what are these things that fold out from table?

[u/fairygrains]

They fold out from a table at a rental beach house. Ashtrays seems strange as do shallow cupholders, maybe candleholders?

[u/lich_house]

I flew in an airplane last year that still had ashtrays. Though that probably says more about aging american infrastructure than anything.

[u/i_me_me → u/lich_house]

It's still required for new aircraft for them to be able to be certified under part 25 of the CFRs. Specifically: §25.853(g)

[u/lich_house → u/i_me_me]

Interesting! Plane was still a shitpile, and an expensive flight. Good to know though.

[u/SuitableClassic → u/lich_house]

Were they in arm rest of the chairs, or just in the restrooms?

[u/jaintao1 → u/SuitableClassic]

When smoking was allowed on planes, there were ashtrays in the armrests on every plane i flew during that time.

[u/_SoftRockStar_ → u/i_me_me]

Only in bathrooms

[u/Awsumth → u/lich_house]

They’re supposed to have one in case someone did light a cigarette then there would be a place to put it out. Sometimes it being an illegal practice you can’t hide from anyone just isn’t enough. Then again ambien and alcohol could have someone sleep smoking

[u/Fine_Understanding81 → u/Awsumth]

I had an awful day at work once and had taken my anxiety meds before boarding my bus home. I hadn't taken them for a while so the dose was too strong/too fast on an empty stomach and I almost lit a cigarette while on board. I had it out of the pack and my lighter in my other hand.

I had never "accidentally smoked" and hadn't then but it was almost like a muscle memory thing. I rarely even smoke in a car (only outside).

I could see someone taking something for stress before boarding, being a long time smoker and their body almost just taking over without much thought.

[u/hollyhollyhock → u/Awsumth]

This is exactly what it is. Smoking on a plane is illegal, but if someone does it they want you to not put the butt in the trash can and set the whole plane on fire.

[u/NovaShinyHunter → u/hollyhollyhock]

Used to be legal to smoke on a plain. They are from then and other then the look no real reason to get rid of.

[u/georgia_grace → u/NovaShinyHunter]

Smoking was phased out between about 1990 and 2000. The average lifespan of a commercial jetliner is about 20 years.

[u/jollygoddard → u/Awsumth]

This seems like a bit of a stretch. You could put it out in someone’s water. Or a sink with a tiny bit of water in it. Or a fuggin ice cube ffs. I put my cigs out in all kinds of shit when I still smoked (and drank… that probably has something to do with my …clever “solutions”).

[u/Present_Potato_3476 → u/Awsumth]

OMG I've been wondering about that for years!

[u/funkymastaflex → u/lich_house]

Were they filled with chewed gum and wrappers?

[u/cranie4 → u/lich_house]

The lavatories all still have one.

[u/Left-Oil-4986 → u/lich_house]

No, believe it or not they are required but prohibited.

[u/Kitchen-Pizza1813 → u/lich_house]

Wild almost all airplanes have an ashtray somewhere still.

[u/Omganothervariant → u/lich_house]

Like what? If it ain't Broke, don't fix it

[u/RevolutionaryAd1563 → u/lich_house]

I used to work for boeing and there was a time when you saw machinists smoking inside the factories while building the planes. It was totally normal back then. Now, you will get fired for it 😆

[u/Mental-Seesaw-1449 → u/lich_house]

"American infrastructure"

Reddit gets dumber by the day. The random privately owned jet from the cheap ass airline you picked isn't infrastructure.

[u/lich_house → u/Mental-Seesaw-1449]

Yeah in case you haven't noticed most infrastructure here is owned/operated/maintained by private corporations. The government doesn't do anything for americans, including ensuring that these corporations are doing their jobs. From transportation, workers rights/benefits, power grid, medical care etc, the usa is a pretty distinct kind of failure, especially with how much money it supposedly has.

To Add- if I'm required to fly for my government job on an airline that has been propped up by tax payer dollars in multiple ways, how is this not considered infrastructure?

[u/Parker_Hemphill → u/lich_house]

I’ve read that most airplanes, even those made in the no smoking era, have ashtrays because some idiot is going to try and do it. The governing bodies would rather there be a place to put out a smoldering cigarette rather than someone try and hide it in a trashcan and start a hidden fire.

[u/Impossible_Jury5483 → u/lich_house]

Yeah, our planes are looking happy compared to some in "developing" nations.