The perils of Cell-Phone Use 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
(http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/nplo504.html)
As if the UL about Cell-Phones causing Cancer and the innumerable incidents with Cell Phones and (insert choice of words) accidents hasn't proven those little eletric gadgets are walking minature deathtraps already...
A 19-yr old Chinese Man fell nearly 3 stories after realizing he was missing his cell-phone...and walked out of the wrong door to try and claim it.
At the Changi Airport, Singapore Airlines Flight SQ816 was scheduled to leave for Shanghai at 1:15 AM. when at 1:10 AM, the drama unfolded.
SIA staff announced over the PA system that a phone had been found at the security checkpoint and the phone could be picked-up by the owner at Door 1. The owner of the phone, our protagonist of the story, realized that he was phone-less.
However, the hapless owner walked out of Door 2 and found himself on the Aerobridge (the device that links the plane to the Building in many Major Airports across the world), and then back at the Boarding Area. In his haste, he took the wrong door and Staff eventually return the man's phone to him at the Boarding Gate.
At this point, the Gate Technician had closed off Door 2 with a simple chain and a sign stating that passengers boarding could use Door 1 to board the plane. By this time, boarding was almost complete and 5 minutes had elapsed.
The man with the now recovered phone decided to ignore the sign and chain, and fearing he might miss his plane, began to run down the chained-off Door and bolt the 20 meters to his plane.
The Gate Techie, hearing running while in the process of retracting from the plane, turned to see the man...running off the Aerobridge onto the Tarmac below.
For his act of stupidity, not only did the man almost lose his life over a cell-phone, he also delayed the flight by 50 minutes and his companions, whom were travelling with him, left him behind.
Was this all worth over a cell-phone?? Apparently to this man, he was more than willing to give up his own life for his phone...
Submitted on 05/29/2002
Submitted by:
AD Police
Reference:
Electric New Paper, 5/24/02
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