[jdlshore]

Stowing large electronic items (bigger than a cell phone) is a safety requirement, and it’s likely that flight attendants have much less leeway in safety requirements than other aspects of the job.

(Please note that I’m not arguing that’s it’s a reasonable requirement, just that FAs likely don’t have the authority to ignore violations.)

[FredPret]

If the plane crash lands during takeoff, all that stuff might catch fire/get in the way of a quick exit for the passengers crawling out