Good grief, how did we ever survive planes without cell phones, smart phones, tablets, and laptops? People need to learn to disconnect when they step on board.
In case you missed it, today’s big brouhaha is over did whether or not actor Alec Baldwin turned his phone off soon enough to meet with the flight attendant’s approval. Baldwin was booted from an American Airlines plane when the flight attendant said he refused to stop playing Words With Friends when she asked him. Baldwin claims they were still at the gate and that forcing him off the plane was a power play by the attendant.
I admit there have been plenty of times when I’ve been a last minute phone power-downer, but when the flight attendant makes a point of asking you, you do it. The rules are there for your safety and—more importantly to me—my safety. You may disagree, but too bad.
Full discloser: as a road warrior, there are times when I’m working until the door closes and power up again as soon I can. But for the most part, I really take refuge on planes. They are one place where no one can reach me. The only people I’ll take calls from once I’ve boarded are clients who I know wouldn’t call unless it was important and my dear old grey-haired mom. But even then, I explain where I am and make it short .
It wasn’t all that long ago that we didn’t have these gadgets and had to simply amuse ourselves by reading real magazines and books or—heaven forbid!—talking to the person next to us. Sometimes I long for those days. Especially when I am settling into my seat and having to listen to everyone around me chattering on their phones to people not on board. Oh, and the things I hear! Business stuff. Personal stuff.
Just two weeks ago as we were landing, I heard someone talking and looked over to see the guy across the aisle talking on the phone WHILE WE WERE STILL APPROACHING TO LAND! The flight attendant was seated and couldn’t get up. We were still more than 5 miles from the airport! She got on the speaker and told him to get off and he did. But seriously? That call couldn’t wait until we were on the ground? The flight attendant told me later she could have had the guy arrested at the gate but didn’t want to delay her next flight. Whether Alec Baldwin deserved to be hauled off is debatable, but this guy deserved it and paid no penalty.
If my flight got delayed because a misbehaving cell phone user got the punishment he deserved, I’d applaud.
Janice McDonald is a writer, producer, and avid traveler. She is the author of Historic Walking Guides: Bruges; The Insider’s Guide to Atlanta; The Insider’s Guide to Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand; and, most recently, Day Trips from Atlanta: Getaway Ideas for the Local Traveler.
KLM220
I agree! I often see people talking and then when the flight attendant passes by, they sort of hide their phone (or other electronic device) until she’s passed, then begin again. What is so important??
People generally seem to have horrible cell-phone manners.