The No Smoking Light

Here’s my thought on airplanes.  Maybe instead of having that no smoking light that is always on, they should exchange it for a light that indicates when you can or can’t use your electronic devices.  I mean, come on, how long has it been since you’ve been able to smoke on a flight in the continental US?  They don’t have a no cell phone light up there, reminding you through the entire flight that you can’t use your cell phone.  Isn’t the purpose of the light to let you know when you can and can’t do something?  What is the point of having a light that stays lit the entire trip just to remind you that you can’t smoke?  Electronic devices, however, you can use during some portions of the trip.  How about a little light for the electronic devices?  Then when you are listening to your ipod or watching a movie on your laptop, you will know when it is time to turn it off.  As it is now, every time you hear a ding (if you hear it), you have to pause the music, and listen really closely.  Then, because your ears are stuffy and they don’t seem to instruct the pilot on how not to hold the intercom microphone directly onto his mouth, all you hear is, “Fank fou for ffffff flight.  We fwill ffdesent. . . ffturned offffand stowed.”  Then a bunch of people all with one of their headphones out look at each other and shrug their shoulders.  Next thing you know the steward person comes and admonishes everyone for not turning off their electronic devices and putting their seats in their upright position.  But thank god, that light was shining the entire way, reminding us not to smoke, so no worries there.  And just in case you’ve forgotten, it is a federal offense to mess with the smoke detectors in the bathroom.  Enjoy your flight.