jimd-f
It is the policy of most if not all airlines that the emergency exit rows are kept clear of all luggage/obstructions and loose articles on take off and landing. Furthermore in order to occupy these seats you have to meet certain criteria laid down by the CAA/airline. This is because most incidents occur during these phases of flights.
You should also find that in all these airlines these procedures are watertight.
However I have to say that as an SCCM who does check the cabin secure procedures of my more inexperienced colleagues I would not have a problem with a book/newspaper as long as you were physically holding it to read. If it were on the floor or loose on the seat next to you that would be different. Should you have to evacuate you wouldn't want to be slipping on books/newspapers in conditions of poor visibilty.
The airline that VS-LHRCSA quoted must have a different policy or interpretation re books at the exit rows however I would question their rationale on this. If they see books as projectile then that would apply to all seats not just the exit rows. In this event nobody should be reading on take off/landing.
I suspect that what you experienced here was an overzealous junior CC who had the best intentions at the time. The fact you experienced inconsistency at the end of the flight supports this. You also find sometimes that the Purser/SCCM have their own discretions on company policy as well. Not saying that is right it's just how it is. Basically as long as the exits and aisles are clear on take off landing that is what matters.
With regard to MP3 players and indeed any other electronic device they must be off for both take off and landing. There is a school of thourght that they interfere with the aircraft navigational and communication systems at this time. What is definite is that when pax are plugged into these devices they do not even hear the instruction from the CC on descent to turn them off......also demonstrated in your post. If they can't hear this then they wouldn't hear instructions if an emergency were to occur.
Normally you have to visit these people on descent to tell them to remove their 'phones. A lot of them are not happy at being told and even less happy with the rationale because after all an emergency always happens to someone else if at all....doesn't it?
CC are usually quite rushed on descent and the inexperienced can either miss this altogether or they might be wary of the attitude of some pax on this subject. I'm not making excuses here because all electronic devices must be off for landing regardless. Just trying to tell you why you may have seen what you have.
Hope this helps
