motor1's dashboard

Although rude, John is right that if I had tucked the device into the seatback pocket, the attendant would never have seen it, and the exchange probable would not have happened. Accommodating someone else's ignorance at 5:25 AM is not my strong point, however. – motor1, on June 23, 2009 14:40

I had trouble convincing the flight attendant my Kindle was off!

I boarded a United flight this morning with my new Kindle 2 turned off (leather cover ordered separately, not yet arrived). I was holding the device in my lap prior to takeoff when the flight attendant saw Virginia Wolfe on the screen and told me to turn it off. I told him it was off. He threatened that if I did not comply he would have me removed from the plane. I explained it was e-ink and that it uses no power to display the image.

He returned with one of the pilots who looked at it. I showed her how it has a wireless feature and that it was off, and then turned the Kindle back off (which displayed another author!). She was still dubious and asked if I could take the battery out. I showed her the back which has no screws and explained taking the battery out would not clear he image anyway because it uses no power. I tried explaining e-ink again and she was evidentially satisfied enough to let me and my off Kindle stay on the flight!

I figured flight attendants would have been familiar with these devices by now.