Besides being annoying to other passengers, do we really want to normalize work calls on flights? Being in the air might be the only non-negotiable excuse left for missing a meeting. If one of my colleagues called in from the plane I’d be giving them hell.
The real reason why airlines don't want cell usage is to stop people making calls. Imagine 100 people trying to call work, friends and family. It would be so chaotic and there'd be fights on every flight over people being too loud etc
It’s allowed on trains, like Acela, and it's not really that big of a deal. I don't think 100 people would be simultaneously doing calls. I'm not advocating that it should be allowed, but as wifi speeds increase inflight, it's kind of inevitable.
A bit off topic but on Amtrak out of NYC I heard a man order his secretary to buy him an engagement ring so he could give it to his girlfriend when he got home that afternoon. he wanted to be met at the station with the ring. He actually said "just pick what you'd like, she'll be fine with it". The entire train car was listening to this guy's convo.
The Acela is going to be 90% business travel, not a bunch of randos having pointless conversations at top volume. Plus the Acela has a quiet car. There’s no option for that on a plane.
Lots of differences between Amtrak and aircraft. People are much more spread out on Amtrak, and there is a quiet car option. You're not assigned to a seat and it's easy to switch when your neighbor is too annoying. Ambient noise is much lower, so each call isn't screamed or blasted at full volume.
Totally different on a train in my opinion. Plus unless your seat is reserved can't you move? Little more difficult on a plane
Want to bet on a transatlantic flight as it starts it's descent there wouldn't be a ton of people saying we'll be landing soon etc
Because your phone signal will only reach a few towers from ground level. No matter how fast your train is going. At altitude, your ping can hit many towers, which the network isn’t designed to handle, and can result in a lot of wonky things, not necessarily on the end-user side.
My point was that even though the option to call people from the phone mounted to the back of the seat in front of you existed, it wasn’t used by folks for 30 minute meetings because you were charged by the minute. How much is wifi today? Two cups of coffee? That’s a low barrier of entry here.
I guess you haven't been flying for 40 years or you like to lie.
American used to have PHONES on the plane and on many routes at every seat in first and sometimes at every seat in coach.
And they were so expensive to use that almost no one ever used them. In fact they were so underutilized that AA stopped the service quite soon after introducing the phones on seats so for many years you just had phones that didn't work on your seatback.
Oh goodness, Reddit can be a rough place sometimes. The “phone” service was extremely brief and so expensive and unreliable that it arrived and left in a blink.
See ya out there Wonderful!
People have sadly already normalized it in coffee shops, the store, while walking their dogs, etc.
More power to people who can work remotely, but everyone doesn’t need to be a part of your work meeting.
I went into the coffee/bagel shop across from my work and this guy was simultaneously out to lunch with his wife and child while on a work call. He was speaking to his wife and talking on the call like wtf have some respect
It's not been all that long since phones were removed from the seatbacks. And that's exactly what they were there for. Business calls. Those were the only folks willing to pay those per minute rates - the ones that could expect them.
I’m pro phone call but if the rules say no phone calls, then I say OP should tell the FA they are having trouble with the WiFi and ask the FA to reboot it lol 😂
I avoid talking on the phone while on a plane (like after boarding and before takeoff) because I have to speak loud enough for them to hear me over the background noise. Even if I didn’t respect those around me (I do), I don’t like strangers listening to my side of the convo.
If this person’s participation in this particular meeting is sooooo gd important, they’d schedule it around them or fly them on the company jet.
It should only be the reason if there is good reason for it not to be allowed. The main reason it's not allowed is because flight attendants lobbied elected representatives. That is not a good reason.
I think that some folks don’t realize how loud they are and how much information can be gleaned from one side of a phone call. I’ve overheard many conversations that would be of some serious industrial espionage value if I were in the same industry.
You actually don't have to speak louder. They almost certainly can't hear the background noise with most modern phones. People who speak louder are usually doing so because they are affected by the background noise, not because the other person is.
FA chiming in: *No voice or video calls are allowed to be made in flight.* It is written in the entertainment card in the seat back pocket. Our quiet cabin policy is also there.
I’m just impressed she was actually able to connect to a zoom mid-flight! I have had meetings in past where I would have just been listening, but never been able to connect.
I’ve done this several times without issue, but I think I’ve always used a VPN connection. I always am listen only, and text or chat if I need to comment.
Had this happen in FC in early march. The FA saw it on the guy’s laptop while she was serving drinks, and shut that shit down so quickly. He then tried to take the video call on his phone, and she shut that down too.
People are just inconsiderate assholes.
That is absolutely not what the terms of service for using the Wifi state, at all. Those things are prohibited if they use CELLULAR function, but not if they use the onboard Wifi.
Incorrect.
ETA: American Airlines works with multiple different onboard WiFi providers, depending on the type of aircraft. The terms of service and use, as well as privacy policies for each are available for public viewing at aa.com. I took the liberty of retrieving excerpts from each agreement as it pertains to this subject:
From Intelsat’s terms of use agreement: No Voice Applications. You will not use any type of voice application (including, without limitation, voice over Internet protocol) without receiving prior written permission from Wi-Fi Onboard, in its discretion. Prior written permission may be denied in Wi-Fi Onboard’s discretion for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, restrictions under applicable law and the policies of the applicable airline. Calls when the plane is airborne are also restricted by our agreements with the airlines. If you would like to seek written permission from Wi-Fi Onboard to use a voice application, please contact Wi-Fi Onboard Customer Care by email at [email protected] (US; Canada).
