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Home  >  Travel  >  Man FaceTimes His Family On Flight…Should We Have All Joined In?
Travel

Man FaceTimes His Family On Flight…Should We Have All Joined In?

Matthew Klint Posted onDecember 9, 2022December 9, 2022 44 Comments

I continue to see a proliferation in the use of noise-emitting electronic devices without using headphones. But how about an innocent onboard call with your children before a flight takes off?

How To Deal With A FaceTime Call On A Flight

It was 9:30 pm. It had been a long day. I boarded my flight to Los Angeles and noticed a man across the aisle from me pull out his phone.

He called the kids. There were no headphones. He spoke to them for five minutes. He spoke loudly. The kids spoke loudly. I was half asleep already and just wanted to go to bed.

But the laughing of his children—a beautiful laugh that I cherish in my own home—shattered the clam of the flight (passengers had already boarded, but we were holding for a late-arriving connection).

They continued to speak a bit longer, he said goodnight and ended the call.

No harm, no foul? 

I think this sort of case is more difficult than the obnoxious businessman who screams into his phone or the annoying kid who plays a game at fun volume.

Even so, this was not a phone call, it was a two-way video call. I realize, especially for a road warrior, that family time can sometimes come at a premium.

Nevertheless, I do not think FaceTime video is appropriate on a flight. Just use the phone and when you use the phone, keep your voice down and the call short.

I’ll admit the thought did cross my mind to walk across the aisle, sit down next to him, and join the conversation.

But nah…I was too tired.

CONCLUSION

Sure, I suppose you can dismiss this very post as passive-aggressive, but it again underscores that airlines should aggressively enforce prohibitions against the use of speakerphones onboard.

It’s very simple: if your device emits noise, use headphones…even if you are having a cute conversation with your kids.

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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44 Comments

  1. Koggerj Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 12:41 pm

    He’s a mask wearer not much more needs to be said.

    • Mike Reply
      December 9, 2022 at 3:20 pm

      Maybe he has an auto immune deficiency, and has been wearing a mask for six years.

      • Koggerj Reply
        December 9, 2022 at 3:34 pm

        Then he should stay home.

        • Billy Reeves Reply
          December 9, 2022 at 6:06 pm

          Why does the mask offend you? It’s his choice.

          • Mike
            December 9, 2022 at 10:49 pm

            Because he lets Trump occupy so much space in his mind, he can only go the ignorance route.

      • david Reply
        December 9, 2022 at 4:24 pm

        Or maybe not.

    • Aaron Reply
      December 10, 2022 at 12:25 am

      Don’t you wear masks at your KKK meetings?

  2. Nate nate Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 12:53 pm

    People have forgotten how to hold a phone to their ear. I don’t think this case is more difficult than the other cases you mentioned. If anything, I’m more forgiving of the kid playing video games because the kid may not know better.

    Not sure what Koggerj’s comment means.

  3. todd Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 12:54 pm

    @Koggerj – I see your Proud Boys are doing the same at their protests.

    • Mike Reply
      December 9, 2022 at 3:22 pm

      Yup. And one is intent on remaining free of disease, the other wants to destroy democracy.

      • Chad Reply
        December 9, 2022 at 3:33 pm

        Lol you lefties with you mental delusions are hilarious.

        An accusation from the left is a confession.

        Antifa/blm terrorists are far more dangerous.

        • Average Joe. Reply
          December 9, 2022 at 4:47 pm

          Chucklechad. What nonsense.

        • Dick Bupkiss Reply
          December 9, 2022 at 9:05 pm

          Fuck you, you boot-licking nazi scum.

  4. Jan Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 12:59 pm

    Honestly how is this different if he and his seatmate were talking maybe slightly louder than usual.

    I’ve been on flights where this happened and could not honestly care less. Then again, I don’t have a habit of silently judging people, secretly taking a photo, and blogging about it for clicks 😀

    • Jan Reply
      December 9, 2022 at 1:07 pm

      I will make an exception for the bluetooth “business” guys. They tend to be more obnoxious, no matter what.

    • Santastico Reply
      December 9, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      Very very different. On your example it would be just your seatmate that you could hear. In this case everyone could hear his kids as well. I think that anyone that uses a cell phone for a call on a plane or any other crowed place should have the common sense to speak quietly and briefly.

  5. Scotty Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 1:07 pm

    FA’s should’ve pushed his mute button. The responsibility to remind people of basic consideration shouldn’t be the burden of the other pax.

  6. Jerry Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 1:39 pm

    I don’t have a problem with a FT call, but I do have a problem with him not using headphones. The fact that he’s talking to a child doesn’t change the obnoxiousness of the background noise it creates.

    • Travel Girl Reply
      December 9, 2022 at 2:12 pm

      Exactly!

  7. Ryan Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 1:43 pm

    Contrarian point of view:

    Sure the video call was obnoxious, but its no different than if it was in the gate area. Boarding is a noisy process. Door was open. Once the door closes, the rules should be enforced.

  8. Kate Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 1:54 pm

    Would this be tolerable if entire plane doing it? Well, no, so this man needs to be considerate to other passengers. Doesn’t sound like it was an emergency.

