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Turn your phone off when told to - or risk being kicked off your flight
Anyone that has flown knows that the cabin crew will make a big deal about having all passengers turn electronic devices off as soon as the cabin doors are closed. Of course, there are always a couple of people that need a little extra reminding. Then there are of course those passengers that need to make a call that is apparently so important, they'll ignore all requests to turn their phone off. A 20 year old man from Colorado fits that profile - and his phone call was so important, that it triggered a fight when he refused to turn his phone off. By the time the fight broke out, the plane had taken off from Charles De Gaulle airport, and four American security agents got involved.
With a disruptive passenger on board, the pilot took no risks, turned the plane around and landed back at the airport where the man was handed over to French police officers.
To make matters worse for this
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Carl Jan 29th 2010 8:15PM
Hallelujah!
Maybe this idiot can be trained to realize that the sun doesn't rise and set in his bunghole.
Maybe.
Lynn Jan 29th 2010 9:48PM
I've been a flight student before, and the reason they ask you to turn off electronics on takeoff is because some gear can interfere with navigational equipment on the airplane, such as the Instrument Landing System which is important. I think they were right to repremand the guy with the cell phone but I disagree with them cancelling his ticket and refusing to fly him home from a foreign country. He may have learned his lesson getting thrown off the flight. They would always be free to do the same thing if he did the same thing going home ...
NANCY Jan 29th 2010 10:32PM
It matters not what you think, when you are on a flight you are under the command of the flight crew. Disregard them at your own peril. If they flight crew needs help, there is no shortage of special agents and passengers that will help take you out. So do as you are told. Make the flight safe for everyone. Now this stupid dude gets to find another way home. Hooray for United Airlines
flyer Jan 29th 2010 10:36PM
When we fly private, they let us talk allwe can. It is all be, it doesnot mess with gps or any of the ILS systems. I am also a private pilot and when I need to make a call we jsut drop down to low alt and call away. But on hawkers and citations tehy arenever a problem up toabout 4k'
Hamachi Jan 29th 2010 8:15PM
Cell phones have been proven NOT to interfere with the equipment in the cockpits of jet airliners. This paying passenger was not an idiot, but rather a victim of idiotic policies.
Davis Jan 29th 2010 10:36PM
Regardless of whether the interference is proven or not it is the RULE of the airline. Rules are in place for a reason. Quite frankly, he should be made to pay for the inconvenience of the passengers (should any of them have missed connecting flights) and the addition fuel that the airlines expended on turning around and taking off again. It is time IDIOTS like this one be taken down a peg. I am also tired of hearing everyones inane conversations. I don't eavesdrop but I can't help to hear every freaking word when someone is seated six inches away from me!!! Get on the plane, sit down, shut up, listen to your music (at a level that is not disturbing to other passengers) or read a magazine. Be a considerate human being! Is that too much to ask from the unwashed mass of humanity the flies in the 21st century?
dan Jan 29th 2010 9:18PM
Your an idiot....it HAS been proven to cause problems in older unshielded aircraft. In new ones this is not a problem. With the USA having the oldest fleet of any major country it makes sense to shut it off. But if your an arrogant azz and think your better than anyone else i hope your dumb azz gets kicked off too. Face it....you NOT that important.
Kimberly Jan 29th 2010 10:38PM
It doesn't matter whether the phones interfer with plane equipment or not, rules are rules and EVERY passenger is expected to follow the airline's rules and policies and if they don't like them then just don't fly and spare the rest of us your self-centered cr@p. And BTW, the temper tantrums these self-centered idiots throw when they don't get their own way is plenty of reason to kick them off and refuse them further flights, not to mention the inconveniece for the peaceful passengers who have also paid for their tickets and yet are perfectly happy following the rules. Grow up and learn how to live in a civilized society.
robert Jan 29th 2010 11:53PM
flyer, you can't even spell I doubt you can fly a plane. but if you are a pilot I sure wouldn't want to be on a plane you're flying. rules are rules it doesn't matter if phones don't interfear you still have to follow the rules. if you are a pilot you of all people should know that.
Carl Jan 29th 2010 8:18PM
Hamachi, you have a citation for that opinion?
Who proved it?
When?
Where?
Ron Jan 29th 2010 8:39PM
There has been no proof that cell phones interfere with anything on airplanes or in hospitals. The ONLY reason the airlines dont want you using your cell phone is so that you will use their phone at an astronomical rate. By the way those expensive phones on the plane use the same technology as your cell phone so why dont they interfere with the planes electronics ? Because none of them do they just use it as an excuse. Have you noticed that the hospitals have taken down their signs banning cell phone use. That was because tests have proven that they dont interfere with anything, and they dont on planes either. Like I said its just another way for the airlines to make more money.
Suzanna Jan 29th 2010 8:21PM
Good!! Hopefully he will learn an expensive lesson, probably not, but hopefylly. People need to stop thinking/feeling they are the center of the universe, and that everything in their lives is so freakin' important. It's not! They're not! It is always the other people that get inconvenienced, and have to suffer for idiots like him. I also hope the airline does not turn around and apologize, refund his ticket, and all that "bleeding heart' crap.
a320tech Jan 29th 2010 8:27PM
I'm 21 year engineer with Airbus Industries. HAMACHI is 110% CORRECT
dan Jan 29th 2010 9:19PM
Your a 21 year old moron. The USA has the oldest fleet of any major country. Most air buses are new enough to be shielded for cell phones. MOST of the US fleet is NOT. Wake up and check your facts before you flash your stupidity. Your degree obviously didn't give you common sense.
Ron Jan 30th 2010 8:43AM
Several years ago (9/11/2001), before the ban on using cell phones, the people on the plane that smashed into PA with terrorists on board were using cell phones to describe their actions. Guess what? Our fleet of planes was older then.
Also, I used cell phones on planes for years and none of those planes had interference problems.
ashleigh Jan 29th 2010 10:50PM
To Dan -- Dan, the guy (a320tech) said he was a 21 year engineer, meaning, he's been an engineer for 21 years, NOT that's he's a 21 year old know-nothing!!!!
a320tech Jan 31st 2010 9:04PM
Yes Dan...Read the other comments my friend. I've been an engineer with Airbus Industries in Toulouse France since 1988. Before that, I was an engineer with Sextant Avionics, THE major supplier of avionics to Airbus. I graduated with my MASTERS in Avionics Technology & System Design from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Any other mindful comments and insults you can simply keep to yourself.
a320tech Jan 29th 2010 8:29PM
OK CARL!?!?
Doug Radney Jan 29th 2010 8:33PM
It is about time. I get tired of the rest of us taking it in the shorts because of the behavior of a few arrogant people. Kudos to the airlines for refusing to fly him home - other carriers should have joined.
Cathy Jan 29th 2010 8:42PM
It is not about weather it interferes or not but about rules. The airline asks you to turn your electronics and phones off...you turn them off. We as sensible humans need to realize that we may be put out from time to time but we will live thru it. Follow the rules and respect others that are around you. It only makes the world a better place but others will follow in your example. At some point we have to stop being so self centered and start looking at the big picture.