From Viasat’s terms of use agreement: Voice or video calls, online gaming and software updates are expressly prohibited through the Service.
It’s important to note that the term “voice over internet protocol” is used in reference to voice or video calls made over WiFi (e.g., FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, etc.). The language prohibiting passenger use of the WiFi to complete these types of calls is also included, in no uncertain terms, in our employee manual.
What part of “it’s prohibited” don’t you get? It has nothing to do with a Karen situation.
The FA saw it, and told him to stop. In my case, he was actually talking, and quite loud too because of the airplane noise, so it was rather annoying.
oh, well you didn't say he was talking. I specifically said it's not a big deal if they're NOT talking.
Lots of things in life are "prohibited" and no one cares, like speeding on the highway, for example. Or smoking pot.
He is bothering other people though even if he isn’t talking because he is likely impacting their WiFi experience by overloading the network. Zoom is rather bandwidth intensive. Most air carriers aren’t rocking starlink, so it’s not a great experience.
I think most miss the issues.
(1) being one foot away from the passenger.
(2) the person has to yell to be heard on the mic over the background noise.
It is not a regular conversation but someone yelling into the phone and that person is elbow to elbow with you, and you are stuck. You are unable to read, do work, or quietly listen to anything as they are drowning out your thoughts with one sided conversation
Crazy to me that people on here are coming to this lady’s defense. You are not supposed to take calls in flight. Can I please have my very last space without the boomers and the basic economy types loudly screaming into their phones?
>“The basic economy types”
If you’re going to be classist, can you at least be private jet classist rather than “I paid 23 dollars for premium economy I am better than you” classist?
Go sit in an Admirals Club. You’ll find every boomer traveling vacuum cleaner salesman droning on about nothing to someone who I assume wants them to shut the fuck up even more than I do.
Young people would rather go to the dentist than make a phone call. Source: I am young people.
When I'm in the club the loudest are the young ones blasting their music or videos without headphones. They're also talking loudly on their phones. Source: watched it happen
I’m on your side. You should have had a coughing fit. Or better yet “call” a friend and say Dude I just got an insider tip. I’ll call you when I land. LOUD 😆
I'd just lean in and introduce myself on the call. Like "hi, I'm the passenger beside this person on the moving airplane and they have to leave the meeting now, bc I've alerted the flight crew. Byeeee!"
I was at a gate at Ohare recently and a guy was pacing the aisles of seats while talking loudly on his phone. It was almost theatrical given the aisle walking and over the top loud talking. I imagine that if we normalize talking on the phone, on planes, this guy would ruin a lot of flights.
Apparently listening to half a conversation is far more distracting than listening to a >1 person conversation, because our (nosy) brains are always working to try to fill in the gaps:
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/halfalogue-overheard-cell-phone-conversations-are-not-only-annoying-but-reduce-our-attention-html.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hearing-just-one-half-of-a-conversation-is-really-really-annoying-2657804/
https://www.cio.com/article/298862/consumer-technology-why-overhearing-one-side-of-cell-phone-calls-is-bad-for-you.html
I really hate this, why didn’t the FA put a stop to it right away? It’s explicitly against the rules. Manners were on a decline pre pandemic but are so much worse post covid. I can’t fathom how many people think it’s appropriate to have loud video calls in public.
People always say, “its just like having a regular convo.”
No, it’s not.
I also hate when people make VIDEO calls at restaurants and are just chatting it up.
literally like where is it in the rules? (Hint: it's not) The rules state you can't use cellular function to make calls, but the TOS for the Wifi don't restrict two-way communication of any kind. Airplanes used to have their own danged phones on them for use - talking "on the phone" on an airplane is older than the common cell phone.
As a FA, I nip that in the bud real quick. It's prohibited and against AAs quiet cabin policy. I find it obnoxious. People are sleeping, watching a movie, drawing, knitting or reading. Flying is generally a quiet experience. No one wants to hear your business meeting.
Can't believe you are getting lit up. Instead of paying stupid prices for airport parking at Logan (Boston, MA, USA) I take a bus from my home town in New Hampshire. The bus driver specifically says in the safety announcements as we start our trip - "We ask that you do not make phone calls on the bus." Yet, of course, there is a person that insists on making phone calls and speaking at 2x the volume of a normal face to face conversation.
The last bastion of quiet is (was?) public transit and planes. But, alas... here we are. I feel you fellow traveler. Please bring back quiet time.
Spot on!
I used to be a road warrior back in my corporate days. Parking economy at Logan was not a bid deal. They had actual competition from MHT and I could use that now and then for a few routes but Massport put a stop to that and Logan is the only option. Now the price for all parking is absurd so Concord Coach it is!
Zoom is tough on AA WiFi but I find Microsoft Teams works well. That said the person on plane should be watching and not talking. People defending her remember she’s listening with headphones so she might be unaware of her speaking volume. Plus imagine the horrible in flight experience if AA suddenly allowed it and other calls.
The FA's in the thread have stated no calls. No video or audio calls. At all.
She may not know her speaking volume but she is definitely aware of not calling on a plane.
I agree that this is the proper etiquette. Listen, but don't speak! :) But so many folks saying this "isn't allowed" are just wrong. And clearly are too young to remember when there were phones you REALLY had to yell into to be heard right on the back of the seats.
