As a law school student, I’m sure you know that are no grounds for class action litigation, but I understand that you are calling for people to read this and take action. I’m also sure that you know that this is a cut-and-dry case, as there was a clear breach of FAA policy. Rudeness may have taken place, but it is irrelevant. I think you just felt that you friends should not have been removed from the aircraft. I understand that you were upset enough to write a complaint on behalf of your friends, and I want to show respect for that.
However, an aircraft cannot depart from the gate until all electronic devices have been turned off. Airplane mode can be used once the flight attendant says it is safe (generally above 10,000 feet). This is FAA regulation. The flight attendants would fail to perform their duty if they did not enforce this safety rule.
Flight attendants aside, you seem like a grounded person, so I hope that you also see this from “across the aisle” as another passenger. We’re talking about 150+ passengers who were prevented from reaching the flight’s destination because someone would not turn off their phone. Many of these folks had connections to make upon arrival. They potentially could have been stranded in a foreign city due to this conflict. Rude behavior is never acceptable, but I know that you would never want people to be stranded and miss important weddings, funerals, business meetings, etc.
If you were flying next to your friends, and you were on your way to see a sick and dying relative, I'm sure you'd feel differently about their removal from the aircraft.
|