Article: The Practicalities of Working on a Plane

[Mattg]

You mentioned sitting near babies on planes. Last year, I paid thousands of dollars to go business from Sydney to Dallas and during the night, there was a baby in the row behind me who cried all night. Nothing was done by the cabin crew. If I was in economy, I wouldn't mind so much because I wouldn't have paid a lot for the ticket, but in business, one has paid a lot to be able to lie down and sleep, but not with a crying baby behind me. I complained to the Qantas staff and was told that it is discrimination if babies weren't allowed in business class. What do others think?

I've also been on an overnight Qantas flight in J where I planned to sleep but couldn't because a baby across the aisle cried all night. The crew and parents were trying to calm the baby down, but nothing worked. Although I was tired and cranky the next day, I just had to accept that it's a risk you take when you're on public transport.

On future overnight flights I have avoided choosing a seat near the bulkhead, or used the JAL website trick to check if there are any infants seated nearby.

 

[Boeyn]

Agree with most of the comments here re space and prying eyes. On golden triangle routes, if I attempt to work on the plane at all - big if - it is generally only on morning flights, and never a laptop; I’ll either use my iPad with a Magic Keyboard, or just use the 90 minutes to try and clean my inbox out via my iPhone.

As for privacy, I am constantly amazed by what I see others open and read in full view of 6+ people in close proximity to them on a plane. If my data-points are anything to go by, the usual suspects are almost always investor relations people on an even-numbered QF40X to SYD for the day (and if you think the stuff they are reviewing to prepare for a day of meetings with IB analysts is always publicly available material, think again…).

 

[outthere1000]

You mentioned sitting near babies on planes. Last year, I paid thousands of dollars to go business from Sydney to Dallas and during the night, there was a baby in the row behind me who cried all night. Nothing was done by the cabin crew. If I was in economy, I wouldn't mind so much because I wouldn't have paid a lot for the ticket, but in business, one has paid a lot to be able to lie down and sleep, but not with a crying baby behind me. I complained to the Qantas staff and was told that it is discrimination if babies weren't allowed in business class. What do others think?

In my experience the worst children's behaviour is entirely due to the parents, and I blame them, not the children. The two worst experiences I've had, both in long-haul international J, were (1) twin toddler boys who shrieked and slapped their TV screens for hours while the parents just sat like suet puddings, and (2) a boy aged about eight or nine who never spoke softer than a shout, for the entire eight-hour journey (and even before, in the lounge), even though daddy was sitting right next to him (while mummy slept). Like you, I resent paying a huge amount of money (my own) only to spend the journey with selfish, entitled parents who make no effort to control their children.

 

[COC]

Agree with most of the comments here re space and prying eyes. On golden triangle routes, if I attempt to work on the plane at all - big if - it is generally only on morning flights, and never a laptop; I’ll either use my iPad with a Magic Keyboard, or just use the 90 minutes to try and clean my inbox out via my iPhone.

As for privacy, I am constantly amazed by what I see others open and read in full view of 6+ people in close proximity to them on a plane. If my data-points are anything to go by, the usual suspects are almost always investor relations people on an even-numbered QF40X to SYD for the day (and if you think the stuff they are reviewing to prepare for a day of meetings with IB analysts is always publicly available material, think again…).

Oh - have to agree some have no filter on their screen and details can be seen. Incredible details. Some with no shame.

 

[pauly7]

Oh - have to agree some have no filter on their screen and details can be seen. Incredible details. Some with no shame.

I know! I’ve had some absolutely incredible reads over the last couple of years in the great Covid bounce back and all the corporates are flying around again. Some amazing information ‘shared’

 

[SeatBackForward]

I know! I’ve had some absolutely incredible reads over the last couple of years in the great Covid bounce back and all the corporates are flying around again. Some amazing information ‘shared’

Would be interesting if any organisations had a "Fly only business" rule for exactly this reason, or conversely, an explicit "no working on flights" rule?

 

[Stealthflyer]

I find I can work on domestic flights, but not international. I think my brain equates international with holiday too well. There are also tasks better suited to plane brain: I can whip up a slide presentation no worries, but anything involving complex ideas and critical writing is a no. However, I’ve done some of my best work in airport lounges. Nothing like a looming deadline to get that conference paper written!