Angry iPhone Flyer Detained For Watching Crap October 21, 2007

We have to remember that though our phones have 'AirMode' none of the airlines signed up to the concept.

To be frank a number of airlines go out of their way to brief their trolleyDollies to stop all 'AirSafe' media players (remember the BA banning GameBoy's) as they detract from trying to push the airlines entertainment systems.

When your using a system that detracts (shows how bad) the airlines own entertainment system is you will be as welcome as a fart in a space suit.

Also the TrolleyDollies love to throw their weight round - after they proved so woeful during 9/11!

This is gonna be good after reading your earlier topic that mobiles will soon be able to be used on airplanes.

I am going to use my cells offline-mode also in the future. What airlines I should try to avoid?

err hang on a minute ... if none of the airlines signed up the "flight mode" option then why when they are doing the saftey talk they say "any device which has a flight safe mode should have this feature enabled now" This is a case of a jobs worth trolley dolly and I personally would have stood my ground.

Actually is there a follow-up to this, I mean did he get an apology. If I had been sent to the cops I would have explained the situation - perfectly legal, demaned an apology and then never flown with the airline again !

Nige

This is so out of line. Phones of this nature, especially the iphone, have gone through rigorous development and been throughly scrutinized in order to meet the demands and standards of flight safety regulations so people such as Casey in the example above can use his iphone as it were intended. As monkeyleader stated above, airlines have subscribed to phones in 'flight mode' as i have also been on many a flight where they request phones to be switched to said setting before take off. clearly the altitude was affecting this hostess as not only was she wrong but to take it as far as getting the police involved...she needs putting in safe mode. I hope Casey gets an apology.

Both of you guys are jumping to the assumption that the flight safety commentary on this airline includes the "...please ensure that your cell phone is set in the Flightsafe mode..."!

Not all airlines do this. BA, Virgin and other international carriers do not allow Flightsafe - I sat on a Virgin to NY last week and they made a point to say - no proscribed electrical equipment (in the safety flyer) to be used including phones with a Flightsafe feature! When questioned the Steward got all huffy and said that it was airline policy to not allow US electronic communication in operation during a flight!

Oh and if you try and stand your ground on a flight you can be arrested for "impeding Flight Staff from doing their job" (your word against them! goodluck!!)

Here's the full story:

http://consumerist.com/consumer/travel/ata-tries-to-have-you-arrested-for-using-your-iphone-in-airplane-mode-309421.php

James is correct.
Each country has a different version of the FFA and each airline has a different set of rules regarding gadgets.
I fly for an American carrier and we allow the use of phones as long as the wireless and phone bits are turned off.
Also keep in mind that you are under Federal Regulations when you are in the air. Meaning that the Flight Attendant is the authority in federal (not local or state) law on the airplane, and yes, he/she can make sure that the police/military repersenatives meet you at your destination or wherever the closest airport is to you point of a brawl. Yes, I have had passengrs left in countries that were not their destination for physical abuse.

Most Flight Attendants work 10-14 hour days, and can be scheduled for up to 16 hours. So if we get plastic smiles by 5 in the afternoon, it is because we were up at 5 a.m. after a 10 hour layover and another 14 hour day before that.
Be nice to us, we work longer hours than most people and our job requires us to do unpopular things for your safety and smile.
We don't make the rules, we just enforce them.
Bitch at the executives that run the airlines and make your voice heard.

Hey, I wouldn't be happy sitting next to anyone using mobiles on a 'plane, despite any protestations they might make about having bits disconnected. Turn the bloody things off, and just let us all get from A to B without all the bitching. Can't all of you who are addicted to their gizmos just get over it and treat the rest of the passengers with a little respect?

I really don't see what the issue is here, and why everyone feels the need to argue back and forth. The phone was made with the capability of airplane mode. The FAA rule book shown to Casey didn't state any offense he had committed. I'll bet the flight attendant was just jealous he didn't own an iPhone/had the luxury to watch "I Know What You Did Last Summer" :P But really, who cares?

If flight attendants have such a gruelling life, then a) do something else and b) if you get told the phones in flightmode just accept it and dont be a jobs worth. why stress yourself out about something that doesnt matter

Ok this is a little rediculous. Air rules really hjave to change as stopping someone from using a SAFE and LEGAL gadget really takes the buiscit. And Will, you should show respect to your fellow passenger too! they have as much right to listen and watch there ipod etc , as long as they use headphones and at a quiet volume, as you have at reading a magazine. respect works both ways.