Aerlingus - Use of headphones

Tzardine · 26-10-2014 08:26AM #1

Was flying home with AerLingus yesterday and the cabin crew announced that you may not use large over the ear headphones on the flight until the seat belt sign is switched off. You can only use ear buds the flight attendant announced.

Anybody know what the story is with this ? I think it was the attendant making up her own rules as I fly EI a lot and have never seen this.

It makes no sense on so many levels ??

brettmirl · 26-10-2014 08:32AM

When I flew in Aug with EI the cabin crew did similar...but they said you could only use the headphones provided on board - the double pronged ones - and not your own.

I guess that's so people could use the IFE and still hear announcements?

pegasus1 · 26-10-2014 08:39AM

I wonder is this MoLs doing?...they need to wake you to hear duty free announcements etc..

brettmirl · 26-10-2014 10:46AM

It was only for take off and approach/landing.

You were allowed use your own headphones and devices during majority of flight.

billie1b · 26-10-2014 11:31AM

Take off and landing are the most dangerous phases of your flight, they reckon in an emergency situation your over the ear headphones are blocking out whats happening around you and you'd be unable to hear emergency announcements, as oppose to in ear earbuds, they dont drown out much noise so you are most likely still able to hear if an emergency announcement is made. Nothing about making up their own rules, more about safety. Some cabin crew will enforce the rule more than others

pegasus1 · 26-10-2014 11:42AM

I suppose then deaf people are left to their own devices:eek:

And i think the sight of people in fear will alert you too...also the nose dive to the ground...

billie1b · 26-10-2014 12:13PM

pegasus1 wrote: »

I suppose then deaf people are left to their own devices:eek:

And i think the sight of people in fear will alert you too...also the nose dive to the ground...

There are procedures in place for the hard of hearing.

flazio · 26-10-2014 12:17PM

But what about ear buds like these?

I would have thought they would be more sound proof then over ear headphones.
(This particular example even has noise cancelling when plugged into some Sony mobiles.)

Locker10a · 26-10-2014 01:44PM

flazio wrote: »

But what about ear buds like these?

I would have thought they would be more sound proof then over ear headphones.
(This particular example even has noise cancelling when plugged into some Sony mobiles.)

What billie1b has said is 100% correct you can use head phones but just remove them for the critical phases of flight ! I.e take off and landing and in an emergency do you really want to be alerted by the reaction of everyone around you or would you prefer to have actually heard what the captain has said for yourself, I know which I'd rather.....

As for the noise cancelling Sony ones, it's simply impossible for cabin crew to monitor absolutely everyone's devices! And to make regulations to cover absolutely everything is another next to impossible task ! It's the same in all areas of life and law not everything will be covered you just assume people realise what's for their own good and are intelligent enough to go and figure what is best

Danbo! · 26-10-2014 09:03PM

Was told to take off over-the-head style headphones last week from LHR to DUB during take off and landing. Grand. But just got off an EI flight to US today and they were fine with them, or at least didn't say anything.

Funnily enough, they have new IFE headsets (new to me anyway) that are the noise cancelling in-ear style pictured above.

Irish Steve · 26-10-2014 09:12PM

Noise cancelling are not an issue, as they reduce background noise, but not things like PA and other sounds that are point located. Over ear headsets are a different issue, they can block a lot of external sound, which in critical flight phases are important, hence the requirement to not use them during those times.

Tzardine · 27-10-2014 08:20AM

It's a stupid and pointless exercise.

In ear headphones will block out just as much noise as the over ear ones. Escpecially when they are cranked up as they inevitably would be on a plane.

Edit. And what about people who wear ear plugs. Will they ask them to take them out ? I doubt it.

Lapin · 27-10-2014 11:54AM

Tzardine wrote: »

And what about people who wear ear plugs. Will they ask them to take them out ? I doubt it.

The answer was provided earlier.

billie1b wrote: »

Some cabin crew will enforce the rule more than others

Whats the big issue with being asked not to wear listening equipment for a few minutes at either end of a flight? Its not life threatening.

Not being fully aware of the situation in an emergency is.

The arrogant, I know it all, obnoxious attitude some normally tolerant people adopt when they arrive at an airport never ceases to amaze me.