  9. Joseph Story Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 2:05 pm

    See Matt, you having kids blinds you to the fact that he could have easily used airpods, Google buds or some other Bluetooth device limiting the audible portion of the conversation to merely him.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      December 9, 2022 at 2:06 pm

      I’m not defending him. He was out of line.

  10. Lisa Rasmussen Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 2:16 pm

    Have you ever thought about sticking some noise canceling headphones over your head if you want quiet? He has as much right to talk as you do to quietness…

    • Steve A Reply
      December 9, 2022 at 2:43 pm

      No one is negating his right to talk, but as a courtesy and sign of respect for others headphones would be an acceptable means of minimizing noise / disruptions to others. It is a social norm (or at least it was when I was younger) to lower your voice when indoors/confined spaces. That is why we were told to use our “indoor voice” back when we were kids.

      It seems like many have become so focused as to their own personal needs that they forgotten standard manners in social settings.

      And ps – noise cancelling headsets will only filter out so much

  11. MeanMeosh Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 3:18 pm

    Channeling my inner David Spade, the answer is always “no”. You don’t use FaceTime in a public space without headphones, period, end of story.

  12. David Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 4:27 pm

    Another reason for the death penalty.

  13. Pete Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 5:37 pm

    To me, calls are fair game on the ground. Speakerphone/FT without headphones is a little obnoxious, but not something I’ll raise. Now, if it had been in the air…

  14. Mr. Marcus Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 5:39 pm

    I don’t have a problem with a brief, conversational level FaceTime to say goodnight to the kids in a setting where the door is open, people are boarding, putting away bags, etc… it’s not a quiet environment by any stretch of the imagination. If it’s not quiet, I can do a facetime discreetly.

    I’m silent and well behaved for the entire flight, hopefully folks will grade me on my behavior over the duration of the flight rather than the 5 min I spend taking an interest in my kids lives and telling them that dad loves them before the flight takes off.

    There are plenty of crappy parents and spouses in this world, hopefully some folks can balance their irritation with hearing me speak with an appreciation of the effort being put forth to be a good family member.

  15. Lukas Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 5:45 pm

    For this and many other reasons I always have my noise-cancelling headphones (and earplugs at nighttime) on. No one ever bothers me 🙂

  16. Maryland Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 5:57 pm

    In a time of so many divided marriages often a custody arrangement may include specific call times, or a 9:30 departure may have been the latest to speak to kids before arrival home. Not exactly defending but you cannot know the circumstances. Sure etiquette was briefly violated. And for those not raised by wolves a short call with Dad can be priceless

    • Jan Reply
      December 9, 2022 at 7:34 pm

      I like this take, which is probably why I’m also a bit more tolerant of a crying baby…

      • Bails from Oz Reply
        December 10, 2022 at 12:49 am

        Pretty sure the majority isn’t keen on phone calls when in such close immoveable quarters. How about the person fly out of their divorce rationed time of day if they really must talk ton their phones. Showing consideration for the great majority seems to be a lost piece of sociable behaviour.

  17. Dave Edwards Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 7:32 pm

    I’m good with the Proud Boys or Antifa (pick your side) pounding these f#cks in the face. We are at the point where sometimes violence is the only thing obnoxious a##holes on either side might understand.

    These people think they are important, time to show them they are not.

  18. Jance Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 9:07 pm

    Hey, morons: what part of “turn your devices off or put the in airplane mode once the door is close” do you not understand?

  19. Quinn Reply
    December 9, 2022 at 11:54 pm

    Has anyone ever told you the font on your page blends into the background and is migraine worthy.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      December 10, 2022 at 6:45 am

      No, you’re the first.

      • Lukas Reply
        December 10, 2022 at 9:18 am

        To be honest, I feel the same way as Quinn. I never put it in those exact words but nowhere else on the web do I have to zoom in on my phone to read the article and comments. Your Award Expert font is MUCH, MUCH better. Please change it.

  20. Bails from Oz Reply
    December 10, 2022 at 12:46 am

    Most trains have carriages where noises fro phones aren’t allowed, so why can’t planes keep phone use to texting and ear phone listening only?

    • Lukas Reply
      December 10, 2022 at 9:14 am

      To be honest, I feel the same way as Quinn. I never put it in those exact words but nowhere else on the web do I have to zoom in on my phone to read the article and comments. Your PointsPros font is MUCH, MUCH better. Please change it.

  21. David Reply
    December 10, 2022 at 3:22 am

    When he finishes you can start a conversation with him based on what you heard. So how is Tommy’s soccer team doing? What position did you say he played? Your daughter’s recital is Thursday at what time? He’ll get the hint.

    • Jan Reply
      December 10, 2022 at 10:07 pm

      Passive aggressive as fk

  22. Exit Row Seat Reply
    December 10, 2022 at 3:25 am

    He should of used the portable “Cone of Silence” as a courtesy to the other PAX. ; )

  23. InLA Reply
    December 11, 2022 at 10:21 pm

    If someone on a plane has an obnoxious, intrusive conversation on the phone, I have way of handling it. After the conclusion of the call, I lean in and offer my commentary on what they should have said to the other person, or ask them why they didn’t respond in a particular manner. Sort of Monday morning quarter-backing. This always ticks them off. If they reply that I should mind my own business, I further replay that they made the conversation the business of everyone on the plane by sharing it with the rest of us. We simply couldn’t ignore something so delicious.

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