Use of mobile phones whilst inflight.

[jetlagger]

Just a probe for feedback from some of the more regular flight travellers.
I was on a flight earlier today when a passenger seated directly behind me was using his mobile to make a call as the airplane was on landing approach.
Evidently the call lasted for several minutes & I did give mentioning to the passenger that it is illegal to talk on the mobile inflight particularly when the airplane was on final approach.
I was quite startled by his uncaring reaction & did mention the incident to the Captain & Flight Attendants as I was exiting.
They were very concerned & firstly asked me who was/is the culprit & asked me did I say anything to him.
I'm not sure about the reprimand toward the passenger, though I did see that they were waiting to talk with him as I deplaned.

So, the question is: Has anyone experienced similar blatant mobile phone use inflight & what was/is/would be your reaction?

 

[samh004]

Such a question and viewpoints are expressed here every so often. Can be a bit heated, as some members like to take action and really point out the offender, while others not so much. For me, I wouldn't say anything unless it was bothering me - as in they were noisy or disturbing me in such a way. I've received a FaceTime call from someone on the runway before

 

[jetlagger]

Such a question and viewpoints are expressed here every so often. Can be a bit heated, as some members like to take action and really point out the offender, while others not so much. For me, I wouldn't say anything unless it was bothering me.

At the time.. It was a bother.. loud & arrogant.. LOTFAP.. :shock:

 

[RooFlyer]

Seen it quite a few times in the US, but not here - making a call, that is. People having their phones and iThings on while taking off and landing I see all the time in Oz and elsewhere. The iThings especially - people seem to think that making the screen go blank is 'off'.

A year ago I was sitting next to a paxing uniformed Virgin FA who was happily watching something on his phone during taxi and take-off. He dropped it to his lap when a FX walked past during taxi.

 

[Happy Dude]

A few weeks ago on the descent into BNE from Roma, the guy across the isle from me was sending/receiving txts. I could hear it buzzing. He even had the phone up in the air when sending/receiving, presumably to get a better reception. He was a big mof_, truck driver-esque - complete with short stubbies and thongs despite the chill, so I wasn't game to say anything directly. I tried to read the logo on his fluoro so I could email that company, but it was illegible. I had to smile at the largely symbolic and somewhat ironic slogan also on the fluoro espousing SAFETY FIRST! I wish I had said something to the cabin crew upon departure.

 

[Timba-Jet]

2 weeks ago on a VA MEL-SYD flight, the man next too me was openly checking emails and messages on his iPhone on take-off. Could not tell if he had switched if too flight mode, my guess would be not, and simply blanked the screen when FA did their pre take off check.

Was not going to say anything but this DYKWIA idiot needed to be put in his place. I asked him 'is that more important than my life' pointing to his phone, he was confused so I repeated 'is that more important than my life'. He understood and said something like 'it makes no difference'. My response was, as low as the risk may be, 'I rather not have my safety put at risk by your selfishness'. He put he phone away after that.

Though likely numerous other folks onboard had there phoned in too.

 

[opusman]

I've decided to stop worrying about it, it clearly happens all the time (my hit rate on domestic flights this year is about 75% for seeing someone doing the "wrong" thing) and people like that, who believe they're so important that the rules don't apply to them, are unlikely to be put off by anything I might say to them.

I figure if it does make us crash, c'est la vie.

 

[markis10]

I am still having a chuckle at the DYKWIA Electronics Engineer who got annoyed at being told to switch off and decided he knew better. He didn't have to do much research to discover there were good reasons behind the requirement . It was on the radio so I imagine it must have originally surfaced in the press.

 

[Ausbt]

Blonde woman circa 35 y.o. on a SYD-OOL earlier this week, seat 3D. She started her call while we were mid-taxi to our runway for take-off. She finished the call before they lit up the throttles but then she kept texting until I'd say about 1 minute after we were up, and presumably then lost her signal. I just couldn't help myself, I wanted badly to ignore it all and I feel slack doing it but I wandered back and advised the crew "for the sake of my personal safety please stop that woman from lighting up that phone on descent". They gave her a lecture. Truthfully, I don't think it makes a scrap of difference - I'm just jealous I don't have the gall to do the same! :evil:

 

[JohnK]

I'm not sure about the reprimand toward the passenger, though I did see that they were waiting to talk with him as I deplaned.

So, the question is: Has anyone experienced similar blatant mobile phone use inflight & what was/is/would be your reaction?

It annoys me. I cannot ignore it. I have told the crew before and I will not hesitate to do so again.

I really do not like the attitude of some on AFF who think it does not matter and people should be able to do anything they feel like whenever they feel like doing it without any regards for others around them.

 

[opusman]

I really do not like the attitude of some on AFF who think it does not matter and people should be able to do anything they feel like whenever they feel like doing it without any regards for others around them.

That sort of attitude is hardly restricted to AFF!

 

[JohnK]

That sort of attitude is hardly restricted to AFF!

The few people I know outside of AFF do not have that type of attitude.

 

[mannej]

The few people I know outside of AFF do not have that type of attitude.

Doesn't mean that the behaviour is limited to AFF...

 

[JohnK]

Doesn't mean that the behaviour is limited to AFF...

I understand your point but I have not experienced it outside of AFF.

Either way makes no difference as that type of attitude in my opinion is wrong.

 

[mannej]

I understand your point but I have not experienced it outside of AFF.

Either way makes no difference as that type of attitude in my opinion is wrong.

No arguments there. In all subsets of life you are going to find those who don't respect direction from many forms of authority due to their own reasons

 

[ALH]

Saw numerous iPhones being used to take photos while we were walking across the tarmac to board Jetstar flight from Auckland to Queenstown. Saw at least 7 passengers around me using Facebook and texting while waiting for doors to be closed and continued well after blast off. Mentioned it later to FA and she made me feel like a foolish kid telling tales. She said they only really care about it during take off and landing!?!?? Then why ask passengers not to use their mobile phones while walking across the Tarmac and while the plane is being refuelled? Also departing Karachi, every passenger around me continued to talk on their mobiles during taxiing and blast off.