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I am sure this does not happen often.

I asked two more minutes to switch off my cell phone. But the lady attendant wanted it switched off "NOW". I tried to explain that I am sending a mail and its taking time to finish that operation and then I will switch it off as son as it done. Another attendant came and asked to switch my phone "NOW" I explained the same reason. He did not like it and said "you are off" and went away. My phone was off and I put it away. The lady attendant (who was standing right there all the time) conveyed to front that my phone is off and away. But the male attendant came back after 5 minutes told me to get off the plane and also said my bags are also taken out of the plane.

I went through all the rituals of explaining, begging, feeling sorry etc but he did not budge. And kept directing me out of the plane. And kept saying I was warned. BTW, I did tell him that I was on a international flight and I may miss it if I don't get back on this flight. That did not matter to him.

I wanted to know about my bags, nobody there was able to tell me about that. Apparently they were still on the plane.

Anyway, I actually had come out and the plane left the gate after spending 10 more minutes there.

Now you would think I may be a less frequent flyer etc. But the fact is I fly every week (in a better airline).

Anyway.. just want to know if anybody else has similar experiences?? Having difficulty accepting that this really happened to me. Was wondering if airlines are for passengers or passengers are for airlines.

And what should I do in addition to "pray for those flight attendants that they be forgiven" and doing deep breathing :-)

-a ******-off Guy