Alec Baldwin booted off AA flight.

[serfty]

Reports indicate he was doing more than playing games.

In fact more information has come to late to indicate why he was removed from the flight: (http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/06/showbiz/alec-baldwin-flight/index.html)

...After Baldwin refused to turn off his cell phone, with the seat belt light on for departure, he walked into the toilet with his phone, the airline said.

"He slammed the lavatory door so hard, the coughpit crew heard it and became alarmed, even with the coughpit door closed and locked," the airline said. "They immediately contacted the cabin crew to check on the situation."

"Given the facts above, the passenger was removed from the flight and denied boarding," the company said....

He has "apologised" (sort of): (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alec-baldwin/american-airlines-service-_b_1135201.html)

First off, I would like to apologize to the other passengers onboard the American Airlines flight that I was thrown off of yesterday. It was never my intention to inconvenience anyone with my "issue" with a certain flight attendant.
...
The lesson I've learned is to keep my phone off when the 1950's gym teacher is on duty. That was my fault there, even though this trip was quite a bit different from so many others. ...

Again, my apology to my fellow travelers.

 

[notzac]

A light hearted view to the topic:

Not plane, PLANET. One said "have Alec Baldwin removed from the PLANET". Does one have to write everything down??

[size=-2]From this Twitter feed, if you aren't already following it: Twitter[/size]



But srsly, I can't understand why people think rules don't apply to them. If you get told to turn your phone off - irrespective of your personal belief on whether it's an actual safety issue or not - just do it.

 

[simongr]

As for the people tweeting, if he got kicked off, they were probably tweeting this either while it was happening or while taxiing out towards take off which is usually pretty safe i would think, if they were still tweeting once they were lined up after seeing the example of AB a few heads should have been banged together...

CX state that devices should be switched off once the doors are closed. I know this was AA but I would expect that most airlines should operate to the same protocols.

 

[docjames]

CX state that devices should be switched off once the doors are closed. I know this was AA but I would expect that most airlines should operate to the same protocols.

QF resembles this practice.

 

[bossreggie]

Let me preface what I'm about to write by making it clear that I am someone who completely follows the instructions of the cabin crew every single time and immediately.

I do however, find it really weird that on some airlines they say to turn your electrical equipment off as it may interfere with the aircraft "navigation equipment".

Is it just me..... Or does anyone else think that when we are hurtling down the runway to take off and the pilots need "navigation equipment" to find their way... I'm not happy. It's a long black stretch of tarmac immediately in front of you!!:shock::shock:

I'd way rather they used their "navigation equipment" when we are 10km's up and 2,000nm off the coast!! (Isn't that when we can all use our electrical devices??):shock:

 

[simongr]

I think "navigation equipment" is a euphemism for "we don't actually know what impact your PEDs will have on what particular instrument and how and we would rather invest money in ways to make the lighting a better shade of blue than working out how to fix something that is a major issue for some people but equally would be a major issue for other people who constantly bitca and moan about how their flight might be ruined if people are allowed to make calls" - I think the latter would make the safety briefing a little too long.

 

[awilcockson]

Have you noticed how many TR have photos of takeoff/landing.....

It's not illegal to use a camera during takeoff/landing (although it is if the camera is in a phone).

 

[awilcockson]

I do however, find it really weird that on some airlines they say to turn your electrical equipment off as it may interfere with the aircraft "navigation equipment".

That get's me as well. Although on a modern aircraft flying a SID/STAR (Standard Instrument Departure, Standard Instrument Approach) on autopilot, I'd be concerned if the Nav system went screwing at 500 ft.

Having said that, I did read a report into a study that showed a direct correlation between emissions from the back of the plane and uncommanded control inputs ... will have to search and see if I can find it again.

As much as I hate having to turn my iPad off for 15 minutes at the start and end of each flight, I am happy to do it if it stops even a .0001% chance of something untoward happening to the aircraft.

 

[simongr]

Be good if someone could explain that to me.

Digital Camera:

Lithium battery
LCD screen
Mechanical parts
Flash
Whiz bangy digital photo making thingy
Potential for GPS geolocation technology to be inside

Smartphone with camera in flight mode

Lithium battery
LCD screen
Mechanical parts
Flash
Whiz bangy digital photo making thingy
Potential for GPS geolocation technology to be inside
Ability to play angry birds

Not seeing major differences other than someone might not put their phone in flight mode... which of course isnt a risk that ever occurs even if people arent taking photos...

 

[awilcockson]

Smartphone with camera in flight mode

There's the rub. How many people do you reckon would actually put their phone in flight mode if they were allowed to leave their phones on?

 

[simongr]

Well they are told to put to put it in flight mode before they turn it off so about the same portion of people who don't put it into flight mode then...

 

[serfty]

"Smartphone with camera in flight mode"

It's been pointed out before that FA see operating 'phone's of any type, they may not have enough time to check that that are indeed all in Flight mode - so all off please!

 

[simongr]

But again people are allowed to turn those devices back on when in flight and the FAs can't check if they are all in flight mode. The same goes for tablets with 3G and wifi and for that matter how many people actually turn off wifi on their laptops when in flight. In the past I haven't even thought about it.

 

[serfty]

It's simply a matter of available time - isufficient prior to takeoff, more available during cruise.

That's the reason given and it has been discussed ad nauseum before.

As posted by Reggie you need to comply with instructions in any case - even if the FA is inventing stuff.

As for cameras during takeoff, QF permit it, other carriers (e.g. NZ) do not.

 

[amaroo]

It's not illegal to use a camera during takeoff/landing (although it is if the camera is in a phone).

But it's just not phones they want shut down - they want all Ipods, DS & all other electronic devices turned off.

Can't turn them back on again until the FA announces the a ok & they have to be shut down at the start of decent.

I've always assumed that a digital camera or any camera is an electronic device!

 

[docjames]

I'm surprised qf's new 738s don't come with a sign like the seatbelt sign for electronic devices.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

But it's just not phones they want shut down - they want all Ipods, DS & all other electronic devices turned off.

Can't turn them back on again until the FA announces the a ok & they have to be shut down at the start of decent.

I've always assumed that a digital camera or any camera is an electronic device!

It may be more to do with wanting everyone's attention (ie not being distracted by PED of choice) for critical phases of flight like take off and landing in case of emergency evacuations etc.

The crew need to know that all pax are going to be able to hear their commands like "brace" etc in the unlikely event of any incident.

PS. what ever happened to airphones in US a/c that used to be attached to the seat in front of you above the tray table? I'm guessing they were removed post 9/11?

 

[el_rooto]

You are worthless, Alec Baldwin,
You failed in every way and now my stock in you has fallen.
Your career is stalling’ and you’re worthless, Alec Baldwin.

 

[Happy Trails]

You are worthless, Alec Baldwin,
You failed in every way and now my stock in you has fallen.
Your career is stalling’ and you’re worthless, Alec Baldwin.

I hoped that I would never see,
such bloody awful poetry.

 

[awilcockson]

LOL

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