatbelt visible on the outside, put a eye mask on, and go to sleep....again, won't be disturbed.

Seem to recall one airline I've been on (JAL?) had stickers you could put on your shirt that said "do not wake me" or "do not disturb". Seems like a low cost option not to be bothered. Of course, if you roll on your side, no one can see the sticker.

If you don't feel like telling the FA, then wear an eye mask. It's never failed me in my 1+ million miles.

I'm not advocating theft or anything like that ... but you could perhaps "recycle" a Do Not Disturb sign from your favorite hotel. Heck, if you're a frequent guest, they might even give you one (albeit, with a rather bemused look) just for asking and explaining why you want it.

Alternatively, you could spend a few minutes on your favorite presentation or word-processing software and print a small sign to hang around your neck--for a few cents more, you could even laminate it and re-use it.

AA doesn't have to present you with every solution to your travel preferences--be creative.

cheers!

iberia asks you when the flight begins if you would like to be left alone and if so, they hand a DND sign on this hook in front of your seat...

personally, i think the eye mask is the best solution... it also gives your seat mates a good signal too!

Yeah, I've seen that on JAL. Cool idea.

A lot of folks seem to be suggesting an eye mask. How do you folks read or get work done with those on?

I've never been disturbed while sleeping. It's always amusing to wake up and find the packet of cookies or ramekin full of nuts politely left next to me. :-)

Here's an interesting collection of such stickers:
http://www.freewebs.com/dndcollector/airlines.htm

I saw stickers on Lufthansa. One was a variation on the "Wake me for meals" sticker in the above link. A portly colleague of mine put that one on his cubicle.

My daughter's bedroom door now has the Red Z sign from a room at Dylan Hotel in Dublin :) Yeah, bad.... but at least we didn't take the Dylan Ipod or the ugly Dylan phone from Bang and O.

Great discussion for TravelBuzz!

BTW, don't forget if you are going to slip the surly bonds of earth and knit up the raveled sleeve of care simultaneously, you should place the seatbelt outside of your blanket - or prepare to be awakened by the FA if turbulence is countered or expected.