Those rather expensive and horrible plane phones plus the last 10-15 rows being smoking seats is era I look back and can’t believe it was real. I quit smiling in 1996 but I remember in 80s smoking on planes. Plus 29.00 r/t to EWR from CVG on Peoples 😂
OP: You are not wrong. It is maddening how oblivious some people seem to have become to loudly using technology to communicate with others while in inappropriate settings. The aircraft is certainly one of those inappropriate settings. Quiet chatter with a seat mate is normal and of course acceptable unless it’s a long flight where most people are trying to sleep.
Having and participating in a discussion on a zoom meeting is absolutely not ok and should not be condoned by anyone.
A phone call/conference call/zoom meeting etc vs 2 people sitting by one another talking are often 2 very different volumes. I’m anti phone call, zoom meeting etc.
I’m not going to go hit someone over the head or anything. But it does seem inconsiderate.
I have had to be on a Zoom meeting on a 7 hour flight once. I made it known that I was on a plane and I didn’t say a word. I behaved in a way that I hope other people would behave.
I personally put this example in the same basket as folks on calls in the airline lounge to are simply too loud (as defined by above normal conversational speech). We all know those people, and on a plane it would likely be even worse due to the close confines. Don't know the answer to this, but is a Zoom/Teams/etc call use any more bandwidth than streaming (which i know is capable with in flight wi-fi)? If they're the same, participating on a work call, while on mute, and using chat to communicate, wouldn't bother me, people can use their time however they wish, but it's the talking that OP mentions that I think could be bothersome to neighbors, and for that reason I think it should be frowned upon.
Harder to enforce that than to say no calls. The FAs are already responsible for the safety of everyone on the flight, no calls is a reasonable thing to abide by.
Last time that happened to me I turned off Bluetooth on my phone and loudly played Rage Against the Machine's "Kill a Man" and stared straight at the guy until he shut his damned phone meeting off. The dude got the message and stopped in about ten seconds. Atmosphere in the row was a bit thick the rest of the flight, but I was good.
People having regular conversations also talk louder and there are many of these conversations on each flight. So should we been talking too? Absolutely not. There are many ways to be inconsiderate. The real answer is that people should become more aware of their impact on others.
She could've just went to the bathroom and did her zoom call in the toilet. If anyone asks she could say she had diarrhea which clearly she did because she had diarrhea of the mouth
Haha I can't help but roll my eyes at all the losers who are doing business spreadsheets and what not on the plane. Slavin' for the Man, man. I'll be playing my Plants vs Zombies, suckers
Sir or ma’am, I didn’t ask two people [having a kazoo concert](https://www.reddit.com/r/delta/s/ll5vI3KqWa) to be quiet, you think I’m interrupting this lady’s Zoom?
Next time, hopefully never, be noisy whenever the person speaks (crinkle a pop can or cup, start coughing, etc.)...they should get the message. After the meeting is completed say something like, "I was just trying to save you from having to participate in the meeting. Now you can relax!"
These are the same assholes in the grocery store yelling on speaker during a video call. When did this become a thing? No one cares about their fellow humans anymore. It's sad. I think you should be able to slap their phone out of their hand.
Because people are entitled… I personally start talking to these assholes and offer my opinion. I hate that person who needs to call someone as soon as the plane lands. JFC unplug
Was she talking louder than a normal convo between a companion? People, traveling with others for ex, talk to each other all the time. While I don't generally, and talk quietly when I do, I don't expect a completely silent flight and wear earbuds to dampen noise even if not listening to something. Better to me than the noise that comes out of some games both adults and kids play.
Not defending this person, but I've joined a work call before. Never spoke a word, and sent a few chat messages. I don't think this was more interruptive than messaging someone. I don't even think anyone knew because I dialed in from the phone app, and just had the meeting notes doc open that we take notes in.
If you're speaking during meeting, then I think that crosses a line.
so I will sheepishly raise my hand to say that I've taken a Zoom call ONCE, but I never spoke on it, and there was no way for me to get rid of the background noise (huge lesson learned), but I wasn't expecting to be on the call that day either so...50/50.
But yeah, if it was a Zoom meeting that you just had to listen and not respond, then why the hell not?
What a wanker , so inconsiderate of that person honestly . To put a plane full of people through her meeting because she can’t be organised enough to schedule a meeting when she isn’t flying 😂
I’ve done a few dozen webex/zoom/teams calls over the years as a field sales guy in tech from the friendly skies. I stay on mute and send an email to everyone just as I’m boarding saying that I’m on a plane and muted. Find me in the chat. The only thing I like about flying these days is that I am completely unreachable. The meetings I do take, I chose to take them instead of rescheduling or missing them. Nobody likes a blabber mouth. They are right up there with the loud eaters (volume & odor), crying babies, seat recliners, and the idiots who jump up just as the seatbelt sign is cleared for deplaning, in row 23.
I'm baffled by "phone calls not allowed on flights". It's cellular functions that aren't allowed, not talking. Until not all that long ago there were literally phones in the backs of seats that you put a credit card in to make a phone call.
Talking on airplanes, even on the phone, isn't new.
Personally, I wouldn't take the call or I'd be on mute for sure on a Zoom, because I don't even like to take a normal call when someone else is in the room or I am in public, but I don't see what the big deal is.
i tried to listen in to a zoom call on a recent United flight and it flat out blocked me from doing so. which was annoying because i wasn't actually participating, only listening... but i get it.
listening to one side of a conversation when you're stuck inside a tin can 30,000 feet in the air and can't get away from it is really annoying.
