‘About to jump out of my skin’: California flight attendant flies as a passenger. Then a fellow passenger did something that crossed every line

Yasmeen, a Los Angeles-based flight attendant and TikTok content creator, recently filmed a fellow passenger talking loudly on speakerphone during a flight. She posted the video on her TikTok account @yazgoldenn with the caption, “On SPEAKER?? Commmonnn,” and it has since gained over 3.4 million views. The clip shows Yasmeen visibly frustrated as she records the passenger making the call.

The incident has sparked a wider debate about phone use on planes. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned passengers from making cellular voice calls on flights back in 1991, citing concerns that the signals could interfere with ground communication networks. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also prohibits the use of cellular networks on planes, as it could disrupt the aircraft’s navigation and communication systems. Passengers are, however, allowed to use their phones in airplane mode, which turns off the cellular connection while keeping Wi-Fi and Bluetooth active. 

Using speakerphone around others on a plane is a basic matter of courtesy, and passengers are not doing enough about it

One possible explanation for how the passenger made a call is Wi-Fi calling, which uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to make calls over the internet rather than through a cellular network.

Commenters on Yasmeen’s video were divided between curiosity about how the call was even possible and frustration over basic phone manners. “I don’t understand what some of ya’ll don’t understand. You are NOT supposed to be making phone calls while in the air!” one commenter wrote. 

The reaction from viewers showed that many people share the same annoyance when it comes to loud phone use in shared spaces like aircraft cabins. It is the kind of moment that can turn an otherwise smooth trip into a stressful one, much like a woman who broke down in tears on her first night away from home after things quickly went wrong.

Flight attendants like Yasmeen are responsible for making sure passengers follow FAA and FCC rules. They remind passengers to switch their devices to flight mode before takeoff and keep an eye on the cabin throughout the flight to make sure the rules are being followed. These rules are not just about courtesy; they are in place for the safety of everyone on board.

According to How Stuff Works, Penn State University professor Sven Bilén, who teaches engineering design, electrical engineering, and aerospace engineering, offered some context on the technical side of things. “Most planes nowadays are hardened,” he said. 

“There’s always the possibility of some adverse interaction, but it’s essentially a risk that the companies have tried to mitigate by hardening their electronics, by putting shielding around them.” While this is reassuring, it does not mean passengers should ignore the rules around phone use.

The FAA and FCC regulations around phone use on planes exist for good reason, and following them is something every passenger is expected to do. Using Wi-Fi calling may not violate the technical restrictions in the same way that cellular calls do, but using speakerphone in a cabin full of people is still widely considered inconsiderate and disruptive behavior.

People in service industries deal with all kinds of unexpected behavior from the public – a Miami bartender, for instance, was left stunned after witnessing an extraordinary single-night tip that completely changed her perspective on customer generosity.

Yasmeen’s video is a reminder that even small actions, like taking a loud phone call on speaker in a crowded plane, can affect the experience of everyone around you. Being mindful of fellow passengers and following the rules is the most basic way to make air travel more comfortable for everyone on board.