An airline passenger has been arrested for refusing to shut down his lap top on landing?

Question

The charge laid by First response anti terrorist police is that he failed to "obey the instructions of the captain ( of the aircraft)".

Should this individual be given "the most selfish d**k head of the year award" ( douche of the universe has already gone to John Edwards" the psychic")..or should he be lauded for challenging an instruction from the captain of a passenger airliner that was designed to protect the lives and safety of all other passengers on the plane to prove his point ?

What is your view?

Answer 1

Place his laptop where the Sun don't shine.

Answer 2

"Most Selfish D"  Right up there. Book 'im Dano.  

Answer 3

should have just stomped it and then said thank you and name add to the do not fly list

Answer 4

Here Here!

I know some people exclaim "rules are meant to be broken", but in the world of aviation, rules are there for a d**n good reason... And anybody who disobeys those rules should be made examples of and have the whole weight of any applicable law thrown right at them.

I don't think he was being particularly selfish... just incredibly stupid... perhaps the "Village idiot of the millenium - as sponsored by chief village moron, George Dubya" award...

Answer 5

Federal law makes it a crime to not comply with instructions given by any member of a crew.

You may think its dumb to have to turn off your laptop or iPod, but if instructed to do it, you better darn well do it or be prepared to go to prison.

Passengers are simply not aware of most of the regulations we as crewmembers are required to enforce.  You think its dumb to have to turn off your electronic devices prior to landing, but the flight crew is simply obeying the laws that are already in place.  If you choose to disregard those regulations and leave your laptop on, you are breaking federal law not only by refusing to comply, but also by operating an electronic device during a critical phase of flight.

We do not expect our passengers will be educated on the regulatory nuances of passenger air travel, but it is highly regulated and those rules are strictly enforced.  Our job in that case is simply to ensure that you are in compliance with those rules and regulations.  When you refuse to comply, you are breaking rules you probably didn't even know existed, but ignorance of the law is not permission to break it.  

Answer 6

You can be arrested for interfering with garbage pickup.

It's illegal to interfere with the crew in any way, so if they ask you to turn off your laptop in cruise flight, and you refuse, you are guilty of interference with the crew, and if they choose to push it, you will be arrested for that.

Answer 7

Jail.

Answer 8

run his laptop over with the gas truck give it back to him and tell him to take the train for 3 years.

Answer 9

The inside of an airliner is such a unique environment that most people are willing to suspend normal privileges such as using electronic devises whenever we want to, in deference to the safety and comfort of fellow passengers.

Once the doors are closed we are on our own. Laws dictating that we must follow the directions of the flight crew are made for good reason.

This no place for selfish ignorant DHs  he got and will get what he deserves.

Answer 10

First like you said he get the selfish d**k head award.

Second he will get more than likely a fine and maybe 30 days in jail.

If you ever listen to the preflight announcement there is something that states "you are required to follow the instruction of the crew".  It is the great catch 22, and basically you give up all normal rights to fly on an aircraft.  Now I am sure there would be a great argument from the American Civil Liberties if the cabin crew ask you to run around naked or hit the passenger next to you.  But short of common sense items you are required to follow the instruction of the aircraft's crew.

So my opinion / view - the guy was arrogant a jerk he thought his needs out weighed others and for that he should get what is coming to him.

Answer 11

He's in serious enough trouble, without being awarded any frequent face-down flyer miles.  When he wakes up in a federal penitentiary with the boys, proving his point will be the least of his concerns.

NEVER fail to obey the instructions of the Captain of the Aircraft.  It can make your butt sore.

Answer 12

Give him a year in Rahway.  

Answer 13

First, let me say I agree: you need to obey the established laws and instructions of the flight crew at all times.    If the crew says shut it down, you do it.

Now, the debate on the whole REASON for the rule has been under serious debate for several years.  Does having a cell phone or iPod on really impact the avionics?  Testing continues, but mostly leads to no.  As a matter of fact, Ryanair is going to implement a program to allow use of passenger cell phones during flight fairly soon, blasting the "interference" theory out of the water (if it works).  

The big issue is this though: we want the pax paying attention and able to hear instructions during the statistically most dangerous phases of flight (terminal environment).  So, we don't want pax with hard plastic objects in their lap, or tuned out with earbuds in their ears during an emergency.  But, the excuse of "it interferes with the aircraft" appears to be transparent to the technologically savvy public.

Bottom line, the dude was wrong, and the cabin of an airborne aircraft is no place to stage a civil disobedience stunt.  But, the dependence on electronics is going to need to be addressed soon by the aviation industry with some real rulemaking.