"Flight Attendant: Police, Babysitter or Secret Cell-Phone Snuffer?"....just a few comments regarding "posters, bells and whistles" regarding people and their phones.
1)Cell phones can be used up until 5 minutes before departure on American Airlines.
2) Flight attendants (at AA) are not paid (except "per diem") until after the airplane door closes. Unfortunately, the most hectic part of the job is often before that moment.
I think that the new rule (see #1, above)helps to pacify the cell-phone addicts, while not completely revoking their privelege at what can be the most frustrating moments..(i.e.:delays, etc.)
3)Do you REALLY believe that more announcements, posters, bells, and seat-pocket-magazine reading materials will help me to encourage a flight full of modern society to obey rules?
Consider this:
The door to the lav says "push".
The passenger pulls.
Here's an even better example:
"Fasten your seat belt."
The seatbelt exists...surely the passenger sees it or sits on it.
The flight attendant says "fasten it" before the airplane door closes.
The captain turns the "fasten seatbelt" sign on...(complete with 2 hands and belt picture), AND a bell rings at the same time.
It's embroidered on the back of the headrest directly in front of you.
It's written on the safety briefing card, and in the in-flight magazine. In many languages.
The agent reminds of it before the door is closed.
THEN......they even show you HOW to do it.
I know you've gotta be getting my point...Invariably, LOTS of grown, sober, sane men and women STILL don't do it.
Even though they've heard all the reasons.
Rules don't apply, because if they're followed, passengers have a tougher time sueing! (kidding) (kind of)
One more unnumbered point: AA does offer "approved" in-flight phones, for those desperate to phone. (Does anyone know why they're approved?)
Please wear your seatbelt and pack your phone in your checked luggage!