VA Electronic Device Policy

[ftm]

Having flown on VA a few times recently, it would appear that their policy on electronic devices is more generous than on QF. Is that other's experience?

Specifically, I've seen pax using their VA provided Galaxy Tab right through landing; pax using mobiles when walking accross the tarmac in Hobart and a generally more 'flexible' enforcement of what I thought was generally common policies between the two airlines.

Have others found the same? Is VA's policy actually more generous than QF's and if VA can why can't QF?!

 

[medhead]

Their official policy is the same. IMO what you're observing is the unofficial staff policy to not confront passengers over such things.

 

[RooFlyer]

There official policy is the same. IMO what you're observing is the unofficial staff policy to not confront passengers over such things.

Which leads me to ask myself - "What other unofficial staff policies are in place where they ignore mandated safety issues?".

 

[strance]

in my experience you get about 15 minutes more usage of devices on VA as they do the devices off announcement closer to gear down, whereas on QF it pretty much happens as soon as the flight deck ask for the cabin to be prepared for landing. makes a huge difference to have that extra bit of time with your own tunes, IMO.

 

[smit0847]

VA are trying to attract more business passengers. Business passengers like using electronic devices. Therefore VA allow them to use them for as long as possible.

In my experience having been WP for only 2 weeks, they don't like saying no to their high status pax......

 

[lovestotravel]

So VA crew are scared to enforce the rules ?

Sounds legit

 

[medhead]

in my experience you get about 15 minutes more usage of devices on VA as they do the devices off announcement closer to gear down, whereas on QF it pretty much happens as soon as the flight deck ask for the cabin to be prepared for landing. makes a huge difference to have that extra bit of time with your own tunes, IMO.

IME they both do it when preparing the cabin to land, well into the descent. The difference with qantas is I can then switch over to the qantas tunes.

 

[medhead]

So VA crew are scared to enforce the rules ?

Sounds legit

That's what they have told me on a couple of occasions when I have mentioned people not turning off devices too them. "Didn't want to confront them". Another occasion I asked if I could start using my iPad sometime after we'd taken off (level flight), with the crew moving around and the seat belt sign still on from before take off. Also the person in the seat opposite was tapping away on their computer. The answer was no you can't. I just stared at the other passenger and said really. Crew member looked at other passenger, replied "yes really" and walked off to the rear of the aircraft. Walked back a few minutes later, talked on the phone at the front, then the seat belt sign went off.

If not scared then why wasn't that other passenger told.

In my experience having been WP for only 2 weeks, they don't like saying no to their high status pax......

In light of my experiences I can only say BS.

 

[ftm]

Hmmm... so its just a case of VA turning a blind eye to their own policy.

<< insert lengthy debate about what the policy should be here >>

 

[BoyZeus]

walking accross the tarmac in Hobart

You wouldn't even see tech or ground crew do this, especially if refuelling is underway.

Sloppy ground handling staff (Aerocare/Blue Collar????) seem to be running the show.