Calina · 27-10-2014 11:59AM

Tzardine wrote: »

In ear headphones will block out just as much noise as the over ear ones.

This actually not true in my experience.

Locker10a · 27-10-2014 12:47PM

Tzardine wrote: »

It's a stupid and pointless exercise.

In ear headphones will block out just as much noise as the over ear ones. Escpecially when they are cranked up as they inevitably would be on a plane.

Edit. And what about people who wear ear plugs. Will they ask them to take them out ? I doubt it.

If that's your opinion that's fine but Aer lingus in putting YOUR safety first decided otherwise, is it really that much of a problem for you ? Really out of all the things in the world this is what you have a problem with!!!!?? Why not politely comply for the few moments you are asked to? I'm sure it's not going to ruin your day that much !

fr336 · 27-10-2014 12:54PM

The majority of people just never grow up.

Jack1985 · 27-10-2014 02:04PM

This really reminds me of a pax I had recently whilst carrying out the safety demo. Spotted him with large headphones, politely asked him could he remove them for the duration of the safety demo as well as for takeoff and once again during landing. I got a look and a huff and puff so just smiled and continued to carry out my safety duties. With this same guy during the service, I got lectured about how ignorant it is to charge for services on board our flights - Bearing in mind we have been (and together with the majority of the industry) charging for services since 2001. This gentleman was a FF, and was simply going out of his way it seemed to annoy me simply due to me previously carrying out my duty in trying to ensure everyone was attentive to the safety demo that was to be carried out. At ten minutes, I had one issue. Yes the same pax. He began to refuse to stow his baggage underneath his seat, once I had this completed by warning the passenger he would be reprimanded for failing to follow the instructions of a CCM, he immediately complied. De-Boarding, the same pax smiles and thanks me.

My actual example here is that a very small amount people seem to be unable to follow instruction or lose control of there own preferred actions whilst onboard. It amazes me just how ignorant and aggressive they become with such simple non-issues. And at the end of the day as previously pointed out, all of us on each a/c are responsible for safety. Not nit picking as some seem to take it. These same people would be the ones in an emergency who would freeze simply as a result of shock - That's what will really slow down an evac and risk lives all as a result of ignorance on there own part.

Peregrine · 27-10-2014 02:13PM

Tzardine wrote: »

It's a stupid and pointless exercise.

You're the expert..

Tenger · 27-10-2014 03:28PM

Tzardine wrote: »

It's a stupid and pointless exercise. ....

In that case I guess you will no longer fly with any airline that requires you to accept their T's & C's in order to buy the ticket. They all have the clause along the lines of "I agree to comply with all instructions given to me by the Captain or his representatives onboard the aircraft"

Jack1985 · 27-10-2014 03:40PM

EI's T&C's. Fairly easy to understand;

If, in our reasonable opinion you conduct yourself aboard the aircraft so as to endanger the aircraft or any person or property on board, or obstruct the crew in the performance of their duties, or fail to comply with any instructions of the crew including but not limited to those with respect to smoking, alcohol or drug consumption, or behave in a manner which causes discomfort, inconvenience, damage or injury to other passengers or the crew, we may take such measures as we deem reasonably necessary to prevent continuation of such conduct, including restraint. You may be disembarked and refused onward carriage at any point, and reported to the relevant authorities with a view to having you prosecuted for any criminal offences committed on board the aircraft.

Tzardine · 27-10-2014 06:46PM

Jesus calm down everybody.

I did not even have earphones, it's not like I was abusing the hostess for the rule.

IMO and experience the over ear headphones are just as loud and block out just as much noise as the in ear buds which is why I found it to be a stupid and pointless rule.

That's my point. Nothing more.

Tenger · 27-10-2014 08:34PM

Tzardine wrote: »

.....
IMO and experience the over ear headphones are just as loud and block out just as much noise as the in ear buds which is why I found it to be a stupid and pointless rule.

That's my point. Nothing more.

Have you ever seen a person try to get out of an airline seat without taking off their headphones?

The use of the easily pulled out earbuds is not just for listening purposes.

This argument against airline regs harks back to the mobile phone usage debate from a couple of years ago.

