A flight attendant has expressed her frustration over passengers who break a common phone rule while on board, warning that it can be dangerous for pilots and other travellers. The cabin crew member, based in Los Angeles, shared her experience on TikTok after witnessing a fellow passenger take a phone call on loudspeaker during a flight.
What happened on the flight?
Yasmeen, a flight attendant who was travelling as a passenger on this occasion, filmed a video from her seat revealing that another passenger across the aisle had answered a phone call mid-flight with the device on loudspeaker. This allowed everyone nearby to hear the conversation, which she described as both inconsiderate and risky.
She said: "As a flight attendant, I'm actually about to jump out of my skin." The video quickly sparked debate among viewers, with some insisting they would never use their phone during a flight, while others claimed they had taken full Zoom calls without issue.
Why must phones be on aeroplane mode?
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), any device that emits radio waves has the potential to interfere with aircraft navigation and radar systems, as well as disrupt pilots' headsets. Although the extent of interference is not fully researched, pilots have reported hearing background noise from handsets, especially during landing, which can be distracting at a critical phase of flight.
Failing to switch your phone to aeroplane mode is unlikely to cause a crash, but it can lead to other problems for passengers, including:
- Severe battery drain: Your phone works harder to find a signal from ground towers, draining the battery quickly.
- Costly roaming charges: On international flights, connecting to towers in different countries can result in unexpected roaming fees.
Despite the rules, some passengers argue that phone calls should be allowed. One viewer commented: "I just don't understand. With all this technology, and supposedly we went to the moon, but we can't use our phones on the plane?" Another responded: "You are NOT supposed to be making phone calls while in the air!"
Ultimately, flight attendants urge all passengers to follow safety instructions and keep devices on aeroplane mode throughout the flight to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for everyone.
