What to do (if anything) about PAX using mobiles in flight?

[Mark1966]

I'm not sure if others have noticed this but I'm increasingly seeing other passengers using phones in flight.

I'm not talking playing games or streaming the Q-streaming - but constantly sending and receiving SMS messages. Most recently the other day the person sitting next to me had two phones going (a Canberra thing) from CBR to SYD pretty much non-stop.

Is it really a problem?

Do people say something?

Do you mention it to the passenger (they know what they are doing!) or talk to staff (hard on a short CBR-SYD hop)?

Thoughts people?

 

[Hvr]

See it quite often especially overseas. I reckon the FAs turn a blind eye if kept vaguely discreet.

 

[TonyHancock]

Most recently the other day the person sitting next to me had two phones going (a Canberra thing)

Indeed, one day they will realise that the brighter members of society have a fruit device, and Android device and a Ubuntu device. Although the terminally thick Canberra set probably won't.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm not talking playing games or streaming the Q-streaming - but constantly sending and receiving SMS messages. Most recently the other day the person sitting next to me had two phones going (a Canberra thing) from CBR to SYD pretty much non-stop.

Were they still receiving/in range on level flight? Not sure how high CBR-SYD flights go, but normally I see texters give up after a few minutes of take-off/climbing, when the signal drops out.

Is it really a problem?

One of our pilots opined a while back that at the margin - something like if there was a strong transmission signal (multiple devices) AND an emergency maybe involving dicey instruments - then yes, it could compromise their work.

But the bigger problem that I see is that its often very blatant and the FAs could not help but see it and yet do nothing. They have apparently decided that they don't need to enforce safety rules and regulations mandated by the authorities. I wonder what else they are turning a blind eye to ...

Do people say something?

Do you mention it to the passenger (they know what they are doing!) or talk to staff (hard on a short CBR-SYD hop)?

In the 'old days' when it was a phone on/phone off situation, and if they were close, I used to give a stern "Turn it OFF!" which usually worked, especially with the younger folk . These days, its not always clear whether the phone is actually in transmit mode or not (of course social media pings etc are a bit of a giveaway). I sometimes speak into my phone during flight, making voice notes and tap into the calendar etc. But if its blatant, yes, I will still tell them to turn the phone off - I wouldn't ask a FA, as they may not bother doing anything about it, and then I have just embarrassed both of us.

I reckon the FAs turn a blind eye if kept vaguely discreet.

I find they turn a blind eye even when blatant, especially overseas. I understand they don't want a 'situation', but it is a safety regulator's requirement.

 

[Mark1966]

Were they still receiving/in range on level flight? Not sure how high CBR-SYD flights go, but normally I see texters give up after a few minutes of take-off/climbing, when the signal drops out.

One of our pilots opined a while back that at the margin - something like if there was a strong transmission signal (multiple devices) AND an emergency maybe involving dicey instruments - then yes, it could compromise their work.

But the bigger problem that I see is that its often very blatant and the FAs could not help but see it and yet do nothing. They have apparently decided that they don't need to enforce safety rules and regulations mandated by the authorities. I wonder what else they are turning a blind eye to ...

In the 'old days' when it was a phone on/phone off situation, and if they were close, I used to give a stern "Turn it OFF!" which usually worked, especially with the younger folk . These days, its not always clear whether the phone is actually in transmit mode or not (of course social media pings etc are a bit of a giveaway). I sometimes speak into my phone during flight, making voice notes and tap into the calendar etc. But if its blatant, yes, I will still tell them to turn the phone off - I wouldn't ask a FA, as they may not bother doing anything about it, and then I have just embarrassed both of us.

I find they turn a blind eye even when blatant, especially overseas. I understand they don't want a 'situation', but it is a safety regulator's requirement.

Thanks mate.

Looking at the tracking for CBR - SYD they seem to get to around 6,000 metres above sea level. This was definitely a case of the phones being on - I could see the signal and connection at the top of the screen (and could have read the messages if I'd wanted - no attempt to be discreet).

Knowing the way CBR works sure as eggs if I said something they would be ticked off and I would bump into them professionally in the next week! We hold grudges well done here if you were not aware...