Commercial Fixed Wing
Situational Awareness
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Electronic Device
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy
Passengers sitting directly across from my jumpseat had electronic tablets out during taxi; takeoff and landing. I was uncomfortable with this and afraid for my own safety should we have had an event such as an unplanned evacuation or even an aborted takeoff and these unsecured objects came flying at my head. I also feel that the use of electronic devices by those in the exit row could delay their ability to assist in an emergency due to distraction. During taxi; one of the customers across from me had reclined his seat as we had been on the tarmac for a while. I had to physically get up from my jumpseat and tap him on the shoulder to remind him to put his seatback up; as he was so engrossed in his tablet that he didn't hear or see me try to get his attention. I was sitting literally two feet away from him-directly in front of his seat; and he didn't notice me for about 2 minutes. Our announcement book addresses electronics only by saying that they can be used in airplane safe mode; but must be 'secured or held during taxi; takeoff and landing'; therefore I could not require these customers to stow the tablets in a seat pocket (on sidewall of aircraft) or in an overhead (OH) bin; as they were complying with [Airline's] policy of being 'held.' Also; since use of the devices is allowed; even in exit rows where people are supposed to be 'ready; willing and able' to assist; I cannot ask a customer in an exit row to turn off their device. However; our requirement has always been (and still remains) that ALL items must go in OH bin if one is seated at a bulkhead--which the seats across from 2L/2R as well as 3L/3R are. Therefore; customers are being 'allowed' to have potentially dangerous items out during critical phases of flight; with the potential to harm the crewmembers sitting directly in front of them- I believe in violation of our own and possibly FAA policies. The safety training that I have received from my company has always emphasized that no carry-on items can be out and 'un' stowed during taxi/takeoff/landing due to the potential harm they could cause if the aircraft should stop suddenly. Yet since the implementation of the new electronics policy; these devices; made of metal and glass; cease to be 'carry-on items' and seem to have been made exempt from all safety concerns; regardless of their potential ability to harm their owners or others. Customers using electronic devices at exit rows and who are required to be 'ready willing and able' to assist in case of emergency; are also distracted by their own electronic devices during critical phases of flight. I am very uncomfortable with the way the electronics policies have been rushed into implementation with seemingly no regard to the safety of other people who could be harmed by flying tablets and phones; as well as the implications of a 'plugged in and switched off' person at an exit row who is too distracted to perform their exit row emergency duties in a thorough or timely fashion.
Flight Attendant reported concern that she could be injured by unsecured tablets or other electronic devices used by passengers sitting across from her jumpseat if those passengers lost control of the device during a rejected takeoff or other unusual event.