AN MD80 FLT ATTENDANT MADE A SAFETY SUGGESTION THAT PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES (PEDS) BE TURNED OFF PRIOR TO BOARDING ACFT AFTER A CONFRONTATION WITH AN UNCOOPERATIVE PAX ON A FLT FROM IAH TO DFW.

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THE PA TO DISCONTINUE USING ELECTRONIC DEVICES WAS ALREADY GIVEN SEVERAL TIMES. I WALKED THROUGH THE CABIN TO MAKE SURE NOBODY WAS USING THEIR ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND THAT THE ONES OUT WERE OFF SO THAT FLT ATTENDANT #1 COULD SHUT THE COCKPIT DOOR. WHEN I WENT BACK TO MY STARTING POS FOR THE SAFETY DEMONSTRATION; PAX SEATING IN FRONT OF ME IN COACH; WAS USING HIS BLACKBERRY. I TOLD HIM ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES NEEDED TO BE OFF. HE SAID IT WAS OFF; BUT CONTINUED TO SCROLL AND TOUCH ICONS (I GUESS TO OPEN DIFFERENT MENUS). ACR HAS NOT KEPT THE FLT ATTENDANTS UP-TO-DATE ON ALL THE NEW ELECTRONIC DEVICES. I ASKED HIM IF IT WAS OFF; THEN HOW IS HE STILL USING IT? HE TOLD ME; ONCE AGAIN; THE PWR WAS OFF. I DIDN'T FALL FOR IT. MEANWHILE; THE OTHER FLT ATTENDANTS HAD STARTED WITH THE SAFETY DEMONSTRATION. WHEN I REALIZED PAX WAS NOT GOING TO COOPERATE; I GAVE THE FLT ATTENDANTS THE 'CUT' SIGN SO THEY WOULD STOP THE DEMONSTRATION. AFTER FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH PAX; HE FINALLY SAID; 'WELL; THE WIRELESS PART IS OFF' AND HE SHOWED ME. I TOLD HIM THE DEVICE NEEDED TO BE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF AND THAT HE NEEDS TO LISTEN. HIS REPLY WAS; 'WHAT?' THEN THE PAX ACROSS THE AISLE TOLD PAX THAT HE NEEDS TO LISTEN. FINALLY; THE DEVICE WAS TURNED OFF. THE DEMONSTRATION WAS DONE. NO FURTHER PROBS. TO HELP CORRECT THIS; WE NEED TO GO BACK TO TURNING OFF ELECTRONIC DEVICES 10 MINS BEFORE DEP INSTEAD OF WHEN THE ACFT DOOR CLOSES. ALSO; WHEN I AM FLT ATTENDANT #1; I FIND I HAVE TO WALK THROUGH THE CABIN TO MAKE SURE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE OFF; LEAVING MY 2 ARMED DOORS UNATTENDED. SO; IT WOULD ALSO BE SAFER.