Article: The Practicalities of Working on a Plane

[Mattg]

You mentioned sitting near babies on planes. Last year, I paid thousands of dollars to go business from Sydney to Dallas and during the night, there was a baby in the row behind me who cried all night. Nothing was done by the cabin crew. If I was in economy, I wouldn't mind so much because I wouldn't have paid a lot for the ticket, but in business, one has paid a lot to be able to lie down and sleep, but not with a crying baby behind me. I complained to the Qantas staff and was told that it is discrimination if babies weren't allowed in business class. What do others think?

I've also been on an overnight Qantas flight in J where I planned to sleep but couldn't because a baby across the aisle cried all night. The crew and parents were trying to calm the baby down, but nothing worked. Although I was tired and cranky the next day, I just had to accept that it's a risk you take when you're on public transport.

On future overnight flights I have avoided choosing a seat near the bulkhead, or used the JAL website trick to check if there are any infants seated nearby.

 

[Boeyn]

Agree with most of the comments here re space and prying eyes. On golden triangle routes, if I attempt to work on the plane at all - big if - it is generally only on morning flights, and never a laptop; I’ll either use my iPad with a Magic Keyboard, or just use the 90 minutes to try and clean my inbox out via my iPhone.

As for privacy, I am constantly amazed by what I see others open and read in full view of 6+ people in close proximity to them on a plane. If my data-points are anything to go by, the usual suspects are almost always investor relations people on an even-numbered QF40X to SYD for the day (and if you think the stuff they are reviewing to prepare for a day of meetings with IB analysts is always publicly available material, think again…).

 

[outthere1000]

You mentioned sitting near babies on planes. Last year, I paid thousands of dollars to go business from Sydney to Dallas and during the night, there was a baby in the row behind me who cried all night. Nothing was done by the cabin crew. If I was in economy, I wouldn't mind so much because I wouldn't have paid a lot for the ticket, but in business, one has paid a lot to be able to lie down and sleep, but not with a crying baby behind me. I complained to the Qantas staff and was told that it is discrimination if babies weren't allowed in business class. What do others think?

In my experience the worst children's behaviour is entirely due to the parents, and I blame them, not the children. The two worst experiences I've had, both in long-haul international J, were (1) twin toddler boys who shrieked and slapped their TV screens for hours while the parents just sat like suet puddings, and (2) a boy aged about eight or nine who never spoke softer than a shout, for the entire eight-hour journey (and even before, in the lounge), even though daddy was sitting right next to him (while mummy slept). Like you, I resent paying a huge amount of money (my own) only to spend the journey with selfish, entitled parents who make no effort to control their children.

 

[COC]

Agree with most of the comments here re space and prying eyes. On golden triangle routes, if I attempt to work on the plane at all - big if - it is generally only on morning flights, and never a laptop; I’ll either use my iPad with a Magic Keyboard, or just use the 90 minutes to try and clean my inbox out via my iPhone.

As for privacy, I am constantly amazed by what I see others open and read in full view of 6+ people in close proximity to them on a plane. If my data-points are anything to go by, the usual suspects are almost always investor relations people on an even-numbered QF40X to SYD for the day (and if you think the stuff they are reviewing to prepare for a day of meetings with IB analysts is always publicly available material, think again…).

Oh - have to agree some have no filter on their screen and details can be seen. Incredible details. Some with no shame.

 

[pauly7]

Oh - have to agree some have no filter on their screen and details can be seen. Incredible details. Some with no shame.

I know! I’ve had some absolutely incredible reads over the last couple of years in the great Covid bounce back and all the corporates are flying around again. Some amazing information ‘shared’

 

[SeatBackForward]

I know! I’ve had some absolutely incredible reads over the last couple of years in the great Covid bounce back and all the corporates are flying around again. Some amazing information ‘shared’

Would be interesting if any organisations had a "Fly only business" rule for exactly this reason, or conversely, an explicit "no working on flights" rule?