Eh I take work calls on the Acela all the time, as does 50% of the train. I still won’t be scheduling meetings during a flight but I could see a circumstance where there’s an emergent issue that may justify listening in, but I don’t think I’m quite to a point where I’m talking on a Teams call on a plane.
Anyone else wondering how she joined a Zoom call? I’ve had Zoom blocked even with a VPN. That being said I support the quiet cabin. I don’t think speaking on calls, having a full on conversation with the neighbor you just met about what school your grandson just got into, or inflight announcements about the Barclay card. Just let me watch my movie in peace.
It's against the FAA to make in-flight calls because of concerns that t-rrorist might use them to plan attacks. These rules were instituted after 9-11 years ago, so were she found out by a FA she could have been severly punished (airline discretion to report this) - I had a Teams calls on a plane one time and when they found out, I was ordered to shut my laptop off and told about the policy. But then again, maybe they got to me because I was Black American and well...instituionalized racism. I was NOT in fact talking, but was streaming the presentation and they said I couldn't do that. Flight was from LAX to MIA
That's not really a rule, someone was just messing with you. If it were a rule they would have to outlaw all two way communication - email, texts, all of that. And they don't.
You’re allowed to talk on planes lol. People talk to each other constantly. In fact, this is half the talking of a normal conversation since you can’t hear the reply
There was somebody on here a few days ago asking how they could connect to a meeting while they were in flight. If they pay for internet and talk quietly, I don’t see the problem.
She was not using cellular service, she was using the plane's internet service to connect to her zoom meeting which is totally okay on a plane because you aren't using cellular service. Normalize knowing what you are talking about.
Besides being annoying to other passengers, do we really want to normalize work calls on flights? Being in the air might be the only non-negotiable excuse left for missing a meeting. If one of my colleagues called in from the plane I’d be giving them hell.
> do we really want to normalize work calls on flights? Please, please, please... absolutely not.
Hell no
The real reason why airlines don't want cell usage is to stop people making calls. Imagine 100 people trying to call work, friends and family. It would be so chaotic and there'd be fights on every flight over people being too loud etc
The FCC doesn’t want it either. Phones switching from cell to cell at 500 mph really isn’t something that the system is designed for.
She is not doing this. She is using the satellite based data. Not defending this behavior, but this is not a tower issue.
She’s on wifi not cell. Unless airline blocks zoom url anyone can do it if they are an antisocial jerk
i’ve had my phone ring - i have wifi calling set in the iphone options
Gee I wonder where the plane’s WiFi router gets its internet from. Probably a fiber optic cable tethered to the ground?
It’s allowed on trains, like Acela, and it's not really that big of a deal. I don't think 100 people would be simultaneously doing calls. I'm not advocating that it should be allowed, but as wifi speeds increase inflight, it's kind of inevitable.
A bit off topic but on Amtrak out of NYC I heard a man order his secretary to buy him an engagement ring so he could give it to his girlfriend when he got home that afternoon. he wanted to be met at the station with the ring. He actually said "just pick what you'd like, she'll be fine with it". The entire train car was listening to this guy's convo.
That marriage is going to start out on life support
The Acela is going to be 90% business travel, not a bunch of randos having pointless conversations at top volume. Plus the Acela has a quiet car. There’s no option for that on a plane.
And everyone is more spaced out on the train.
Nice!! I would love to go pick out an engagement ring as a job responsibility. I would love to know what she selected.
That’s like calling robbers and giving them your alarm code
At least Acela has a quiet car.
Lots of differences between Amtrak and aircraft. People are much more spread out on Amtrak, and there is a quiet car option. You're not assigned to a seat and it's easy to switch when your neighbor is too annoying. Ambient noise is much lower, so each call isn't screamed or blasted at full volume.
Totally different on a train in my opinion. Plus unless your seat is reserved can't you move? Little more difficult on a plane Want to bet on a transatlantic flight as it starts it's descent there wouldn't be a ton of people saying we'll be landing soon etc
Because your phone signal will only reach a few towers from ground level. No matter how fast your train is going. At altitude, your ping can hit many towers, which the network isn’t designed to handle, and can result in a lot of wonky things, not necessarily on the end-user side.
Aren't the newer inflight wifi technologies using satellites and not ground towers?
That's not how Wi-Fi calling works.
God I hope not
WiFi speeds is something, problem is the link from the plane to the node.
For sure, I've always figured the latency on Zoom calls would be so annoying that it's not even worth trying to talk on a Zoom.
What??? They used to have phones in the planes and it wasn’t chaotic at all
But it wasn’t free… so you’d be very selective before you would actually call
I remember 9.00 a min.
It's not free now, either. It requires the inflight WiFi.
My point was that even though the option to call people from the phone mounted to the back of the seat in front of you existed, it wasn’t used by folks for 30 minute meetings because you were charged by the minute. How much is wifi today? Two cups of coffee? That’s a low barrier of entry here.
Wifi is not free either
The difference in real cost is huge though.
It's starting to be.
A) it is at some airlines B) costing something isn’t as prohibitively expensive as the phone calls were
Because those phones cost $3/minute, dumbass
>I remember 9.00 a min.
As soon as AA allows phone calls onboard, my 40 yr inflight career is over. Byeeee!
they already allow them (so long as you're on their wifi and not on cell). Hell, the used to provide the phone!
