Major US Airline can now remove passengers for ‘barebeating’

“I was just on a delta flight where a woman with a toddler was positively screeching ‘he’s just a baby you expect him to wear headphones?!’ over and over again until the flight attendant left. The child watched the same video playlist over a two-hour flight,” one person said.

“Ugh. Took my toddler on a flight with my spouse and she was just fine with headphones,” another person added.

According to another airline employee, announcements about using headphones are made before take off, but for some reason, a bunch of parents mean their kids are an exception to the rule. “So, we almost have to say that this rule applies to all devices and guests of all ages. It’s a shame how parents think their children can do whatever they want.”

 Travel experts say the problem of barebeating has become more noticeable in recent years as smartphones and tablets have become main source of entertainment during flights. While a number of passengers do use their headphones, other rely on their device’s speakers, forgetting that it may bother those around them.

Airplane cabins are already packed with a bunch of background noise from the engines and the air circulation systems, which makes some passengers turn the volume on their devices up even louder. And when this happens, it doesn’t really come as a surprise that those around them, who try to sleep, read, or simply relax during the flight, get frustrated.

This makes things hard for the flight attendants too because they are constantly forced to walk the fine line of serving customers and keep thigs under control within a very confined space. Unlike other places, where people can simply move in order to get away from a person listening to music or videos on their devices without headphones on, on an airplane this is not an option, and that’s the reason why airplane companies put an emphasis on cooperation and basic courtesy.

Further, extended exposure to loud audio on a plane can cause stress and fatigue for those already facing issues such as lack of space, loud noises from the engines, and jet lag. According to experts, even moderate exposure to noises in a confined space can cause difficulty in relaxing, sleeping, or concentrating. So, airlines urge passengers to use their headphones not only as a matter of courtesy but also for the sake of the comfort of the rest of their passengers.