ATA Tries to Arrest Passenger for Using iPhone in "Airplane Mode"

http://www.switched.com/2009/02/19/faa-tells-pilots-to-turn-off-their-cell-phones/

get owned ATA, see if I ever bother to turn on the airplane mode on my phone from now on. This guy should definately sue for distress, and the flight attendant deserves to lose her job.

Whatever happened to just following the flight attendants instructions. I'm sure he/she asked to have the device turned off. For the 10 minutes prior to landing and the time it takes to taxi for takeoff, I think its not too much to ask. It has been reported that some electronic devices can cause interference with the aircraft systems like the GPS or radios. In case your wondering, I am a current airline pilot and have been one for just under 30 years!

I think that the airlines and tsa have been over stepping as of late. I have been on flights and been asked to turn off my cd player yes that's right a personal cd player, being told that it would interfer with the airplanes equipment, when in fact it doesn't but the attendent felt it was necessary to talk loudly and bring attention to where i was sitting etc. It's sad that we pay a fee to use the airlines services and we are still treated as if they are doing us a favor by allowing us to fly with them. Something needs to be done to keep all tsa/airline workers in check. If we as consumers don't speak up for our rights who will? and at what cost?

This article is just another example of a rude intimidating incompetent hostile passenger type who thinks his stink doesnt stink and god forbid he go more than 10 seconds without using some electrical gadget to amuse himself.

As a flight attendant, I know that the employee in question was 'technically correct' in asking that the passenger shut the device off. The Airplane Mode does not include usage except when above 10,000 feet of altitude. All such devices ARE mandated by the FAA to be completely off and stowed prior to take-off and landing. Of course, I do think it was silly to have the police involved - I don't concern myself with such extremes. However, in honesty, why couldn't the man just shut up and complied. People act like they can't live without this technical garbage for even a few minutes.

This is not a case of some 'power hungry' flight attendant. It is a cas of one more rude passenger who refused to comply with FAA mandated rules. Neither the airlines or the flight attendant 'makes them up', however they are compelled to try to enforce them or face fines and possible termination. Folks, it is the Government who makes the rules that you all so hate to follow. Airplane mode or not, all items are regulated to be turned off prior to landing. I'm sure that the flight attendant doesn't give a personal hoot, but was just trying to follow the rules.

Whatever happened to the impartiality of the news? Author Tom Samiljan should be censured for his "rude, intimidating, incompetent, and hostile" reporting. How does he know that the flight attendant was in fact "mad-with-power"? As far as I'm concerned, Mr. Samiljan is a "complete, off-his-rocker psycho" and poor example of a journalist.

It doesn't matter if it's a cell phone, gameboy or a laptop during take off and landing or it must be by the request of the flight crew it must be turned off. It's a matter of radio waves from any device interfering with flyby wire control systems or navigation equipment aboard the aircraft. Food for thought if the flight crew doesn't want it on shouldn't you stop and think why. There have been instances when improperly shielded electronics have caused un commanded aircraft control surface deflections in flight. Short and simple the aircraft began to dutch roll. Sounds scary it is. The rolling motion would only stop when the a passenger laptop was turned off. Stop and think if the flight crew is wary of passengers having electronic equipment on so should you.

You would think that a several hundred thousand dollar airplane would be well protected from the radio waves from a small gameboy or electronic device. Actually, they are very well shielded from these types of interferences.

If you have such a problem with TSA, just fly a different airline! I really don't see any problem with the flight attendant's...At least you know he was trying to do his job (even if it was wrong in this case). I highly doubt it would have killed the guy to shut off his iPhone for a few minutes.

All you people saying this guy should have turned it off while the plane was landing and/or below 10000 feet need to learn how to read. You really shouldn't let your stupidity get in the way of your self righteousness.

Here is the full story. As you can see your comments are out of line, as the ibrick in question was not being used under 10k feet, during takeoff or landing. The flight attendant was way out of line, period. I know its tough to be perky all day when each flier has paid more for a seat than you make in a month, fact > opinion.

http://consumerist.com/consumer/travel/ata-tries-to-have-you-arrested-for-using-your-iphone-in-airplane-mode-309421.php

this is a very one-sided description. Certainly the FA would have his view garnished with enough emotional arguments to turn opinion. All in all, ridiculous..

Yeah Great Idea...Thanks Tom. The Consumer should sue ATA.. Well guys.. Everybody wonders why its so expensive for everything we do and buy?? Suing for a mistake like this... Maybe she was out of line, maybe he was distressed.. He is probably going to get a million dollar plus settlement for it.. We all pay for it. That settlement cost is passed on to you the consumer..Tom - you should consider working with the ACLU...

Justin

"on a flight to Hawaii", not during landing or take off. If the plane was airborne why the flight attendant attempted to have a passenger arrested for refusing to turn off an iPhone ? Because they could! "You have to do anything I say. I am going to have you arrested," the ATA flight attendant threatened.
If some cop did this to me I would have had a supervisor call on the spot. They forget that we pay them and we are still Americans, with some rights.
To bad the flight attendent became the fool on this one. Looks like someone needs to go back to class for training!

You also need to remember one of the reasons you need to have your CD players, Ipods etc. off during takeoff and landing is in the event of an emergency you will hear the instructions from the flight attendants and not waste valuable time in the event of an evacuation.

airplane mode is NOT an approved mode for cell phones. there IS no approved mode. i cant believe this jerk WASNT arrested!! airplane mode can still cause interference with navigation systems, radios, gps, etc in the flight deck. the lack of respect towards flight attendants these days is ridiculous. when things like this happen, and then the press behind it, takes away all authority from flight crews. its such a hassle to travel these days- not because of 'rude' and 'power-tripping' flight attendants and airline employees, its because of stupid people wanting everything for less and less money. that man deserved to be humiliated in front of the other passengers, he deserved to be taken off in handcuffs, and charged. what happened to "zero tolerance"?!?!

airplane mode is NOT an approved mode for cell phones. there IS noapproved mode. i cant believe this jerk WASNT arrested!! airplanemode can still cause interference with navigation systems, radios,gps, etc in the flight deck. the lack of respect towards flightattendants these days is ridiculous. when things like this happen,and then the press behind it, takes away all authority from flightcrews. its such a hassle to travel these days- not because of 'rude'and 'power-tripping' flight attendants and airline employees, itsbecause of stupid people wanting everything for less and less money. that man deserved to be humiliated in front of the other passengers,he deserved to be taken off in handcuffs, and charged. what happenedto "zero tolerance"?!?!