You're on the plane home for Pesach, but this time you left early because your brother is getting engaged.

The plane is taxiing.

"Please ensure all your electronic devices are switched off or set to Airplane mode. This is a mandatory safety requirement for all flights."

What now? The family group chat is active, everyone is live for the first time, and now you're going on Airplane mode?

Going on Airplane mode?! I’m turning on Airplane mode?

Or maybe I am already on Airplane mode? But if I turn it on, then I won’t be in the chat, or in other words...

Once again, like every day at 4:43, I arrive in Zal 13 minutes late to Girsa. Somehow, my Chavrusa and I always show up at the same time...

Or do we?

Well, today it doesn’t seem like he’s here, at least not as much as I am.

Duh, he’s on Airplane mode; he’s stuck, he’s mute, and even if I try to speak, it won’t go through. I’m also mute.

It’s Girsa again, and we are on a flight.

I’m here, but not being heard.

He’s here, but not quite listening.

How far does Airplane mode go?

And what’s the point of learning with someone who is on Airplane mode?

What’s the point of even sitting across from him?

And when it does go off, when does the flight land?

"Hello?! Did you hear what I said, or are you on Airplane mode?"

In my opinion, which probably doesn’t matter, 90% of people are on Airplane mode most of the time when they're on their phones.

And for the other time, they are on other modes.

Usually, he’s on Airplane mode.

If not that, in a case where he looks at you but doesn’t listen, then he is on AirPod mode with noise-canceling.

And if you get a half response, then he is on AirPod mode without noise-canceling.

So next time you come to the table, at least be an AirPod and turn off the noise cancellation.