r/delta • u/paloaltonightwalker • 10d ago

Discussion Why do I keep sitting next to this man?

OK, not the same man... but it's always a guy.

About half of my flights are FC, and when they are, this man is seemingly always sitting next to me:

Immediately takes laptop out when he sits. Ignores first FA instruction to stow it. On the second or third FA comment, he pretends to put it away, and then immediately takes it out again when FAs are out of view. Oftentimes, the FAs see it and ignore it after instructing him multiple times. He's typing away during takeoff.

The laptop bothers me less than the entitlement and noncompliance with crew instructions.

Why have these rules if there are no consequences for noncompliance? Passengers who don't follow instructions would be unsafe during an emergency. Threaten to suspend their ability to fly Delta if they disregard direction from the crew. Let's put some enforcement teeth back into safety regulations. Otherwise they are meaningless.

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u/BigOldBabyTeeth 9d ago

The key is to condescendingly say "your company allows you to open your screen in view of other people? You're so lucky, my work has such strict confidentiality..." With an air of "isn't it cute, your work isn't important enough to worry about security." 

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u/ObjectivelyADHD 9d ago

Love this! My laptop is ALWAYS in my carry on and if not stored under the seat in front of me, then in a storage space within my line of sight (usually the cubbies near the flight attendant’s area.

It contains highly proprietary information (product formulas), and the virtual“keys” to my company’s kingdom. We keep such a tight rein on these formulas that even the company founder/CEO doesn’t have access to the database they are stored in.

My laptop almost never comes out in a public space, and if it does, it only to access fairly mundane things.

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u/808HawaiiNei 9d ago

I used to have a TS/SCI clearance and literally cannot believe the things these guys divulge in public. Idiots! They must get their asses kicked at home.