Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan - Turn off digital cameras too?

With all of the grief the AS chopping block is causing us lately this is hardly a big issue but still I am curious.

On AS 2011 last week SEA-MFR I had my digital camera out to take some pictures out the window on our departure (it was a beautiful morning in SEA). As we were taxiing, the FA barked at me from her seat to turn it off and that I could use it later. I did as I was told and later when we could use electronics she came over to me and told me that it is FAA reg's, that ANYTHING with an on/off switch has to be turned off. She further told me that if everyone on the plane had a digital camera on at the same time the FA's can sometimes get a shock using the PA/intercom. Seriously? I felt like I was being talked to like a child.

Now I have been on a flight or 2 or maybe it's closer to 2,000 and probably half of the time I have had my camera out taking pics or a video during depature and/or landing. I have NEVER been told to put it away and I have NEVER tried to hide that I was using one. I'd like to know somehow if they are allowed or not. Have I just been lucky to "get away with it" for all of these years or was this one FA a little over zealous. I'd like to use my camera if I can, I just don't want to get yelled at again, it was a little embarrassing.

You've been lucky to get away with it. We all take photos sometimes. They miss them on the checks before takeoff.

Anything with a battery must be turned off.

She further told me that if everyone on the plane had a digital camera on at the same time the FA's can sometimes get a shock using the PA/intercom. Seriously? I felt like I was being talked to like a child.

Well, if she's right, after the first sentence of the Credit Card announcement, we must all turn on our digital cameras (oh, please bring two if you have them) at the same time, and see what happens. :D:D:D

Well, if she's right, after the first sentence of the Credit Card announcement, we must all turn on our digital cameras (oh, please bring two if you have them) at the same time, and see what happens. :D:D:D

Hahahahahahahahaha! OMG, seriously, that's hysterical! Really! I'm not sure where she came up with that ridiculous idea but I think you're response is really funny.

You've been lucky to get away with it. We all take photos sometimes. They miss them on the checks before takeoff.

Anything with a battery must be turned off.

Some digital cameras also have a blue-tooth like connection that allows them to upload your pixs instantly to whatever time wasting social network you are hooked up to...

For that reason alone I can understand why the FAs would be advising folks to turn off the digital cameras in your possession...
Haven't heard anything about FAs getting shocked from everyone having their cameras on and clicking away at the same time....

You've been lucky to get away with it. We all take photos sometimes. They miss them on the checks before takeoff.

Anything with a battery must be turned off.

Well I guess I will just cherish all of those take off and landing videos even more so. ^

Ive done it many times. AS inflight magazine does not specifically mention cameras but some other airlines do. I always hide my camera well knowing regardless of whether its allowed or not someone will say its not.

I never put my camera away if I am sitting in the window seat. I've never been asked to put it away by an FA either. Sometimes I use my GPS during takeoff to determine the takeoff speed. Many times if I am by the window I will use my GPS to see how far we are from the destination. (hey, if AS won't put in IFE with gps maps, I'll just bring my own! :D)

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I never put my camera away if I am sitting in the window seat. I've never been asked to put it away by an FA either. Sometimes I use my GPS during takeoff to determine the takeoff speed. Many times if I am by the window I will use my GPS to see how far we are from the destination. (hey, if AS won't put in IFE with gps maps, I'll just bring my own! :D)

On AS GPS is prohibited :(

If I crash because of some lamea$$ photo of blurry stripes on the runway with flash reflection in the frame, I'm going to be P.O.'d at you guys! :p

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On AS GPS is prohibited :(

Really? On a recent AS flight while I was using foreflight on my ipad, the flight attendent was fascinated by the application and wanted to see for herself, never been bothered.

