On / OFF switch!
 

Does anyone have an experience with not being allowed to use BOSE headsets during takeoff and landing? On a recent flight between SFO and DEN I was advised to turnoff my headset by a FA who advised “I was very clear in my instructions, all devices with an on / off switch need to be in the OFF position”. Very embarrassing sitting in first, I also noticed some others who overheard the instructions and quickly removed theirs before being confronted.

I was given the lecture about turning mine off once.

Talk about unclear on the concept http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

Those Bose won't do squat that affects the avionics. Not that most other stuff you have will either.

I have had mixed results. Most FAs don't ask, but sometimes they do.

I guess she never heard of asking nicely.

hint- put your finger over the light and they'll never know it's on! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Only once was I asked to turn off my Sony ear-bud noise cancelling headphones (I wear the controller on my shirt so the little light was on). And she was nice about it.

Why would you push it? If there is any question, just turn it off for the few minutes, and then turn them on again.

Some airlines don't allow them at all during the flight.

(a speck of black tape or paint over the let makes them permanatly off by the way)

Try responding thusly:

"Then we got a problem. Because, baby, I can feel the electricity between you and me and I am turned on! How about you flip my switch before takeoff?"

Just better hope you don't end up "grounded". http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Well all of that is better than on Horizon, where the FA told me that the headset, already turned off, hanging around my neck, was a hazardous condition and it needed to be stowed prior to landing. As to avoid being a threat to national security, I refrained from the query of how, as sitting in row 1, wouldn't standing up to access the overhead bin (as I had no seat in front of me) be even more dangerous? I also refrained from the query of how airlines that have IFE that let you use the headset until arrival at the gate do not have this safety issue. I simply complied with her request and gave her a look... well, if looks could kill, she wouldn't be dead, but perhaps in a mental institution.

I have had this problem numerous times, although it seems to be mostly on United Express flights. One time after we landed, I went into the cockpit and talked to the pilots about this. The flight was on an A320 and the pilots themselves were using noise cancelling headsets (although not Bose). The co-piolt proceeded to look thru a large FAA manual for anything that states these need to be off. He found nothing.

I understand that headphones are to be removed on take-off and landing so instructions from crew members can be clearly heard in the event of an emergency.

Removing headphones placed around your neck prior to landing appears to be a personal security issue. Perhaps you could be strangled trying to evacuate the plane in a hurry?

Securing the cabin prior to take-off and landing (tray tables up, seats locked, no electronics, etc) is for the passengers security. Obviously, there are some FAs who have control fetishes and enforce the rules with an unnatural zealousness [sp].

[This message has been edited by sxf24 (edited 10-21-2003).]

No headphones for takeoff and landing??? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif

Don't they say, when arriving, "our audio will continue until we are at the gate..."

I've never been personally instructed to take off normal headsets (i.e. the free ones) for take off or landing.

1.
I always use nose cancelling headhones when flying myself. Bose and others make NC heaphones specifically for pilots, so I doubt they can cause interference with airplane electronics. Therefore, I do not see why I should not use them as a passenger.

2.
Some airlines (e.g. LH first class) have a noise cancelling system built into the armrest and the headsets are not collected and can be used until deboarding. ANother argument that is is fine to use the electronics and the headphones themselves during the entire flight!

In my experience (on DL, LH, AF, BA and others) is that using my NC headphones during take off and landing was never a problem.