Locker10a · 28-10-2014 03:15PM

Tzardine wrote: »

Jesus calm down everybody.

I did not even have earphones, it's not like I was abusing the hostess for the rule.

IMO and experience the over ear headphones are just as loud and block out just as much noise as the in ear buds which is why I found it to be a stupid and pointless rule.

That's my point. Nothing more.

Have you considered writing to the Irish aviation authority ? And expressing your concern and opinion ?

Tzardine · 28-10-2014 03:17PM

Locker10a wrote: »

Have you considered writing to the Irish aviation authority ? And expressing your concern and opinion ?

No point calling the IAA. I am contacting somebody with the real power.

Who has the number for Joe Duffy.

Cessna_Pilot · 28-10-2014 04:18PM

What has a BMW dealer got to do with it?

keith16 · 29-10-2014 10:49PM

Jack1985 wrote: »

My actual example here is that a very small amount people seem to be unable to follow instruction or lose control of there own preferred actions whilst onboard.

This thread is pretty much the same as the "Window blinds up, table trays up etc" thread recently.

Why are they asking me to do stuff, wah wah wah!

Unbelievable how stupid people are. Stupidity that seems to become magnified when they are flying.

I was sitting at my gate waiting to board along with many of the other PAX.

Some absolute *bitch* goes up to the desk and shoves her boarding pass in the poor girls face. Conversation goes like this:

Bitch: Here's my boarding pass

Desk Girl: We're not boarding yet

B: *looking confused* when is boarding?

DG: In around 10 mins

B: *looking angry* but the sign says go to gate?

DG: Yes, because boarding begins in 10 mins

B: *tries to keep arguing but has nothing to say, walks away looking angry and confused.

Honest to god, I don't know how some people are able to function in society. I'm pretty sure said bitch was also sitting near me on the flight and as the plane landed and was taxiing up she gets to get whatever crap she had in the overhead locker.

The crew were on the PA quick as flash and had to tell her to sit down 3 TIMES before she got the message.

It really says a lot about a person when they take simple requests as an attack on their freedom as an ignorant slob.

Tenger · 30-10-2014 01:14AM

keith16 wrote: »

This thread is pretty much the same as the "Window blinds up, table trays up etc" thread recently.

Why are they asking me to do stuff, wah wah wah!
...........
...........
It really says a lot about a person when they take simple requests as an attack on their freedom as an ignorant slob.

I'm obviously a horrible human being as this sort of behaviour still makes me smile (and feel superior) after over 20 years in customer facing employment.

Locker10a · 30-10-2014 01:29AM

Tenger wrote: »

I'm obviously a horrible human being as this sort of behaviour still makes me smile (and feel superior) after over 20 years in customer facing employment.

My favourite is when people try to argue with you about their opinion on what they are being requested to do and they actually think that you are going to turn around and say " oh actually you're right sure do what you want " I've had this recently with a woman who wanted to keep her mega laptop and all her other crap in the over wing seat pocket it just got her no where! I told her to write to the regulators and that it's not my rule to change ! She made such a song and dance she looked like an idiot to everyone else

fr336 · 30-10-2014 02:12AM

Locker10a wrote: »

My favourite is when people try to argue with you about their opinion on what they are being requested to do and they actually think that you are going to turn around and say " oh actually you're right sure do what you want " I've had this recently with a woman who wanted to keep her mega laptop and all her other crap in the over wing seat pocket it just got her no where! I told her to write to the regulators and that it's not my rule to change ! She made such a song and dance she looked like an idiot to everyone else

Write to the regulators

Locker10a · 30-10-2014 02:18AM

fr336 wrote: »

Write to the regulators

That's what I tell them!! Lol but it's the truth I don't make these rules they are regulations set out by the relevant aviation authorities in each country !

fr336 · 30-10-2014 02:21AM

Locker10a wrote: »

That's what I tell them!! Lol but it's the truth I don't make these rules they are regulations set out by the relevant aviation authorities in each country !

To be fair I think a few people are still very nervous of flying and wouldn't even be counted as nervous flyers (who are so scared they wouldn't say boo to a goose anyway) so they are very anxious and take it out on people. The rest..well..arseholes :P

Aerlingus - Use of headphones

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