Please Turn Off Your Electronic Devices

Good morning, everybody!

And it’s Wednesday. That’s another day down for this week, and my, it’s been a week. In all seriousness, I couldn’t tell you precisely what has happened this week. I know I trained someone yesterday, and I know that some Doctor Who was watched. I know that I have made my daughter giggle, and I have tried to make my wife happy. However, past there?

Anyway.

As you probably know, I have to sit at the front desk at my job all day with CNN playing on a TV in the lobby beside me. Most of the time, I’m fairly good at blocking out the jabber spilling out of the mouths of the people on there, but occasionally there is a story that catches my attention.

Today, they were doing a story about someone who was reprimanded by the FAA for recording during take-off using his iPad. The reason that they knew was because he recorded birds being sucked into the engine and it had been circulating. Now, I’m sure there were other parts to the story, but I was just annoyed by one of the arguments being spewed by the person who got the notice from the FAA. You’ve probably heard the argument before, and perhaps even used it yourself.

There’s “no proof” that the electronic devices actually interfere with flight instruments, so I don’t have to pay attention to the instructions that say to turn them off.

Really?

You’re thinking that, because you read online that your mobile device doesn’t actually interfere with the airplane, that you’re above listening to instructions from the flight attendant? You can’t go without your iPad, tablet, or MP3 player for the amount of time it takes to take off and get to the appropriate height? You’re above anything like that, no pun intended?

Now, I’m not arguing over the rule itself. Do I think it’s foolish? Yes. However, do I pay attention? Yes. Why? Because this is a civilized society, with rules that we have to follow. Some of the rules are stupid, like how Middletown, Indiana is changing all of their Speed Limits from the 25-40 MPH range to a flat 20 MPH “in the interests of a more uniform speed limit.” That doesn’t make sense, but will Barney Fife listen as he writes you a ticket? Nope. It’s a rule that you have to follow.

That’s what this Electronic Devices during take-off is. Is it stupid? Yes. However, is it a rule in place? Yes. To think you can just ignore it is… well, honestly, it makes you a self-entitled jackhole and if you’re sitting beside me, trying to hide your Droid X from the flight attendant as they’re checking, I’m seriously trying to fight the urge to insert said mobile device into one of your body’s natural orifices, my pick. And to go on a National News Network and put out there that you don’t think it makes sense, and you’re above those rules? Well congratulations, you have just outed yourself as a self-important douchnozzle on CNN.

I’m sorry, but this really makes me mad. People who think that they are more important than everyone else. Those people who wait until the last minute to get into a turn lane or an off ramp. Those people who gun it to the head of the line in a construction zone and cut in at the last minute. Those people who put a faster running time for a marathon so they don’t have to wait as long to start and then walk the entire route, blocking up the path for the actual runners. The people who will put one person in line at an attraction at Disneyland for 2 hours while the other 10 people go ride something else, and then expect their entire party to be let in at the front of the line.

Seriously, I could let this list go on, but it just infuriates me. I would never think of jumping in line. I would never think about b.s.ing a tech on the phone, saying that I’ve been waiting “for days” for a callback when the ticket shows they called an hour ago. Why do people think that they’re too good to wait, to follow rules, or to be patient and courteous? What does it take to wire a person to think that they can park in a Handicapped Parking Spot because they don’t want to walk from farther in the parking lot? And why are we not allowed to do any rewiring work upside their head with an aluminum baseball bat?

Okay, this is turning into an aimless, rambling rant, so I’d better just quit while I’m ahead. Just seriously, people, don’t be dicks. You’re not better than me. I’m not better than you. We’re all in this together, so let’s work together and try to make it less crappy.

Til Tomorrow,
Tony