Being told to stow Laptop for takeoff and landing?

[JetSetting88]

Hi There,

I've taken over 50 flights with Virgin this year alone, and on a Bris-Emd on Sunday flight I was asked to stow my laptop in the overhead compartment for takeoff and landing because it could become a "Missile" if the aircraft had to stop suddenly. I always hang onto it in my lap to save getting up and getting out of my bag when the seat-belt sign is turned off.

Is this a standard procedure? If so, whats the difference then for say a Hard-back book or kindle or tablet, etc? They'd all be equally as likely to become a "missile".

 

[markis10]

It might be standard for Skywest which was the operator of your flight.

 

[serfty]

Anything that can't be safely stored in the seat pocket in front (i.e too heavy/dense or large) should be stowed. This includes books, electronic devices, handbags, walking sticks etc.

I use a laptop case under the seat in front.

 

[munitalP]

Qantas also has this rule which confuses me sometimes as it's a moot difference between weight of iPad and 12" Mac Book Air, however, they insist MBA is stowed but iPad is OK.

In my last 50 flights VA and QF, I would say 95% of the time I (AC) have been told to stow. QF also have a PA announcement also saying the same thing and I am sure that last Sat DJ ex SYD flight, they had a seat pocket announcement as well.

 

[UP4014]

Laptop under the seat or up top, iPad in the seat pocket. Standard request from crew.

matt

 

[Ausbt]

Something that's been bothering me on Q lately is being told to turn off the laptop well before the seatbelt light comes on. I've copped that twice during 'crew will do a final clean of the cabin' and prior to the message 'crew prepare the cabin for landing'. Sometimes I wonder if Q are picking on me! VA seem to be fine with using electronic devices right through to seatbelt warning.

 

[vantage03]

Policies as per what's been stated already. However, I have only been asked on one QF and one DJ flight this year to stow my Macbook Air... usually they let me get away with putting it in the front seat pocket.
Interestingly, on a related note, last year EK in First let me watch my movie on my MBA during landing, to the point where (with my noise cancelling headphones) I didn't even realise we were landing until my laptop went flying on touchdown LOL

 

[ajw373]

Something that's been bothering me on Q lately is being told to turn off the laptop well before the seatbelt light comes on. I've copped that twice during 'crew will do a final clean of the cabin' and prior to the message 'crew prepare the cabin for landing'. Sometimes I wonder if Q are picking on me! VA seem to be fine with using electronic devices right through to seatbelt warning.

Virgin's policy is you cna use a laptop until the seatbelt sign comes on. Although in reality it should be before, I mean to say how, unless you put it in the seatback pocket or on the floor can you stow and still conform to the seatbelt sign?

Use of Electronics Onboard the Flight | Virgin Australia

Qantas on the other hand has the policy that they can be used until "we prepare the cabin for landing". Note they can do that before the captain annouces it, and as for picking on you, that would only be the case if they asked you and you alone, if they asked the whole a/c it is hardly picking on you.

Inflight Communications | Qantas

 

[ecg]

Something that's been bothering me on Q lately is being told to turn off the laptop well before the seatbelt light comes on. I've copped that twice during 'crew will do a final clean of the cabin' and prior to the message 'crew prepare the cabin for landing'. Sometimes I wonder if Q are picking on me! VA seem to be fine with using electronic devices right through to seatbelt warning.

That's fine for a responsible person such as yourself, but I'm sure that what you have described is so that the cabin crew can check for compliance.

Once the seatbelt sign comes on the cabin crew are seated so they are unable to make sure that everyone has in fact turned off all their devices.

I have seen a lot of people out there who don't turn off their devices unless specifically asked to do so, so I suspect that this is what the procedure is all about.

 

[Lowgoz]

Hot tip: place laptop between your back and the seat. Works every time.

 

[simongr]

Is that so that when you are leaning forward in the brace position it can use your back as a ramp to launch into the cabin?

You know you could always just stow it...

 

[james4321]

Is that so that when you are leaning forward in the brace position it can use your back as a ramp to launch into the cabin?

You know you could always just stow it...

Completely agree simon. It seems that there is always someone who thinks its clever to find a way to just not comply - without any thought to the possible consequences of their usually selfish and childish actions.

 

[medhead]

Something that's been bothering me on Q lately is being told to turn off the laptop well before the seatbelt light comes on. I've copped that twice during 'crew will do a final clean of the cabin' and prior to the message 'crew prepare the cabin for landing'. Sometimes I wonder if Q are picking on me! VA seem to be fine with using electronic devices right through to seatbelt warning.

They are actually giving you more time. It used to be switch off once descent started.

 

[elbarto]

Hot tip: place laptop between your back and the seat. Works every time.

What if it slips down into the crack? Could be awkward.

 

[Ausbt]

They are actually giving you more time. It used to be switch off once descent started.

Yes but that was presumeably back in the 'dark ages' of flight, when the dinosaurs still roamed the Earth. Apologies, I was referring to my flight experiences, you know the 80 or so sectors I've been flying per annum over the more recent, enlightened times. Anyhoo, back OT my latest Samsung lappy feels possibly lighter than my iPad 1. Maybe the iPad should go up while the Samsung goes in the seat pocket? Oh whatever I guess, maybe I should just stick with flying VA.

 

[simongr]

Wasn't the OP complaining about DJ/VA?

 

[markis10]

Wasn't the OP complaining about DJ/VA?

They were complaining about Skywest, which is the operator of the flight, and what makes a difference. The policies such as stowage of devices varies by airline and is part of their AOC, which is why a DJ numbered flight with a FK100 from Alliance means no mobile use at anytime.

 

[medhead]

Yes but that was presumeably back in the 'dark ages' of flight, when the dinosaurs still roamed the Earth. Apologies, I was referring to my flight experiences, you know the 80 or so sectors I've been flying per annum over the more recent, enlightened times.

and I was referring to my flight experiences, you know the 100 or so sectors per annum that I've been flying in recent times.

 

[The Rok]

I do 120 sectors per year!


Sent from AFF Mobile Edition

 

[Ewok]

I do 120 sectors per year!


Sent from AFF Mobile Edition

I've flown 18 airlines this year, and never been told I can't have a laptop in the seat pocket.... I did leave an iPad in the seat pocket earlier this year... :evil:

Try putting the safety card strategically in front of it.