In-flight service on United’s inaugural flight to Chengdu. Just don’t have your iPhone in your other hand when servijng.
United Airlines told its flight attendants that they are forbidden from using their iPhones or other personal electronic devices while on an aircraft when passengers are also on board.
“Use of a personal electronic device and/or accessories is not permitted while customers are on board the aircraft, with the exception of crew rest,” the airline said in a memorandum to cabin crew viewed by Frequent Business Traveler.
The Chicago-based carrier underscored the fact that flight attendants are “required” to provide “visible and attentive service to customers,” adding that “N]either is possible if a flight attendant is using a personal electronic device onboard.”
Staff were also reminded that being focused on a screen versus the cabin could cause a cabin crew member to miss an onboard security incident, cause “personal injury or injury to a jumpseat partner if not properly braced,” and cause “an inadvertent slide deployment if the personal device is held during the disarming of aircraft doors.”
“Customers look to flight attendants for great service,” United pointed out in the memo. “How comfortable would you be asking someone for help if they were engrossed in their cell phone? What impression would that give you?”
Flight attendants who are caught violating this policy “will be subject to performance discipline up to and including termination.”
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
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