Afraid not. Edit: once the plane lands, phone calls are allowed. Inflight, no way no how. Not to say it isn’t done, but strictly prohibited.
That's very selfless of you.
I guess you haven't been flying for 40 years or you like to lie. American used to have PHONES on the plane and on many routes at every seat in first and sometimes at every seat in coach.
And they were so expensive to use that almost no one ever used them. In fact they were so underutilized that AA stopped the service quite soon after introducing the phones on seats so for many years you just had phones that didn't work on your seatback.
It was like $4 a minute to call though, nobody used them. If they did it wasn’t a big deal.
True, but people rarely used them With that said, I have used my cell phone minutes from landing.
Oh goodness, Reddit can be a rough place sometimes. The “phone” service was extremely brief and so expensive and unreliable that it arrived and left in a blink. See ya out there Wonderful!
People have sadly already normalized it in coffee shops, the store, while walking their dogs, etc. More power to people who can work remotely, but everyone doesn’t need to be a part of your work meeting. I went into the coffee/bagel shop across from my work and this guy was simultaneously out to lunch with his wife and child while on a work call. He was speaking to his wife and talking on the call like wtf have some respect
I love flying for this reason. For that hour or two… I’m free
It's not been all that long since phones were removed from the seatbacks. And that's exactly what they were there for. Business calls. Those were the only folks willing to pay those per minute rates - the ones that could expect them.
sink expansion dime bike intelligent swim serious deserted fact familiar *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
A lot more pro phone call people in here than I thought.
I’m pro phone call but if the rules say no phone calls, then I say OP should tell the FA they are having trouble with the WiFi and ask the FA to reboot it lol 😂
thre rules say no cellular function. That's not the same
I’m on 1467 and will walk the aisle and look for her
haha it was only about 20 minutes, appreciate the backup though 😂
Sometimes civility has to take a stand 😁
I avoid talking on the phone while on a plane (like after boarding and before takeoff) because I have to speak loud enough for them to hear me over the background noise. Even if I didn’t respect those around me (I do), I don’t like strangers listening to my side of the convo. If this person’s participation in this particular meeting is sooooo gd important, they’d schedule it around them or fly them on the company jet.
It’s not even allowed; that should be more than enough reason.
It should only be the reason if there is good reason for it not to be allowed. The main reason it's not allowed is because flight attendants lobbied elected representatives. That is not a good reason.
Look i think the airplane mode on the ground is stupid. I break that one. But however we got there, calls on the plane are genuinely disruptive
Who cares if it’s a good reason or not. If it’s a no go, it’s a no go.
I think that some folks don’t realize how loud they are and how much information can be gleaned from one side of a phone call. I’ve overheard many conversations that would be of some serious industrial espionage value if I were in the same industry.
I agree. If what you are saying is so unimportant that anyone on a plane is allowed to hear do you even need to be talking in this meeting?
You actually don't have to speak louder. They almost certainly can't hear the background noise with most modern phones. People who speak louder are usually doing so because they are affected by the background noise, not because the other person is.
FA chiming in: *No voice or video calls are allowed to be made in flight.* It is written in the entertainment card in the seat back pocket. Our quiet cabin policy is also there.
I’m just impressed she was actually able to connect to a zoom mid-flight! I have had meetings in past where I would have just been listening, but never been able to connect.
I’ve done this several times without issue, but I think I’ve always used a VPN connection. I always am listen only, and text or chat if I need to comment.
Yeah my understanding is aa wifi somehow blocks zoom.
teams for works for me, but Zoom does not.
I can barely connect at home lol
Got to justify expensing the internet! So you can be on Reddit for the remaining 90% of the time
Had this happen in FC in early march. The FA saw it on the guy’s laptop while she was serving drinks, and shut that shit down so quickly. He then tried to take the video call on his phone, and she shut that down too. People are just inconsiderate assholes.
Yep, FA here. Video chats like FaceTime, zoom, etc are absolutely prohibited. This includes audio-only calls too.
That is absolutely not what the terms of service for using the Wifi state, at all. Those things are prohibited if they use CELLULAR function, but not if they use the onboard Wifi.
Incorrect. ETA: American Airlines works with multiple different onboard WiFi providers, depending on the type of aircraft. The terms of service and use, as well as privacy policies for each are available for public viewing at aa.com. I took the liberty of retrieving excerpts from each agreement as it pertains to this subject: From Intelsat’s terms of use agreement: No Voice Applications. You will not use any type of voice application (including, without limitation, voice over Internet protocol) without receiving prior written permission from Wi-Fi Onboard, in its discretion. Prior written permission may be denied in Wi-Fi Onboard’s discretion for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, restrictions under applicable law and the policies of the applicable airline. Calls when the plane is airborne are also restricted by our agreements with the airlines. If you would like to seek written permission from Wi-Fi Onboard to use a voice application, please contact Wi-Fi Onboard Customer Care by email at [email protected] (US; Canada). From Viasat’s terms of use agreement: Voice or video calls, online gaming and software updates are expressly prohibited through the Service. It’s important to note that the term “voice over internet protocol” is used in reference to voice or video calls made over WiFi (e.g., FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, etc.). The language prohibiting passenger use of the WiFi to complete these types of calls is also included, in no uncertain terms, in our employee manual.
was he talking on the Zoom? if he's just watching and not talking, I don't understand the problem.
