.jpg)
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: News, US News, Travel, Plane Etiquette
Niamh Spence
A United Airlines pilot has reportedly called out a passenger for illegal behaviour during a flight.
Posting on Reddit, one person shared their unique experience in a thread titled 'Someone Smoked in the Bathroom' as they revealed their pilot gave a sharp address for one passenger whilst flying from Los Angeles to Chicago.
The pilot was forced to speak out after someone was reportedly caught vaping on board, which is a flying no-no and firmly against both United Airlines and the Federal Register's regulations.
The Reddit user revealed that the behaviour didn't go unnoticed by the pilot, who felt forced to speak out and shared a message over the airplane tannoy system.
Advert
They wrote: "About halfway through, an FA made an announcement reminding us that it’s extremely illegal to smoke or vape on flights."
The message from the pilot didn't just stop there, they then left a strong message for all who were travelling as they continued: "At the end of the flight, the pilot goes: There are 189 of you on this flight. While we make our final descent, please know we are going to be safe and sound, but that could have changed because one person decided to risk the lives of the other 188."
The Reddit user says the pilot also gave a stern sign off as they ended their tannoy speech: "You know who you are and your actions will have consequences."
Advert
The story has sparked the interest of Reddit users who couldn't believe the pilot was so pointed in his message to passengers, whereas some couldn't get over the fact that someone had even tried to smoke whilst in the air.
One person wrote: "How do they not know who was vaping? Would it not alarm right [away]? I like the pilot’s statement during the flight."
Another shared: "Some fool vaped in the last row thinking they were being discreet the other day. This was before we left the gate."
"Lots of smokers have a delusional belief that they can be discreet and no one will notice them smoking/vaping if they take some minimal precautions, like blowing smoke into a can, into a vent or through fabric. LOL," said a third.
Advert
A fourth posted: "I’m old so I remember smoking on flights. What was that logic? Like the smoke stayed in the back of the plane where it belonged."
"Some people are really that addicted to tobacco they can’t last a few hours … even on a short plane ride," said another.
It's strange to think a passenger thought smoking, even via a vape, would be OK given the strict regulations and rules around it.
Advert
According to the Federal Register, planes must have 'No Smoking' signs that a member of the flight crew can turn on and off to adhere to regulations.
The law also states: "Lavatories must have ‘No Smoking’ or ‘No Smoking in Lavatory’ placards conspicuously located on or adjacent to each side of the entry door."
A spokesperson for United Airlines responded to Fox News Digital when approached for comment, and directed them to their 'Dangerous Items' page. The webpage states: "The TSA allows: Common lighters in carry-on bags, E-cigarettes and personal vaporizers in a carry-on bag or personal item. We don’t accept: Torch lighters, E-cigarettes, and personal vaporizers in checked or gate-checked bags."
Texas travel industry expert Gary Leff also spoke to Fox News Digital as he explained: "Other passengers might think vapers are smoking a cigarette even though they aren’t.
Advert
"You can’t smoke on a plane. You can’t vape, either. The FAA has interpreted the prohibition on cigarette smoking to include vaping products, even though they’re quite different."
United Airlines declined to comment when approached by Tyla.