I have recently been at the receiving end of seemingly innocent terrorists! In the last four flights, I have been presented with the same phenomenon, namely, cell phone fiends. Let me describe just one. The flight is announced, the air hostess comes around and asks the gentleman on my right to put off his phone. He pretends to switch it off but instead keeps it in his pocket. The phone rings!! He picks it up, and proceeds to talk even as the plane is moving out of its docking place.

So I point out that he ought not to be doing this. He glares at me, continues to talk! I insist. He puts off the phone, and lo and behold the other passengers feel irritated with my insistence. So I say to the offender, "my life is more important than your call" he looks at me blankly. I hear him say "your life more important than my call!" The other passengers are saying "a moments peace is more important than safety discipline".

The same thing happens at every flight and one of these 'terrorists' then explains to me: "The airlines chaps don't know, only as the flight takes off must we keep the phone off." His laptop by the way is on as he is explaining this to me!!!