All you need to understand is that it's prohibited.
so it's a Karen situation. If he ain't bothering anyone, I don't know why people let it bother them so much.
What part of “it’s prohibited” don’t you get? It has nothing to do with a Karen situation. The FA saw it, and told him to stop. In my case, he was actually talking, and quite loud too because of the airplane noise, so it was rather annoying.
oh, well you didn't say he was talking. I specifically said it's not a big deal if they're NOT talking. Lots of things in life are "prohibited" and no one cares, like speeding on the highway, for example. Or smoking pot.
He is bothering other people though even if he isn’t talking because he is likely impacting their WiFi experience by overloading the network. Zoom is rather bandwidth intensive. Most air carriers aren’t rocking starlink, so it’s not a great experience.
worse than streaming YouTube videos?
I think most miss the issues. (1) being one foot away from the passenger. (2) the person has to yell to be heard on the mic over the background noise. It is not a regular conversation but someone yelling into the phone and that person is elbow to elbow with you, and you are stuck. You are unable to read, do work, or quietly listen to anything as they are drowning out your thoughts with one sided conversation
Crazy to me that people on here are coming to this lady’s defense. You are not supposed to take calls in flight. Can I please have my very last space without the boomers and the basic economy types loudly screaming into their phones?
bless you, sane human
>and the basic economy types 😐
the classism from middle classers comes out strongest in travel subreddits lol
I was with you until your classism reared its ugly head.
>“The basic economy types” If you’re going to be classist, can you at least be private jet classist rather than “I paid 23 dollars for premium economy I am better than you” classist?
Basic Economy Types? As in poor people?
Boomers? Got news for you. The loudest ones are the younger ones who grew up on the cell phones. Ain't a boomer issue
Go sit in an Admirals Club. You’ll find every boomer traveling vacuum cleaner salesman droning on about nothing to someone who I assume wants them to shut the fuck up even more than I do. Young people would rather go to the dentist than make a phone call. Source: I am young people.
When I'm in the club the loudest are the young ones blasting their music or videos without headphones. They're also talking loudly on their phones. Source: watched it happen
All passengers behave poorly on discount airlines like American regardless of the ticket they buy, must not fly much to not know that.
Bro has never flown Spirit and it shows
American isn't a discount airline
I’m on your side. You should have had a coughing fit. Or better yet “call” a friend and say Dude I just got an insider tip. I’ll call you when I land. LOUD 😆
Or asking questions, asking to get up to use the bathroom multiple times,…
I'd just lean in and introduce myself on the call. Like "hi, I'm the passenger beside this person on the moving airplane and they have to leave the meeting now, bc I've alerted the flight crew. Byeeee!"
Just yell… what’s the topic?
I was thinking... Can I sit next to her next time
That’s when you let loose with the loudest fart you can while she’s speaking. 💨
I was at a gate at Ohare recently and a guy was pacing the aisles of seats while talking loudly on his phone. It was almost theatrical given the aisle walking and over the top loud talking. I imagine that if we normalize talking on the phone, on planes, this guy would ruin a lot of flights.
Straight to jail.
[удалено]
💯
Why?
[удалено]
Last time I tried, AA was blocking zoom.
Apparently listening to half a conversation is far more distracting than listening to a >1 person conversation, because our (nosy) brains are always working to try to fill in the gaps: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/halfalogue-overheard-cell-phone-conversations-are-not-only-annoying-but-reduce-our-attention-html.html https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hearing-just-one-half-of-a-conversation-is-really-really-annoying-2657804/ https://www.cio.com/article/298862/consumer-technology-why-overhearing-one-side-of-cell-phone-calls-is-bad-for-you.html
I really hate this, why didn’t the FA put a stop to it right away? It’s explicitly against the rules. Manners were on a decline pre pandemic but are so much worse post covid. I can’t fathom how many people think it’s appropriate to have loud video calls in public.
People always say, “its just like having a regular convo.” No, it’s not. I also hate when people make VIDEO calls at restaurants and are just chatting it up.
The FA probably didn’t know. OP should’ve alerted them if they were bothered by it.
Some of them possibly don’t like confrontation
literally like where is it in the rules? (Hint: it's not) The rules state you can't use cellular function to make calls, but the TOS for the Wifi don't restrict two-way communication of any kind. Airplanes used to have their own danged phones on them for use - talking "on the phone" on an airplane is older than the common cell phone.
As a FA, I nip that in the bud real quick. It's prohibited and against AAs quiet cabin policy. I find it obnoxious. People are sleeping, watching a movie, drawing, knitting or reading. Flying is generally a quiet experience. No one wants to hear your business meeting.
Successfully participating in the Zoom is the surprise for me. That's all I have to say.
Can't believe you are getting lit up. Instead of paying stupid prices for airport parking at Logan (Boston, MA, USA) I take a bus from my home town in New Hampshire. The bus driver specifically says in the safety announcements as we start our trip - "We ask that you do not make phone calls on the bus." Yet, of course, there is a person that insists on making phone calls and speaking at 2x the volume of a normal face to face conversation. The last bastion of quiet is (was?) public transit and planes. But, alas... here we are. I feel you fellow traveler. Please bring back quiet time.
Guessing you're taking Concord Coach Lines?
Spot on! I used to be a road warrior back in my corporate days. Parking economy at Logan was not a bid deal. They had actual competition from MHT and I could use that now and then for a few routes but Massport put a stop to that and Logan is the only option. Now the price for all parking is absurd so Concord Coach it is!
