'Smoker' detained on Emirates flight

[legroom]

I was on an A380 last year where someone had a smoke. They didn't know who it was but were obviously pi**ed of judging by the tone and threats of the PA warning.

I don't understand why people don't just take nicotine replacements on the flight.

Did you remember which airline and port of departure ?

Thanks

 

[DrA]

I was on an A380 last year where someone had a smoke. They didn't know who it was but were obviously pi**ed of judging by the tone and threats of the PA warning.

I don't understand why people don't just take nicotine replacements on the flight.

My parents are the worst chain smokers around, and even they resort to the nicotine patches and gum for flying. They hate it, but they accept that they're the rules. And they also try to avoid really long haul sectors (I help them with trip planning most of the time) and break the trip up into shorter segments so they can get off the plane and have a cigarette as often as they can. As a non-smoker, I think it's a bit ridiculous, but it works for them.

I've been on a CX flight LHR-HKG where they had to make an announcement about smoking on board. And was once on a Mongolian Airlines flight from UB to Russia and the toilet on board reeked of cigarette smoke. Could have been from the previous flight, but clearly someone was guilty.

 

[Mal]

Yep, I've been on a flight where a smoker set off the lav alarms. They didn't catch them though. Nice stern warning was made over the PA.

 

[defurax]

I flew on SB to NOU and they also mentioned during pre-flight announcements that it is forbidden to use electronic cigarette in the lavatory. They reminded everyone not to smoke right after take off. I guess some airlines have more problems with smokers...it's only a 3 hours flight!

 

[TomVexille]

I overheard a woman at LAS a couple years ago who was saying she refuses to connect in airports other than ATL because you can smoke in the terminal there.

 

[LAH]

I was on Iberia a couple of years ago (2011), a long flight. As crew buckled up for landing, I smelled cigarette smoke. I was in business class, which was practically empty. Looked to the other side and saw that someone had lit up a cigarette. He smoked right up until we actually landed. Nothing was said to him! i was quite flabbergasted!

 

[legroom]

I was on Iberia a couple of years ago (2011), a long flight. As crew buckled up for landing, I smelled cigarette smoke. I was in business class, which was practically empty. Looked to the other side and saw that someone had lit up a cigarette. He smoked right up until we actually landed. Nothing was said to him! i was quite flabbergasted!

And you didn't protest to anyone ???

 

[anat0l]

I was on Iberia a couple of years ago (2011), a long flight. As crew buckled up for landing, I smelled cigarette smoke. I was in business class, which was practically empty. Looked to the other side and saw that someone had lit up a cigarette. He smoked right up until we actually landed. Nothing was said to him! i was quite flabbergasted!

I guess he thought no one was really going to stop him (i.e. get up out of their seat and tell him to stop, and even if they were going to "tell" him that doesn't mean he has to stop), and no one of course (even yourself) wants to be the stool pigeon, so that was that.

If this was a flight landing in Spain, I'd say the courts or police couldn't be buggered (so to speak) to take up such a case anyway. Whether that changes your opinion of flying IB is another thing, but I'm sure the upper management couldn't care less either (I'm not talking about WW here).

 

[LAH]

And you didn't protest to anyone ???

Well, all were buckled in so I couldn't call the attendant. After many, many hours, all I wanted to do was be first off the plane once the seatbelt signs were off!

 

[LAH]

I guess he thought no one was really going to stop him (i.e. get up out of their seat and tell him to stop, and even if they were going to "tell" him that doesn't mean he has to stop), and no one of course (even yourself) wants to be the stool pigeon, so that was that.

If this was a flight landing in Spain, I'd say the courts or police couldn't be buggered (so to speak) to take up such a case anyway. Whether that changes your opinion of flying IB is another thing, but I'm sure the upper management couldn't care less either (I'm not talking about WW here).

We were landing from Madrid into Havana, Cuba. It wasn't about not being a 'stool pigeon' but the fasten seat belt signs were on due to landing, so what was I to do? Had it been during the flight with hours to go, I would have said something for sure! I had travelled sin/lhr/mad/hav, and all I wanted to do was get off the flight at my destination. But yes, you are completely right, who was going to do something? I couldn't see the crew, but surely they were aware of the odour! If they weren't interested at this point in time, frankly, neither was I. Just relating the story.

