Approaches for dealing with 'electronic devices off'

[JohnK]

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!

That sounds like my mother although she loves to look at flight path.

 

[MatF]

I told a guy to turn his phone off on a flight last year. He was sitting across the aisle from me, and it was plainly obvious that he heard the FA's announcement (this was pre-flight). Seemed to me that he simply didn't think the rule applied to him.

I've worked for one of the major mining companies for 20 years, and I guess I've got our safety culture well and truly ingrained.
It was also the end of a long week, and I was in one of those moods where I was sick to death of being surrounded by idiots (i.e. the general public!)

He did turn it off when I asked him, to his credit.

 

[neon_crossing]

To all the do-gooders out there that think it is necessary to 'tell off' a person for doing this (btw I am not saying this is right or wrong, it is your prerogative) I suggest you are going about this the wrong way and leave yourself open for abuse and just sets you up for a confrontation. If you genuinely feel that it is necessary to stop the behaviour of a passenger using a electronic device (and if you do believe it interferes with the plane let me know what you are getting from santa for christmas this year and what your pet unicorn's name is) the technique I would use is to act like you are on their side, simply say 'wow you might want to turn that off or the FA might flip out if she see's it' etc which is a lot less confrontational and is more like you are doing something to help them as apposed to acting like you are their superior.

 

[harvyk]

To all the do-gooders out there that think it is necessary to 'tell off' a person for doing this (btw I am not saying this is right or wrong, it is your prerogative) I suggest you are going about this the wrong way and leave yourself open for abuse and just sets you up for a confrontation. If you genuinely feel that it is necessary to stop the behaviour of a passenger using a electronic device (and if you do believe it interferes with the plane let me know what you are getting from santa for christmas this year and what your pet unicorn's name is) the technique I would use is to act like you are on their side, simply say 'wow you might want to turn that off or the FA might flip out if she see's it' etc which is a lot less confrontational and is more like you are doing something to help them as apposed to acting like you are their superior.

To answer your question, Santa is going to bring me a babysitter who can look after the kids all weekend so the missus and I can get away just the two of us, and my pet unicorns name is bob. To see that this assertion is correct, look at some of the posts JB747 has put up, he has first hand experience as a pilot where an electronic device by a pax caused a problem.

 

[medhead]

Frankly the implications of your post are personally insulting.

To all the do-gooders out there that think it is necessary to 'tell off' a person for doing this (btw I am not saying this is right or wrong, it is your prerogative) I suggest you are going about this the wrong way and leave yourself open for abuse and just sets you up for a confrontation. If you genuinely feel that it is necessary to stop the behaviour of a passenger using a electronic device (and if you do believe it interferes with the plane let me know what you are getting from santa for christmas this year and what your pet unicorn's name is) the technique I would use is to act like you are on their side, simply say 'wow you might want to turn that off or the FA might flip out if she see's it' etc which is a lot less confrontational and is more like you are doing something to help them as apposed to acting like you are their superior.

 

[MatF]

To all the do-gooders out there that think it is necessary to 'tell off' a person for doing this (btw I am not saying this is right or wrong, it is your prerogative) I suggest you are going about this the wrong way and leave yourself open for abuse and just sets you up for a confrontation. If you genuinely feel that it is necessary to stop the behaviour of a passenger using a electronic device (and if you do believe it interferes with the plane let me know what you are getting from santa for christmas this year and what your pet unicorn's name is) the technique I would use is to act like you are on their side, simply say 'wow you might want to turn that off or the FA might flip out if she see's it' etc which is a lot less confrontational and is more like you are doing something to help them as apposed to acting like you are their superior.

This is textbook "rescuer" behaviour.

What's wrong with being direct? There's a rule, and someone isn't following it. It couldn't be simpler.

It has nothing to do with whether or not electronic devices interfere with the aircraft, being a do-gooder, or acting like a superior.

 

[markis10]

This is textbook "rescuer" behaviour.

What's wrong with being direct? There's a rule, and someone isn't following it. It couldn't be simpler.

It has nothing to do with whether or not electronic devices interfere with the aircraft, being a do-gooder, or acting like a superior.

As a passenger you are not empowered by the law to make such requests, on the other hand the crew are, so my take is to get the crew to do it or make the judgement as to what action to take.

 

[MatF]

Agreed, I can understand that it's entirely specific to the individual. You don't have to be empowered by law to do it, but it's up to you.

I also have no problem asking someone to pick up litter that they've thrown onto the ground, or a variety of other things when it's apparent that someone feels that rules or generally accepted standards don't apply to them. It doesn't always work though

 

[iqis60]

As a passenger you are not empowered by the law to make such requests, on the other hand the crew are, so my take is to get the crew to do it or make the judgement as to what action to take.

This is true. But I think you still have the right to say "Excuse me sir, they just made an announcement to turn off all electronic devices, didn't you hear the announcement?"

And if they reply "Yes I did" and continue not to turn it off, you are within your rights to say "I'm paging the FA to let them know you haven't followed their instructions".

It would all be a bit awkward, but perhaps a functional way for you to be proactive in the situation if you feel strongly about it.