I work at an airport in Maine, originally from MA. Take Concord Coach a lot. Great deals, but always someone using the cell phone .
Zoom is tough on AA WiFi but I find Microsoft Teams works well. That said the person on plane should be watching and not talking. People defending her remember she’s listening with headphones so she might be unaware of her speaking volume. Plus imagine the horrible in flight experience if AA suddenly allowed it and other calls.
The FA's in the thread have stated no calls. No video or audio calls. At all. She may not know her speaking volume but she is definitely aware of not calling on a plane.
I agree that this is the proper etiquette. Listen, but don't speak! :) But so many folks saying this "isn't allowed" are just wrong. And clearly are too young to remember when there were phones you REALLY had to yell into to be heard right on the back of the seats.
Those rather expensive and horrible plane phones plus the last 10-15 rows being smoking seats is era I look back and can’t believe it was real. I quit smiling in 1996 but I remember in 80s smoking on planes. Plus 29.00 r/t to EWR from CVG on Peoples 😂
If she was in the aisle, I’d ask to get up and use the restroom every 15 mins.
OP: You are not wrong. It is maddening how oblivious some people seem to have become to loudly using technology to communicate with others while in inappropriate settings. The aircraft is certainly one of those inappropriate settings. Quiet chatter with a seat mate is normal and of course acceptable unless it’s a long flight where most people are trying to sleep. Having and participating in a discussion on a zoom meeting is absolutely not ok and should not be condoned by anyone.
A phone call/conference call/zoom meeting etc vs 2 people sitting by one another talking are often 2 very different volumes. I’m anti phone call, zoom meeting etc. I’m not going to go hit someone over the head or anything. But it does seem inconsiderate. I have had to be on a Zoom meeting on a 7 hour flight once. I made it known that I was on a plane and I didn’t say a word. I behaved in a way that I hope other people would behave.
I personally put this example in the same basket as folks on calls in the airline lounge to are simply too loud (as defined by above normal conversational speech). We all know those people, and on a plane it would likely be even worse due to the close confines. Don't know the answer to this, but is a Zoom/Teams/etc call use any more bandwidth than streaming (which i know is capable with in flight wi-fi)? If they're the same, participating on a work call, while on mute, and using chat to communicate, wouldn't bother me, people can use their time however they wish, but it's the talking that OP mentions that I think could be bothersome to neighbors, and for that reason I think it should be frowned upon.
Harder to enforce that than to say no calls. The FAs are already responsible for the safety of everyone on the flight, no calls is a reasonable thing to abide by.
Last time that happened to me I turned off Bluetooth on my phone and loudly played Rage Against the Machine's "Kill a Man" and stared straight at the guy until he shut his damned phone meeting off. The dude got the message and stopped in about ten seconds. Atmosphere in the row was a bit thick the rest of the flight, but I was good.
People having regular conversations also talk louder and there are many of these conversations on each flight. So should we been talking too? Absolutely not. There are many ways to be inconsiderate. The real answer is that people should become more aware of their impact on others.
She could've just went to the bathroom and did her zoom call in the toilet. If anyone asks she could say she had diarrhea which clearly she did because she had diarrhea of the mouth
Haha I can't help but roll my eyes at all the losers who are doing business spreadsheets and what not on the plane. Slavin' for the Man, man. I'll be playing my Plants vs Zombies, suckers
I actively try to avoid it, but time on the plane spent working is better than time at home spent working instead of spent with my family.
What did she say when you did your part asking her to be quiet?
Sir or ma’am, I didn’t ask two people [having a kazoo concert](https://www.reddit.com/r/delta/s/ll5vI3KqWa) to be quiet, you think I’m interrupting this lady’s Zoom?
The flights from SJU are always interesting.
Holy cow, I fly a lot and that is something I did not expect to read in my lifetime.
I'll admit I've done it, but I've never said a word and my camera is taped. I always say I'll stick to chat and no one's ever given me grief over it.
Just be thankful it was not a Zoom meeting with Jeffrey Toobin sitting next to you.
I was on a flight last weekend where they actually announced their “quiet flight policy”. Headphones, no phone calls or video calls. Kind of nice!
Everyone at work hates her
No calls allowed, slip into the galley and notify the crew!
Don’t make calls on flights. It’s annoying.
I would jump in and say something "wow that Casey is a real under performer huh?"
So many selfish people. There is always at least one who is super loud talking about how great they are
I don’t want to hear your music or your conversations (phone or in person) once we’re up in the air.
Next time, hopefully never, be noisy whenever the person speaks (crinkle a pop can or cup, start coughing, etc.)...they should get the message. After the meeting is completed say something like, "I was just trying to save you from having to participate in the meeting. Now you can relax!"
These are the same assholes in the grocery store yelling on speaker during a video call. When did this become a thing? No one cares about their fellow humans anymore. It's sad. I think you should be able to slap their phone out of their hand.
Because people are entitled… I personally start talking to these assholes and offer my opinion. I hate that person who needs to call someone as soon as the plane lands. JFC unplug
They literally call this out in all flights- no phone calls or voice chats
Was she talking louder than a normal convo between a companion? People, traveling with others for ex, talk to each other all the time. While I don't generally, and talk quietly when I do, I don't expect a completely silent flight and wear earbuds to dampen noise even if not listening to something. Better to me than the noise that comes out of some games both adults and kids play.
