# You see a fellow passenger with headphones in and phone on during take off. What do you do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 21, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858 "2012-06-21T16:51:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/21 "2012-06-21T17:52:07Z")
> [@Confused dart cum](#): > > We bother you cause at some level you know we’re right. Your rage is actually with the people who are enforcing the silly rule and making you do something that makes no sense. I’m sorry, but you couldn’t be more wrong. I empathize with the flight crew in having to deal with obstinate people who insist that they know air travel better than the people who are trained and paid to do their job. I tend to think that an inability to set aside electronic devices for a short period of time is behavior that is more fitting of a petulant teenager. ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/22 "2012-06-21T17:56:02Z")
I would have done nothing, because I assume the odds that people actually have turned everything off prior to takeoff on a given flight are not very good so why bother with that guy? Half the people probably have their stuff on sleep mode, either because they don’t feel like powering all the way down or don’t know how. I did fly several weeks ago next to a guy who put his tray table down prior to takeoff in order to prop up his novel. I was going to say something in that case because if there had been an emergency, he was on the aisle and the table would have blocked my path and the path of the person in the window seat to the exit. Not to mention if we slam into something, that thing will hurt him like hell. But he realized it on his own before we took off. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/23 "2012-06-21T17:57:48Z")
I’m having trouble thinking of a stupider rule. I’m also wondering why anybody is looking at anybody else while on an airplane, maybe it’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/24 "2012-06-21T18:04:21Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > Yeah - the OP isn’t about the guy being on the phone or texting, it’s about him sitting there playing a video game during take off. I think people are getting confused a bit, but this is more of an ‘in an emergency, he wasn’t ready to act’, and he was sitting in the emergency row. Something tells me that if the plane smashed into a river, he’d drop his Angry Birds and try and get out of the plane. The tray table thing mentioned above is far more dangerous, because it DOES impede other passengers. It’s not like he’s going to be so wrapped up in the video game that he doesn’t either notice the plane breaking into pieces, notice the enormous impact, or that everyone is in the ‘crash ready’ position. And how is being awake and playing a video game more dangerous than sleeping, which I know a LOT of people do on takeoff (and I’ve been known to do). I think they’re a lot less ‘ready to act.’ Being in an emergency row doesn’t mean you need to be primed for action at all times…just that in the unlikely event that there’s an emergency landing or crash, that they’ll help get the door open and get out fast. I personally follow the guidelines of the plane (though if I forgot to power down my tablet and it’s in my briefcase stowed away, I’m probably not going to get up, pull out my luggage, find my tablet, power it down and put the thing away, since it serves no purpose at all). I don’t have my phone out or my tablet on when we’re taking off or landing, but I’m not going to notify anyone either. Now, the tray table in an emergency row? Yeah, I might remind the person. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/25 "2012-06-21T18:05:50Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > “Snitch?” Are we analyzing this issue by the rules of fourth-grade recess? The ‘don’t be a snitch’ code is actually a pretty awesome tool for callibrating your ‘mind your own biz and live and let live’ meter. It is a very misunderstood concept though. As to the OP, I don’t keep my devices on during a flight because I’m not the kind of asshole who wants to give the flight crew a hard time while the just try to do their damn job of enforcing a dumb rule that they didn’t make. Nevertheless, I would never snitch out someone for using their phone for the same reason… The flight crew doesn’t really want to be confronting folks about a dumb and useless rule anyway. I’m the one they will be annoyed with. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/26 "2012-06-21T18:07:15Z")
I guess I just don’t care enough. I never want there to be cellphone usage on the plane - that would be a recipe for murder. But it seems really silly to ban all electronic devices, and not just, for example, come up with a way to block transmissions. I’d never report someone unless they were actually interfering with the takeoff in some way. ---
**Author:** ![iamnotbatman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/858c86/32.png) [@iamnotbatman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamnotbatman)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/27 "2012-06-21T18:18:39Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > These sort of people who think they are above the rules bother me greatly, but I know there’s no point in trying to engage with them. I feel great sympathy for the flight crew and others who are trying to do their jobs and must continually deal with The Most Important Person on the Plane. While I agree that the rule makes sense during takeoff, what bothers me is how early the ban on electronic devices is implemented. As a frequent traveller, it is frustrating to put away my kindle only to have to wait 20-30 minutes before holding short for takeoff. Over and over again. After your hundredth flight, maybe that 20 mintes goes from seeming like a reasonable sacrifice for an infrequent traveller to be magically transported thousands of miles through the air, to seeming an absurd perversion. Of course I understand; many people may need a bit of a buffer, taking a long time to put their stuff away. But I do not. And that 20-30 minutes? That’s on good days. In many cases I have had to wait 2-3 hours without the ban being temporarily retracted. So one becomes conditioned to push the limits a bit. I always put my stuff away before takeoff, but have learned that if I can, it is perhaps reasonable to try to get away with reading my kindle a while even after being instructed to put it away. ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/28 "2012-06-21T18:32:01Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > The issue with electronic devices during takeoff and landing isn’t necessarily that using an iPod is going to cause the plane to go down in flames. It is more like if the plane does go down in flames, then it is not going to be helpful for evacuating the plane if these guys over here are wearing their Bose headphones, those guys are trying to unbuckle their belt while fiddling with their iPad, and so on and so forth. Personally I think it’s part of US security theatre. They claim it’s about electronics to make it not in violation of the First Amendment, but I’m sure it’s really all about how they want you to know that no terrorists could possibly collaborate over the cell network on this plane! So you’re totally safe! See how safe we are? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/29 "2012-06-21T18:33:58Z")
I comply with the request to turn off items, but it is a stupid rule and it wouldn’t occur to me to do anything else about someone else ignoring the rule. As **chizzuk** mentioned, I assume that on any flight there are probably about 12 phones and ipods in people’s bags and pockets that arent’ turned off. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/30 "2012-06-21T18:38:20Z")
> [@iamnotbatman](#): > > While I agree that the rule makes sense during takeoff, what bothers me is how early the ban on electronic devices is implemented. As a frequent traveller, it is frustrating to put away my kindle only to have to wait 20-30 minutes before holding short for takeoff. Over and over again. After your hundredth flight, maybe that 20 mintes goes from seeming like a reasonable sacrifice for an infrequent traveller to be magically transported thousands of miles through the air, to seeming an absurd perversion. Of course I understand; many people may need a bit of a buffer, taking a long time to put their stuff away. But I do not. And that 20-30 minutes? That’s on good days. In many cases I have had to wait 2-3 hours without the ban being temporarily retracted. So one becomes conditioned to push the limits a bit. I always put my stuff away before takeoff, but have learned that if I can, it is perhaps reasonable to try to get away with reading my kindle a while even after being instructed to put it away. This. Also maddening when you have to power off as soon as they close the cabin door, then sit on the tarmac for 30 minutes waiting for your slot to takeoff. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/31 "2012-06-21T18:39:30Z")
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at the amount of people misreading the OP. But wow. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/32 "2012-06-21T18:41:01Z")
I voted ‘_Something else entirely_’, but I would have voted ‘_Nothing, because it’s none of my business_’ if this were an option, as it should have been. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/33 "2012-06-21T18:42:40Z")
Ditto. I was specifically looking for a “Who Gives A Shit?” option, but I guess our poller is more genteel than that. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/34 "2012-06-21T19:22:05Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I’m having trouble thinking of a stupider rule. In the UK, it’s illegal to use your cellphone while filling your car at a gas station. Because the cell phone might make the gas station explode. I think that’s a _much_ stupider rule. > [@EmAnJ](#): > > I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at the amount of people misreading the OP. But wow. What part of it do you think people are misreading? ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/35 "2012-06-21T19:38:56Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > So you pick and chose which laws and rules you want to obey? Glad I don’t live where you live! Just like everyone who’s broken a speed limit or jaywalked. Or indeed those who had an illegal abortion or protested against apartheid. I just happen to be honest about it. P.S. You would have no problem living where I live. I am not an axe murderer or psychopath. ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/36 "2012-06-21T19:40:00Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > In the UK, it’s illegal to use your cellphone while filling your car at a gas station. Because the cell phone might make the gas station explode. > > I think that’s a _much_ stupider rule. No it isn’t. There are signs up about it but that is the case in many other countries. You are however absolutely correct that it is a stupid rule. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/37 "2012-06-21T19:46:30Z")
Pitch him out the window like Indiana Jones on the zeppelin. “No ticket!” ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/38 "2012-06-21T19:49:22Z")
You forgot, “Tackle the guy and disable his lethal weapon!” I’d do that if a terrorist were trying to take down the plane with a bomb, why wouldn’t I do the same when an American is trying to take down the plane with radiation?? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/39 "2012-06-21T19:56:13Z")
I’m wondering just what sort of emergency will require the use of the overwing exits that might possibly avoid any signals to the people in the exit rows, except a generic announcement over the intercom. If you’re really that worried about the accessibility and potential helpfulness of the passengers in the overwing exit rows - travel with a dedicated firefighter, or something. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858/40 "2012-06-21T20:02:49Z")
I wouldn’t do anything. Have your nose buried in an engrossing novel? No problem. Reading your Kindle? You’re a terrorist who’s going to bring down the plane. If electronics were really a danger, they would sweep the plane looking for their signals before takeoff. Who’s to say all the electronics in all the bags and backpacks are turned off? They only seem to be worried about the electronics which are in your hand and that the attendant can see. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-a-fellow-passenger-with-headphones-in-and-phone-on-during-take-off-what-do-you-do/625858.md?page=3)