 

[anat0l]

We were landing from Madrid into Havana, Cuba. It wasn't about not being a 'stool pigeon' but the fasten seat belt signs were on due to landing, so what was I to do? Had it been during the flight with hours to go, I would have said something for sure! I had travelled sin/lhr/mad/hav, and all I wanted to do was get off the flight at my destination. But yes, you are completely right, who was going to do something? I couldn't see the crew, but surely they were aware of the odour! If they weren't interested at this point in time, frankly, neither was I. Just relating the story.

Well, I guess you could've just yelled across the cabin, "Stop smoking at put that out!" Maybe said it in Spanish if you knew so.

Not trying to be the sentencing judge here; just saying. Maybe more unfortunate in all is that despite the story of itself, there may have also been nothing that could have or would have been done. (What might have been done? Maybe the smoker would have been detained once the aircraft was stable and crew could act; others would vouch as witnesses. They could "detain" the cabin until someone 'fessed up - landing in Havana (not USA or Australia) the crew could very much do that if they wanted to.)

Had this same incident happened on Qantas, Virgin Australia, Emirates, Lufthansa.... maybe the reaction (albeit delayed) might have been different. Don't know...

 

[legroom]

Well, all were buckled in so I couldn't call the attendant. After many, many hours, all I wanted to do was be first off the plane once the seatbelt signs were off!

I am physically uncomfortable with cigarette smoke (headache and nausea) so being in a confined space with cigarette odour, I would have to register a protest with the FAs.

Even so, I would ask to be moved to Y (yes, downgrade to Y) if there is no smoke there.

The discomfort in Y would be preferable to putting up with cigarette smoke in J - my personal choice here, you might disagree.

 

[LAH]

I am physically uncomfortable with cigarette smoke (headache and nausea) so being in a confined space with cigarette odour, I would have to register a protest with the FAs.

Even so, I would ask to be moved to Y (yes, downgrade to Y) if there is no smoke there.

The discomfort in Y would be preferable to putting up with cigarette smoke in J - my personal choice here, you might disagree.

Completely agree with you : that is what I would have done had we not been about to land and I knew that I was going to be off the aircraft. In response to the comment about reporting to the fa's. I could see the fa's and tried to grab their attention. On the other side of the aircraft were seated 2 more fa's who should have been able to smell the smoke, and see the smoker. They did nothing, so all I wanted to do was get off the aircraft as soon as we landed. If it happens again, yes, I will say something in whatever 'language' I can muster!

 

[JohnK]

Coming from an ex-smoker of 25 years that is stupidity.

A friend took then business partner to China about 5 years ago. On the return Qantas flight HKG-SYD there were issues inflight about someone smoking in the lavatories. It was my friends business partner and he was extremely lucky not to get charged as they could not prove he was the one that smoked inflight.

 

[markis10]

Just got off a VA777 where someone tried to smoke in the lav, unbelievable!

 

[legroom]

Just got off a VA777 where someone tried to smoke in the lav, unbelievable!

Did the alarm go off or you could smell it only ?

Annoying !

 

[markis10]

Did the alarm go off or you could smell it only ?

Annoying !

no alarm but the smoker and the toilet stank! I let the crew know discretely, needless to say his next visit to the bathroom saw crew keeping a very close eye and a full inspection once he vacated.

 

[davidj]

Since when is it okay bringing a lighter on carry-on? Might as well bring on other liquid explosives where you're at it?

"Sir, are you carrying any lithium batteries today"... "no miss, but don't worry about the 5 pack of lighters and lighter fluid I'm taking onboard"

Can someone confirm this craziness?

 

[Happy Trails]

Since when is it okay bringing a lighter on carry-on? Might as well bring on other liquid explosives where you're at it?

"Sir, are you carrying any lithium batteries today"... "no miss, but don't worry about the 5 pack of lighters and lighter fluid I'm taking onboard"

Can someone confirm this craziness?

This is what Qantas says and AFAIK most (all?) other airlines have similar rules:

Smokers are permitted to carry Safety matches (one small packet) or a cigarette lighter. These are only permitted to be carried in your pocket (not in your carry-on or checked baggage). Passengers are reminded that smoking in the aircraft at any time is strictly prohibited.

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/dangerous-goods/global/en

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Since when is it okay bringing a lighter on carry-on?

since the beginning of time