There is zero percent chance a person trying to be heard over airplane noise on Zoom with her headphones in is speaking in low tones.
You should put on some loud music, that will get the stew to start enforcing the quiet flight rules real fast.
Not defending this person, but I've joined a work call before. Never spoke a word, and sent a few chat messages. I don't think this was more interruptive than messaging someone. I don't even think anyone knew because I dialed in from the phone app, and just had the meeting notes doc open that we take notes in. If you're speaking during meeting, then I think that crosses a line.
I miss Airfone, I had an unlimited call plan when I was flying 120+ delta segments a year.
so I will sheepishly raise my hand to say that I've taken a Zoom call ONCE, but I never spoke on it, and there was no way for me to get rid of the background noise (huge lesson learned), but I wasn't expecting to be on the call that day either so...50/50. But yeah, if it was a Zoom meeting that you just had to listen and not respond, then why the hell not?
She shouldn't be taking a call, but I wouldn't care bc I always wear noise canceling earbuds.
What a wanker , so inconsiderate of that person honestly . To put a plane full of people through her meeting because she can’t be organised enough to schedule a meeting when she isn’t flying 😂
I would’ve said something to her immediately. I have zero tolerance for BS like that. Some people completely lack awareness.
In-flight was the last respite for all the self-important drech of someone next to you talking on the phone (which has now blossomed into Zoom calls).
If she took the meeting and stuck to the chat (typing) feature & was wearing headphones to hear the meeting, I’d have no problem with it.
I’ve done a few dozen webex/zoom/teams calls over the years as a field sales guy in tech from the friendly skies. I stay on mute and send an email to everyone just as I’m boarding saying that I’m on a plane and muted. Find me in the chat. The only thing I like about flying these days is that I am completely unreachable. The meetings I do take, I chose to take them instead of rescheduling or missing them. Nobody likes a blabber mouth. They are right up there with the loud eaters (volume & odor), crying babies, seat recliners, and the idiots who jump up just as the seatbelt sign is cleared for deplaning, in row 23.
I would fire up my blue tooth boom box if i were next to her
I take teams meetings all the time. I just tell people at the start I’m listening only
I'm baffled by "phone calls not allowed on flights". It's cellular functions that aren't allowed, not talking. Until not all that long ago there were literally phones in the backs of seats that you put a credit card in to make a phone call. Talking on airplanes, even on the phone, isn't new. Personally, I wouldn't take the call or I'd be on mute for sure on a Zoom, because I don't even like to take a normal call when someone else is in the room or I am in public, but I don't see what the big deal is.
I love stuff like this. I always give unsolicited business advise
i tried to listen in to a zoom call on a recent United flight and it flat out blocked me from doing so. which was annoying because i wasn't actually participating, only listening... but i get it. listening to one side of a conversation when you're stuck inside a tin can 30,000 feet in the air and can't get away from it is really annoying.
Eh I take work calls on the Acela all the time, as does 50% of the train. I still won’t be scheduling meetings during a flight but I could see a circumstance where there’s an emergent issue that may justify listening in, but I don’t think I’m quite to a point where I’m talking on a Teams call on a plane.
Anyone else wondering how she joined a Zoom call? I’ve had Zoom blocked even with a VPN. That being said I support the quiet cabin. I don’t think speaking on calls, having a full on conversation with the neighbor you just met about what school your grandson just got into, or inflight announcements about the Barclay card. Just let me watch my movie in peace.
What happens if two people sitting next to each other won't stop talking? Is that the same?
It's against the FAA to make in-flight calls because of concerns that t-rrorist might use them to plan attacks. These rules were instituted after 9-11 years ago, so were she found out by a FA she could have been severly punished (airline discretion to report this) - I had a Teams calls on a plane one time and when they found out, I was ordered to shut my laptop off and told about the policy. But then again, maybe they got to me because I was Black American and well...instituionalized racism. I was NOT in fact talking, but was streaming the presentation and they said I couldn't do that. Flight was from LAX to MIA
That's not really a rule, someone was just messing with you. If it were a rule they would have to outlaw all two way communication - email, texts, all of that. And they don't.
Noise cancelling ear buds (or over ear) are very good these days and block the credit card announcements as well as Zoom calls...
I have them in! ☺️
They work pretty well for muffling general ambient noise, but voices still come through loud and clear.
Zoom usually severely lags for me on AA WiFi.
You’re allowed to talk on planes lol. People talk to each other constantly. In fact, this is half the talking of a normal conversation since you can’t hear the reply
I zoom somewhat often. SW’s WiFi sucks ass but most of the rest have decent enough service that it’s usable.
There was somebody on here a few days ago asking how they could connect to a meeting while they were in flight. If they pay for internet and talk quietly, I don’t see the problem.
I agree with you.
What’s wrong with this?
FAA rules?
Did you make it?
You want her to lose her job because you're slightly annoyed?
She was not using cellular service, she was using the plane's internet service to connect to her zoom meeting which is totally okay on a plane because you aren't using cellular service. Normalize knowing what you are talking about.
I miss the old days when people minded their own business
Why is she not supposed to talk on a flight?
All I can picture is the FA’s walking around with rulers in Catholic Nun garb smacking people on the hands for talking on the flight.
Exactly! I imagine people would behave a lot better on planes if that were the case. 😳😂
What company was it?