Passenger removed for using phone
#16
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OP, can you please clarify. Was that passenger speaking on the phone, or using his phone for another purpose such as texting, listening to music, etc...?
#17
Moderator: United Airlines
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I doubt there is any confusion about Airport Mode of smartphones. However, I suspect many of us have watched people continuing to text, scanning FB or perhaps continue listening to conference calls after the door has closed -- quietly slipping their phones out of sight as the FAs walk by. It is sort of interesting to watch adults act like 8-year-olds hiding a cookie.
Whether or not we agree or understand the reasons for the airplane mode only after the doors closed (and best for other forums to discuss), it is an FCC/FAA requirement and the FAs are bound to enforce the regs.
So in this case, it is impossible to comment on this particular situation without knowing what was said or what exactly the passenger was doing.
Whether or not we agree or understand the reasons for the airplane mode only after the doors closed (and best for other forums to discuss), it is an FCC/FAA requirement and the FAs are bound to enforce the regs.
So in this case, it is impossible to comment on this particular situation without knowing what was said or what exactly the passenger was doing.
#18
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
Most FAs do absolutely nothing to enforce airplane mode and they are not penalized for it. There is no incentive for any FA to enforce the reg other than twisted personal satisfaction from power tripping and ruining somebody's travel plans.
#19
Join Date: Nov 2014
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I've seen guys continue talking on their phone as we were taxiing and only put it away after the plane rotated. Happy to see the FA take some action in this case and hope it gets publicized more than Dao throwing a hissy fit.
#20
Moderator: United Airlines
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#21
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
The vast majority of FAs do not care at all. Thus, the minority that do are seen as power trippers.
#22
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Best I could tell, I was 2 rows up, he was talking, but said something like " everybody else has their phone on too ..."
#23
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I didn't know why I didn't share this in the first plan, but I had a similar experience in the past.
It was a SunExpress flight from Izmir to Istanbul SAW back in 2015.
After doors were closed and the safety demo was done, the crew came in for the final check.
I was texting on WhatsApp while the crew passed by, the crew asked me if my phone was on airplane mode. I said yes
Then he said, "Sir, you're on WhatsApp as I see" ( translation from Turkish ), I told him that I would switch to airplane mode immediately, then I have switched my phone on airplane mode and he continued the check on other passengers.
Boom, the cabin crew was completely right to kick that passenger out.
It was a SunExpress flight from Izmir to Istanbul SAW back in 2015.
After doors were closed and the safety demo was done, the crew came in for the final check.
I was texting on WhatsApp while the crew passed by, the crew asked me if my phone was on airplane mode. I said yes
Then he said, "Sir, you're on WhatsApp as I see" ( translation from Turkish ), I told him that I would switch to airplane mode immediately, then I have switched my phone on airplane mode and he continued the check on other passengers.
Boom, the cabin crew was completely right to kick that passenger out.
#24
Join Date: Sep 2013
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What happens in an emergency - this guy is the one who blocks the aisle getting his oversized duffle bag out cause he is speshul. If he can't seem to follow basic instructions then he can catch a greyhound, you can have your phone on gate to gate
#25
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 350
eh, he should have said no, got dragged off, and become a millionaire.
#27
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
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I personally am glad that this happened. It is a standard announcement. Don't like the rule? Then don't fly. Irrespective of whether you think the rule is valid.
I like how someone commented if you can't follow the simple rule of switch your phone to airplane mode then what happens when you are told to leave your carryon if you need to leave the plane in an emergency (I still get the chills when I think of the Aeroflot flight a couple of weeks ago where people at the front of the plane took their carryon off the plane while others burnt to death).
Flying is not mandatory but switching your phone to airplane mode when flying is - just do it. Kudos to the FA and pilot.
I like how someone commented if you can't follow the simple rule of switch your phone to airplane mode then what happens when you are told to leave your carryon if you need to leave the plane in an emergency (I still get the chills when I think of the Aeroflot flight a couple of weeks ago where people at the front of the plane took their carryon off the plane while others burnt to death).
Flying is not mandatory but switching your phone to airplane mode when flying is - just do it. Kudos to the FA and pilot.