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12 Oct 2007
A man has been arrested in Hawaii for watching a movie on his iPhone while on a plane.
The ATA Airlines plane was at its maximum cruising altitude when the passenger used his iPhone in flight-safe mode to listen to music and watch a film.
A member of the cabin crew asked him to stop using it as talking on a cellphone during a flight is banned under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules.
The passenger explained that he was not talking on the handset as the flight-safe mode disables the cellphone. A short while later the flight attendant returned and again insisted that he was breaking FAA rules.
"I again explained that I am not using the cell part and it is disabled," wrote the man, identified as 'Casey', in a blog posting.
"I go on to explain that I have been on other airlines that have specific written rules that say cellphones in airplane mode are OK above 10,00 feet, so how could it be a FAA rule.
"And if it is, what rule? He has no answer for that, but now yells at me 'You have to do anything I say, I am going to have you arrested.'"
After further discussions with cabin crew the man was escorted off the plane on arrival and arrested.
He claimed that the flight attendant, described as "very angry and animated" , repeatedly changed his statements to the police, claiming that the plane was not shielded for any electronic device in flight mode then that it was not shielded for phones only.
Police decided that there was no case to answer and released the man.
"Our 'phone-use' policy and the situation you mentioned is currently under review," said Maya Wagle, spokeswoman for ATA Airlines.
"Our existing rules have no clauses relating to the iPhone which, as you know, has been on the market only for the past five months. We are sorry that the passenger was upset. That is the reason we will assess our existing policy. "
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Do you agree?
stuffed in too many lockers as a child
wow get out of your box and step into 2008. Im sure if you tryed harder you could find someone els on the plane to yell at. I bet someone had there seat belt unbucked or something. With small blue tooth head sets people could use there phone all day on a plane and it would be hard to know about it.This man was watching a movie out in the open. Now that you have flexed your POWER and acheived nothing in return except a slap upside your head when the cops let him go. Hear is a word of advice high school was along time ago you proubley cant fit in anymore lockers get over it......
Posted by: c howerton 11 Jun 2008
Self Righteous
I was using my mobile in "flight mode" on as aircraft, as an mp3 player. I was asked by the cabin crew to turn it off as that particular aircraft was not 'certified' for this. I wasn't exactly happy, but complied. I'd no problem on the return flight, as the crew specifically explained in the safety presentation, that "flight mode" phones were permitted. It's simple, do as you're being asked in an aircraft. if you feel that the flight attendant is in the wrong, make your feelings known, but TO THE AIRLINE ONCE YOU'RE BACK ON THE GROUND. You can't blame the cabin crew for being a little bit paranoid in these times. Just because they may have behaved like a bit of a d**k, doesn't mean YOU HAVE TO!
Posted by: Dervheid 18 Jan 2008
Airline will be sued
Looks like the airline screwed up. If it was in airsafe mode, it should have been OK.
Posted by: Tom B 15 Oct 2007
Flight mode
Yeah the Iphone has only been out for a few months but what about the 3 million other phones that have flight mode? Sounds like the attendant was a bit of a jerk really...
Posted by: Dan 14 Oct 2007
Other phones have flight safe mode too!
Flight safe mode is not an iphone exclusive. Other phones have had it for years. I have used my Nokia 6133 in flight safe mode before. If ATA is saying that they don't know the rules because the iPhone is new - then they are clueless since flight safe mode has been around for a long time.
Posted by: Siva 12 Oct 2007
Man arrested for using iphone on plane
Is it really necessary to use cell phones on planes and in cars, especially when there is the real possibility of potential danger? How about a modicum of quietness for those who cannot bear the self-important, insufferable boors who subject all of us to their cell phone stupidities? Cell phone addicts are unconscious, disrespectful, discourteous and obnoxious. Public transportation and areas; doctors' offices; theaters; restaurants; checkout lines; just about everywhere. In their own dream world walking like zombies in the street, or "driving" their cars. Their business, everyone's business. Unable to bear silence or be by, or with, themselves for a moment. Totally oblivious to---and inconsiderate of---their neighbors. Cell phones will be as ubiquitous in airplanes as they are in places where we are all held captive. These (ab)users ought to be relegated to their own soundproof cabin, compelled to suffer one another's inanities. For the entire flight. I, and hopefully those who share these feelings, will give our business to the airlines that have the sense to ban them.
Posted by: Emanuel Molho 12 Oct 2007
This is ridiculous
The mix of a phone and media device is nothing new. I've been doing the exact same thing with my Treos and PocketPCPhones for years. I can't believe the ignorance of some people. I hope that the passenger files a suit against the airlines for harassment.
Posted by: Scott 12 Oct 2007