Irritations #1: pax using a PED when on finals

Am I just a grumpy old man?

Today (although I've seen it before), I asked a pax sitting across the aisle from me to refrain from using his cell phone to write messages while we were on finals. He said it was on flight mode, so I reminded him that all electronic devices should be switched off as per the verbal announcement two minutes earlier.

What is wrong with people? I can only imagine that some people think these announcements refer to them.

Or am I just grumpy?

H

Am I just a grumpy old man?

.

If I agree with you then I must be too.[:D] It would appear the passing of the years affects ones ability not to think like a certain Mr Meldrew! I will be turning forty later in the year and I too have noticed a streak of grumpiness creeping in [:0].

The number of times I have sat next to someone who conveniently doesn't turn off their Ipod after the announcement to do so - and then only do when, and if, challenged by the cc. Although I have to wonder if these things are really dangerous to the instruments they would surely be prohibited aboard an aircraft.

It amazes me how so many people believe the announcements don't apply to them.

[preiffer]

Fully agree Howard, and I've done the same to people a few times now.

(Indeed, most times getting the 'it's ok - it's not ON' response. So, if it's not on, you're typing into a blank screen??? [ii])

[fozzyo]

I've always assumed things like iPods etc is more about not being distracted in the case of an emergency where you need to be doing what crew are telling you when they tell you.

I think all too often people in Business and above often think these announcements don't apply to them, only the Economy passengers. FSM did an announcement once about remaining seated until seatbelt blah blah just after landing followed by 'that means all passengers, including the gentlemen standing up in Upper Class.'

[Bazz]

Not grumpy Howard, this is so common these days and the attitude of some pax when challenged leaves a lot to be desired.

No Howard, you're not grumpy. The crew give a [safety related] instruction for a reason, so it's not unreasonable to ask a pax to follow the instruction.

I agree that some Business travellers seem to think that any announcement only applies to the once-a-year traveller. I will never forget UK immigration at MAN where a gentleman was being quite rude to the Immigration Officer. He was on his mobile phone (despite all the 'No mobile phones in this area' signs) and was basically telling the immigration officer that it was OK for him to be on the phone as it was an incoming call. Bet he would not have risked that attitude had he been at US immigration.

Last summer we flew to MCO in PE and neither myself or the other half heard an announcement about turning off PEDs on final.

As the CC came round to check bags were stowed etc, I suggested to the other half that she should turn it off and the CC commented that as long as it was on quiet enough that the other half could hear the announcements then she could leave it on.

On the return from IAD the announcement was very clear that it included all iPods etc and my other half therefore put it down to 'a different type of plane'!

What should she now think when we go to MCO this year? Like a lot of things, problems are caused by a lack of consistency.

Originally posted by Moley
Last summer we flew to MCO in PE and neither myself or the other half heard an announcement about turning off PEDs on final.

As the CC came round to check bags were stowed etc, I suggested to the other half that she should turn it off and the CC commented that as long as it was on quiet enough that the other half could hear the announcements then she could leave it on.

On the return from IAD the announcement was very clear that it included all iPods etc and my other half therefore put it down to 'a different type of plane'!

What should she now think when we go to MCO this year? Like a lot of things, problems are caused by a lack of consistency.

Like Fozzyo I think for iPods and similar non transmitting devices it's more to do with being able to fully hear any instructions that might have be given by the crew than anything to do with the aircraft. It's for that reason I take mine off whether asked to do so or no. That said, I've yet to see them come round and poke with a pointy stick those who slumber during the final descent (yours truly included).

Paul

I felt pretty uncool doing it but I did ask a woman in front of me to remove her very large and full, and open, handbag from the space between her seat and the window before takeoff, because one heavy jolt and I would have been pelted with lord knows what. The FA's hadn't seen it because they couldn't, so not their fault.

I was actually busted for this a couple of years ago as we were approaching Vegas. I was flying Southwest, and the annoucement came over to turn everything off, but for some reason it just didn't register in my tiny brain that the camera I was using also needed to be turned off. Sitting directly in front of the flight attendant didn't help. She kept the intercom on so that everyone heard the following:

FA: That also means you, Sir, with the camera
Me:
FA: Yes, you Sir, with the camera
Me:
FA: Yes, that is a camera you are holding. Does it have an off switch?
Me:
FA: It is time to turn it off.
Me:
FA: There's a good boy!

I might add that the conversation was very humorous, even though it might read as being confrontational. Southwest encourage their employees to have fun as much as possible, and this was a great example of passengers and crew enjoying the flight.

Originally posted by Moley
As the CC came round to check bags were stowed etc, I suggested to the other half that she should turn it off and the CC commented that as long as it was on quiet enough that the other half could hear the announcements then she could leave it on.

There is a real issue with standards and enforcement of those across airlines that creates enough of a window for many people to push the boundaries of these rules. I observe on many Middle Eastern and Eastern airlines, that CC simply don't have the authority to instruct some passengers and don't bother, witness therefore people standing to get something out of their bags when taxiing, using PDAs etc when announcement say otherwise. VS, in my experience is one of the most stringent.

[mcmbenjamin]

Yes it is the rule but that is a four letter word. They do not have Facebook or AIM onboard let alone e-mail or text. That is hard. I gotta know all the gossip. I do turn on my device so it can download the latest.

Without arguing the pros and cons of different policies, inconsistencies between airlines do make things difficult: when JetBlue allows headphones in, allows iPod use and keeps live TV on for taxi, take-off and landing, there are bound to be people who are unsure as to why some other airline won't allow any equipment to be used at this stage. One has to wonder whether there should be some consistent CAA/FAA/ICAO rule on this.

[mcmbenjamin]

NDBs are gone. This rule is pointless.