No phones on planes? What’s up with that? They say that your phones could cause electromagnetic interference, but that would also involve weak or nonfunctional shielding equipment on the part of the airline. It’s more likely that the crew is simply trying to get your attention for their required safety announcements. While this procedural aspect may seem ridiculous from the consumer point-of-view, it makes sense from the viewpoint of someone whose job it is to worry about the safety of the customers. Many people complain about this hindrance, and it is without doubt a good reason to get annoyed, but safety should always be taken to account, especially when both lives and expensive equipment are at stake.