 

[Stealthflyer]

I find I can work on domestic flights, but not international. I think my brain equates international with holiday too well. There are also tasks better suited to plane brain: I can whip up a slide presentation no worries, but anything involving complex ideas and critical writing is a no. However, I’ve done some of my best work in airport lounges. Nothing like a looming deadline to get that conference paper written!

 

[Pele]

In Y there simply isnt enough room and, as noted, the much higher risk of wandering eyes seeing sensitive information.

Really the only justification for paying J is to work. Thats why its called 'business' class.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I've also been on an overnight Qantas flight in J where I planned to sleep but couldn't because a baby across the aisle cried all night. The crew and parents were trying to calm the baby down, but nothing worked. Although I was tired and cranky the next day, I just had to accept that it's a risk you take when you're on public transport.

On future overnight flights I have avoided choosing a seat near the bulkhead, or used the JAL website trick to check if there are any infants seated nearby.

I’m a little shocked that as a seasoned traveller you don’t always travel with ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones or ear buds?

 

[Mattg]

I’m a little shocked that as a seasoned traveller you don’t always travel with ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones or ear buds?

Oh, don't worry I had both earplugs and noise-cancelling headphones! Neither of them were a match for that particular screaming baby.

 

[themaiz]

I'm certain this isn't the issue, but its worth asking - it's not just slipping out is it? I know if you have a heavy power adapter that plugs directly into the power socket, these can be quite loose and not maintain a good connection. This issue becomes more obvious if the plane uses a universal plug and you try using a plug type that's not of that airlines origin, for example, using the UK adapter on US flights and its a snug fit.

Sorry I missed this - almost a year ago. The problem seems to be an incompatibility between the seat power and the Lenovo brick. The power shuts down as soon as the brick is plugged in, EVEN if there is nothing attached at the other end. I work in electronics, and that's not how switch mode power supplies work.. they draw almost nothing if there's no load. Something weird is going on at the seat power supply, which is shutting down to protect the plane and the seat. There are one or two planes that aren't affected - some of the airbusses, but not all. All the 737s. I have another VERY slow way to to charge the laptop (big, hungry) but it's not a good situation on long-haul. I've tried four completely different Lenovo bricks, and they all do it. What I really don't understand: why can't I find other people complaining online?

 

[themaiz]

Would be interesting if any organisations had a "Fly only business" rule for exactly this reason, or conversely, an explicit "no working on flights" rule?

Many companies have completely pulled back from Business class on long haul for "cost reasons". I suspect if you analyse: occasional work flyers who have been dispossessed from J opportunity will react by downing tools for the flight, while regular flyers will continue to work even in Y and make the best of it.

 

[pauly7]

I like working on planes, I tend to get a lot done - when in the right setting - and in Economy is not this. @Matt Graham already discusses the table and privacy issues, but I'd also add its about shoulder space. If I'm using a laptop, I need to type or use the mousepad, and this means moving my elbows around and if someone is next two you this becomes very difficult. So generally in economy, work doesn't happen. Now If i have an empty seat next to me, that's like hitting Jackpot - business space for economy pricing!

Business is obviously much more suited to getting work done, well outside the periods that they're serving meals, which lets face it in Business can be quite extended, not that it's necessarily a bad thing, but in the context of getting work done, can be disruptive.

Aside from having the headphones as @Matt Graham also covers, I use a bluetooth adapter so there's no extra cords getting in the way. Inevitably you'll have the power cord for the laptop - even more so as more airlines will ban the use of powerbanks. But one less cord from the headphones is a good thing. And now I've moved to having all my devices USB-C powered, so a single adapter covers all my needs.

But regarding headphones I always try to use headphones/earbuds that have multi-device connectivity. That way I can listen to music through my laptop while working, but then switch to the Bluetooth adapter and use the seatback entertainment system when the laptop is closed up for meals etc.

I'm not too concerned about privacy, Luckily the nature of what I do gives me that freedom, andif anyone is able to figure out the things I'm doing - I welcome their resume

Which Bluetooth adaptor do you use, my company provided one (Alpine?) is pretty average, this time I will get my own and charge it back!