 

[Julesmac]

Ditto on QF flights within Oz. Just returned from Europe on SQ. Asked on each leg to make sure I'd turned Kindle off. (I actually just had it out of my carryon, not switched on until in the air and ok'd by crew). I'm happy to comply, rules is rules. 10 minutes without it isn't going to kill me; the previous 10 minutes may! However when you think back many years ago, petrol station attendants would fill your tank with a fa_ hanging out of their mouth!(yep I am old enough to remember that little service)

 

[markis10]

This is true. But I think you still have the right to say "Excuse me sir, they just made an announcement to turn off all electronic devices, didn't you hear the announcement?"

And if they reply "Yes I did" and continue not to turn it off, you are within your rights to say "I'm paging the FA to let them know you haven't followed their instructions".

It would all be a bit awkward, but perhaps a functional way for you to be proactive in the situation if you feel strongly about it.

You are within your rights to say anything you want, you just dont have the immunity from prosecution the crew do in such cases. If there is something wrong on the plane or a concern to me then I bring it to the crews attention for that reason.

 

[harvyk]

You are within your rights to say anything you want, you just dont have the immunity from prosecution the crew do in such cases. If there is something wrong on the plane or a concern to me then I bring it to the crews attention for that reason.

Why would you be prosecuted for saying "excuse me, you need to turn that off now"

 

[freepyjamas]

To all the do-gooders out there that think it is necessary to 'tell off' a person for doing this (btw I am not saying this is right or wrong, it is your prerogative)

Yeah, uh, labelling such people as 'do-gooders' tends to suggest that you are indeed being judgemental. Thanks for the laugh though.

 

[markis10]

Why would you be prosecuted for saying "excuse me, you need to turn that off now"

I am not saying you would, but if it lead to something like a more serious incident or scuffle you could be viewed as the agitator when it comes to responsibility etc.

Nothing wrong with being proactive in matters that are yours, however some may see this situation as none of your business and to a certain extent the law backs that up, if the crew asked you to intervene, its a different story, how many times has the question been asked "why didnt you leave the matter in the hands of those whose job it was"? In some jurisdictions such action could result in a civil suit alleging negligent infliction of emotional distress by the very person you feel is impacting on your safety, at the end of the day you should be aware of the possible outcomes of your actions and the liabilities they may invoke! On the other hand, I am not aware of anyone who has been in trouble for asking someone to do their job!

 

[hardtolose]

Like a previous AFFer said - I don't want to be the one to find out that it is a safety risk. Returning from Sydney last week, and sometime after the announcements were made, the young man next to me was asked by the FA to turn off his phone and he ignored her. Eventually I very quietly reminded him by saying that I thought all such devices should have been turned off by now and he complied. (Maybe because I reminded him of his granny - I really don't care why.) BUT these people who want to make their own rules also seem to be the people who don't listen to the safety announcements at all and will probably not know what to do in case of emergency. It is only a couple of minutes and it might save your own life by doing as instructed. (Now I really do sound like a granny, but I love flying and don't want it spoilt by selfish people.)

 

[radamspse]

I don't know. All I know is I've been given a lawful instruction to turn it off not put it in standby mode.


Sent from the Throne

Exactly right ...a lawful instruction....OBEY its that f@£$$ simple people, or campaign to change the the airlines policy!

 

[rechoboam]

I am not saying you would, but if it lead to something like a more serious incident or scuffle you could be viewed as the agitator when it comes to responsibility etc.

Nothing wrong with being proactive in matters that are yours, however some may see this situation as none of your business and to a certain extent the law backs that up, if the crew asked you to intervene, its a different story, how many times has the question been asked "why didnt you leave the matter in the hands of those whose job it was"? In some jurisdictions such action could result in a civil suit alleging negligent infliction of emotional distress by the very person you feel is impacting on your safety, at the end of the day you should be aware of the possible outcomes of your actions and the liabilities they may invoke! On the other hand, I am not aware of anyone who has been in trouble for asking someone to do their job!

I doubt we could find any instances of someone being sued for saying "please turn that off for our safety".

 

[markis10]

I doubt we could find any instances of someone being sued for saying "please turn that off for our safety".

One hopes thats the case, but stranger things have happened, especially in LOTFAP!

 

[ReLoad]

To all the do-gooders out there that think it is necessary to 'tell off' a person for doing this (btw I am not saying this is right or wrong, it is your prerogative) I suggest you are going about this the wrong way and leave yourself open for abuse and just sets you up for a confrontation. If you genuinely feel that it is necessary to stop the behaviour of a passenger using a electronic device (and if you do believe it interferes with the plane let me know what you are getting from santa for christmas this year and what your pet unicorn's name is) the technique I would use is to act like you are on their side, simply say 'wow you might want to turn that off or the FA might flip out if she see's it' etc which is a lot less confrontational and is more like you are doing something to help them as apposed to acting like you are their superior.

What an amazing coincidence;
I'm seriously hoping for a unicorn for Christmas, and I really want to call him "Ralph".

 

[markis10]

The mere ease with which you are allowed to bring them onboard tells you everything you need to know about the possible "safety risk".

Depends on the aircraft of course, and given the presence of NiMH should not be checked in either. I note on the F100 services they must stay off regardless of flight status (on ground with door open etc), which says something about EMC issues with older aircraft which were designed before the mobile phone came into existence.

What an amazing coincidence;
I'm seriously hoping for a unicorn for Christmas, and I really want to call him "Ralph".

Wont Rudolf get jealous :mrgreen: