Approaches for dealing with 'electronic devices off'

[exRAAF]

Thank you everyone for the sentiment, suggestions, debate and opinions.

Obviously a touchy subject, and I appreciate all efforts to address OP of how to deal with rulebreakers.

One thing I'll note from reading all threads is, when you're next onboard and reading the QF magazine, have a look at the 'Inflight Communication' section (I believe it's called, towards the back). When I read through it a month ago, it distinguished that any headphone that has a jack that is connected to the onboard system is allowed to be connected and operating from boarding to deboarding. The link <http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/inflight-communications/global/en> however, doesn't say the same.

 

[immature]

Incidentally, does anyone know what the QF policy is with Kindles? ISTR someone telling me that some airlines were starting to treat them like you would treat books.

I was just on a PER-MEL flight last weekend with my new Kindle - kept it on and was reading during landing. A few FA's definitely saw it, but didn't say anything about it.

On the return flight, was told to turn it off...

 

[simongr]

I now flight mode the off for the iPad in the lounge and flight mode then off for the phone once in my seat. I can't see the need to be texting after I am seated.

If I was that busy and important that I couldn't lose 10 mins on the ground I wouldn't be wasting my time on AFF...

 

[AirKat]

Like a few others, surprised at the balance of reactions on this thread, on some flights it feels like silent=off.

I only learnt how to turn my ipad OFF from a FA, before that I didn't realise stand by was not off. I know people will think that sounds ridiculous but what other reason is there for turning an ipad off off.

 

[samiam]

The statement I heard on several legs of my last international trip was effectively "Please place your electronic device into flight mode, and then turn it off completely, and not just into standby mode"

I've also heard the FA be quite specific on international and domestic flights (some, not all) - actually belabouring the difference between flight mode, standby and that the device should be completely powered off.

 

[drron]

Certainly on QF634 last night the announcement made the point that devices switched to flight mode must now be turned off completely.

 

[JohnK]

Happens on almost every flight that I am on

- Earlier tonight I was last to board and sat in 4C. Guy in 4F having loud phone call using headphones. Call to turn off all electronic devices so I shut mine down. Guy in 4F still on phone call. Flight attendant eventually noticed him and asked to finish call and turn off phone. This guy really looked and acted like he was very important
- The other day same type of situation but a lady is still using her mobile phone after call to switch them off. Flight attendant noticed and asked her to switch it off. "But I thought I could use it in flight mode!" Yes that was flight mode means.
- Last week on a BNE-SYD flight couple sitting in 4DF with guy using iPad all through descent and touch down and also had Blackberry and headphones listening to whatever cr@p he was listening to. He must have had the iPad hidden between his legs when flight attendant came past. And to make it even worse this guy received special treatment throughout the flight and a bottle of wine because his tray table had something on it. Apparently Steve Irwin's son was sitting there on the flight before.

Some people think they are way more important than anyone else and rules do not apply to them....

 

[Rox]

This may sound like a stupid question, but I'm sure that when mobiles first got flight modes, that was all you were required to do. I have only noticed the emphasis on having phones turned OFF in the last year or so. So did this change, and why, and when can you use flight mode?
I personally live in terror of the day when phone calls can be freely made from planes, so no complaints about the rules being enforced from me.

 

[Homer]

This may sound like a stupid question, but I'm sure that when mobiles first got flight modes, that was all you were required to do. I have only noticed the emphasis on having phones turned OFF in the last year or so. So did this change, and why, and when can you use flight mode?
I personally live in terror of the day when phone calls can be freely made from planes, so no complaints about the rules being enforced from me.

My recollection is very clear that it was always a case of switching to flight mode before switching the device off. But from reading this thread it is obvious to me that the message isn't straightforward enough for a segment of the flying public. The regulator/airlines should refine this (they iterate over the words often enough anyway) to increase levels of compliance.

 

[freepyjamas]

I'm amazed by the bulk of this thread.

'turn mobile phones and other electronic devices to flight mode before switching off. If in flight mode, electronic devices can then be switched on once the seat-belt sign is turned off' is pretty easy to understand.

Anyone who claims not to understand that instruction just doesn't want to know, and hopes feigned ignorance will be their passage to doing whatever the hell they want. Like ignoring priority boarding lanes.

 

[TonyHancock]

I'm amazed by the bulk of this thread.

'turn mobile phones and other electronic devices to flight mode before switching off. If in flight mode, electronic devices can then be switched on once the seat-belt sign is turned off' is pretty easy to understand.

Anyone who claims not to understand that instruction just doesn't want to know, and hopes feigned ignorance will be their passage to doing whatever the hell they want. Like ignoring priority boarding lanes.

To be fair, although being fair is not a natural trait for me, I think there are a lot of folk out there who believe pressing the button at the end of their iPad/iPhone, thus turning the screen off, is turning off their device.

 

[Rox]

To clarify, I remember it as "If your phone has flight mode switch it to flight mode" given as an option to turning it off, quite different emphasis to recent instructions.

 

[nlagalle]

On VA on Saturday night and the person in 1D was reading her kindle for the entire flight, not one word from the FA's.

 

[Fruitcake]

On VA on Saturday night and the person in 1D was reading her kindle for the entire flight, not one word from the FA's.

I was prompted by a VA flight attendant to turn my Kindle off the first time I flew with it. As stupid as it sounds, I simply forgot it as an electronic device - I was slightly embarrassed about having to be prompted!

 

[drron]

Kindles are obviously not on everyone's radar.mine always has the wifi turned off.Probably about 40% of the time i do not have to turn it off,in fact on one occasion was told by an FA that I did not have to turn it off.
then there is security.normally dont bother taking my kindle out through security except for most occasions in BNE when told to take it out and in NZ.You can go through any airport in LOTFAP though with it safely ensconced in your carryon.

Now I sqibbed out on Sunday-fellow did not turn off his Iphone hiding it from FA.Seeing he was at least twice my size i just looked the other way.As well on DJ they did not use the phrase switch to flight mode and then switch off pre takeoff but on landing it was turn off all electrical devices including those switched to flight mode.

 

[Austman]

I managed to pass the entire flight from BKK-SYD with just listening to radio on board. No movies. No gadgets. Why? Because I want to be in control. I don't want gadgets to control me.

Maybe headphones are a gadget? A lady sitting next to me MEL-SIN just sat there the whole flight. No movie, no music, no book. I offered to help her use a 'gadget' or two - like the headphones or the screen but she didn't want to. Power to her!

 

[serfty]

To Reiterate:

This thread is not about that. To quote the OP:

Those who wish to debate the why's please see discussions in these threads:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....onic-devices-order-getting-earlier-26959.html

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/the-dilemma-35476.html

Posts have been moved!

 

[ash.1111]

New VA policy states that all electronic readers must be switched off. As a crew member, I find it very funny when other passengers 'point' profusely to alert me that another guest is still on their phone/iPod etc.

And no, I don't mind that you're still using a device. I admit at times we all lose our situational awareness -- but do the right thing and switch it off when asked/hinted.

 

[parsonstrish]

New VA policy states that all electronic readers must be switched off. As a crew member, I find it very funny when other passengers 'point' profusely to alert me that another guest is still on their phone/iPod etc.

And no, I don't mind that you're still using a device. I admit at times we all lose our situational awareness -- but do the right thing and switch it off when asked/hinted.

I'm a bit confused, we are talking about electronic readers only being turned off on take-off and descent, aren't we? Just bought one for my next o/s trip. cheers

 

[ash.1111]

Yeah, so all Kindles etc. are in the same category as iPods when it comes to securing for take off and landing.