ethan76

Bowgie

Just as a point of reference, in dozens of Delta flights none of the FA's care one bit whether my iPhone is plugged in during take-off.
(The power ports often don't work at all, but that is another matter.)

Then I fly two long-haul round trips on China Eastern, and find that they are trained to rigorously follow all safety rules, including "no charging on take off".

tmiw

Apparently head injuries are a possible concern too: https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2015/0...f-and-landing/

I wonder if better positioning of the outlets would help with this and tripping hazards (i.e. not close to the floor or in the seat back). If that's even possible, that is.

Weekend Away

Meh. I'd rather increase the chance of my death than me inconvenienced during taxi, takeoff, and landing.

But if the chance of a personal device flying around during an emergency is so high, shouldn't that put off UA/AA from removing seatback entertainment in new planes? Removing it and requiring passengers to use personal devices is asking for more problems during a crash landing. (Not that crash landings even happen in the U.S. enough for this to matter, but still)

username

That is my observation too but I think the downward slide has been going on for years....

I am not sure if you are being sarcastic.

Their safety rules allow only smaller handheld devices during taxiing, takeoff and landing. The problem is what exactly is "handheld". I certainly don't want to be hit by a flying iPad Pro with keyboard during a crash.

Until we have a terrible incident where these things cause major injuries and deaths, nothing is going to change.

seanp7

Yep! Since April 1, 2018. Any headphones, can also be connected to your iPad / phone, etc.

Catbert10

I have a rather lightweight two-prong iGo adapter for my Lenovo. I have trouble getting it to stay in the plug on a lot of my UA flights, which is why I always carry my US-UK adapter. The weight and bulk of my iGo adapter + US-UK adapter takes up less space in my bag than a larger, 3 prong adapter. Totally agree that the bulk in the plug is a more with the US-UK adapter, though. I try to sit at the window, so it only affects me and I can usually squeeze by it. It's been a while since I was in anything with less legroom than E+.

cur

the chinese aviation industry is extra when it comes to safety. nothing in your seat pocket while in exit row, nothing underneath the seat while in exit row, everything unplugged. i read somewhere atc even spaces planes out on approach twice the distance of other aviation systems around the world. and you know what? the chinese aviation sector is one of the safest, and unarguably safer than it was 10, 20, 30 years ago. so that is what it is.

3Cforme

In fact I was on a Delta flight a couple of days ago where the FA made we exit row passengers unplug buds from the seatback screens and plug them into the armrest - to eliminate a tripping hazard.

dkc715

The reason given to me by several different UA flight crews (including once from a pilot) is that during takeoff and landing power surges are more likely when the engine thrust is rapidly changing. I assume this means any devices that are plugged during takeoff or landing are more vulnerable to being damaged. Reading between the lines, I suspect UA is worried about anything that could contribute to an exploding battery. With this in mind, I always unplug even though you would think surge protections are built into both the outlets and phones.

As to flight crews enforcing the rule, my experience is different than others. On half of my flights I hear a flight attendant telling someone to unplug a cell phone.

Any pilots on this thread to end this speculation?

WineCountryUA

While the crew members may have believed that, in a well designed, modern power (last 30+ years) distribution system, that should be of no concern. There are simple ways to prevent such an issue.

rmadisonwi

Contrast that with an Air China flight I flew KTM-LXA a couple of years ago, where they played the safety video with no sound, and passengers still in the aisles dealing with luggage. If I hadn't looked up and noticed the video screens showing a cartoon panda, I wouldn't have even known they were doing a safety demo.

Wise-Broccoli8301

I fly CA regularly and I can guarantee you that was probably an exception. The cartoon panda I'm very familiar with as well as the BS security officer announcement "I am the security team leader of this flight. In accordance to the regulations... blah blah"

Zorak

Could that be particular to the exit row though? Not that I doubt you, just that I don't recall ever being asked to unplug on a DL flight, certainly not as a loudspeaker announcement to the entire plane.

username

To me, regardless of the rules, keeping the cabin tidy and window shades open during takeoff/landing is just good practice. It is like wearing seatbelts in cars before they became mandatory. You do it because it can help you and those around you in case of any problems.