I could read the headlines now… NB Man in Jail Cell over Cell Phone

On my flight back from Rhode Island last week, one gentleman got on the plan with his cell phone in his ear. He was talking with his family or something and was clearly preoccupied with his call. The co-pilot was trying to give pre-flight instructions (it was a VERY small plane) and was attempting with decreasing levels of patience to get this guy to end his phone call.

• “Alright, everyone, as soon as we are done with our cell phone calls, we can get underway.”
• “Sir, the whole flight is waiting for you.”
• “Ok. It’s - time - to - end - the - phone - call.”
• “I have no problem sending everyone back to the terminal, and we can deal with this from there.”
• “The Airport Police are just a phone call away!”

When the guy finished his call, the co-pilot immediately went into his announcements. The guy turned off his cell phone (like a good boy) and, of course, his cell phone played its little musical notification of powering down.

• “Are we still playing with cell phones down there!!”

All the while, the dude was yacking away, apparently oblivious to the repeated requests to end his call. So, he never heard him, eh? Still, you are on a plane…. an airplane! You know cell phone use is frowned upon. Duh! He is VERY fortunate that he was not arrested, or carted off the plane or something. In these days of international travel, you don’t frig around with that stuff. I’ve heard stories of people being carted away for less.
“The Airport Police are just a phone call away.” “If you wait a couple of minutes, when I’m done with my call, I’ll let you borrow my cell phone.”