I think it's safe to say FA knowledge of, enforcement of, and personal adherence to the electronics policy varies somewhat. FWIW, here is what's official:

http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/on-board/onboard-guide.aspx?lid=nav:travelInfo-onBoard#electronics

I think it's safe to say FA knowledge of, enforcement of, and personal adherence to the electronics policy varies somewhat. FWIW, here is what's official:

http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/on-board/onboard-guide.aspx?lid=nav:travelInfo-onBoard#electronics

Personal adherence is true... frustrating to see F/A's using ipads before 10K feet (on a recent ANC-SEA flight)

I think it's safe to say FA knowledge of, enforcement of, and personal adherence to the electronics policy varies somewhat. FWIW, here is what's official:

http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/on-board/onboard-guide.aspx?lid=nav:travelInfo-onBoard#electronics

One of the items listed that are prohibited throughout the flight:

Hand-held computers or electronic devices receiving a signal (email, text messages, etc.)

This is dumb, I cannot connect my Blackberry to the in-flight WiFi to send email or text messages (BBM, Whatsapp, etc.)? They should clarify and say "cellular signal".

One of the items listed that are prohibited throughout the flight:

Hand-held computers or electronic devices receiving a signal (email, text messages, etc.)

This is dumb, I cannot connect my Blackberry to the in-flight WiFi to send email or text messages (BBM, Whatsapp, etc.)? They should clarify and say "cellular signal".


It is just not properly worded. You can buy Gogo for your mobile device.

It is just not properly worded. You can buy Gogo for your mobile device.

"Devices which transmit or receive a signal of any kind are prohibited in flight at all times. This flight is equipped with Gogo wireless Internet, available for the nominal fee of $12.95."

Ive done it many times. AS inflight magazine does not specifically mention cameras but some other airlines do. I always hide my camera well knowing regardless of whether its allowed or not someone will say its not.

You know what? It's this "hiding my camera well" thing that bugs me most. Honestly, I couldn't give a rip if you want to take pictures while we're taking off or landing, nor could the overwhelming majority of my flying partners. What I hate is when people act like I'm stupid and they're preying on my stupidity to do whatever it is they're hiding from me. 99% of the time we know what you're doing and we really don't care enough to start a battle over it. It's a matter of choosing our battles and you and your camera aren't a battle I'm likely to choos. If someone does ask you to put your toys away then just do them the favor of giving them one iota of respect and do it - you'll have a bajillion more opportunities later to take pictures and what not. Please.

On a separate but related not, whenever I see a You Tube video of a plane making an emergency landing I'm always stunned that someone values taking a video of the whole event over their personal safety. Let's face it - riding around in a bit metal tube at extraordinary speeds isn't the most natural thing on the planet and an emergency landing generally means something isn't going as planned. Why take chances? But that's just me AND I guess my watching the You Tube videos only encourage these folks to do this.

Solution: buy an old 35mm SLR or a clock-driven 8mm camera to fully and openly indulge your enthusiasm. Or simply sketch your takeoffs and landings :P Record sound on wax drums. Digitize media later.

FAA could also revise restrictions on near-zero threat devices and better isolate critical avionics from interference.

Solution: buy an old 35mm SLR or a clock-driven 8mm camera to fully and openly indulge your enthusiasm. Or simply sketch your takeoffs and landings :P Record sound on wax drums. Digitize media later.

FAA could also revise restrictions on near-zero threat devices and better isolate critical avionics from interference.

(bolding mine)

Ha! I still have both.

If someone does ask you to put your toys away then just do them the favor of giving them one iota of respect and do it - you'll have a bajillion more opportunities later to take pictures and what not.

Don't worry i'm not going to go Alec Baldwin on you if confronted. I know you don't make the rules only have to enforce them. I'm usually quick to put my tray table up, seat in the upright position and turn off cell phones and put my laptop away long before you make the announcement.


I think it's safe to say FA knowledge of, enforcement of, and personal adherence to the electronics policy varies somewhat. FWIW, here is what's official:

http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/on-board/onboard-guide.aspx?lid=nav:travelInfo-onBoard#electronics

It would be nice if this full list was in the inflight magazine. The directions given during the safety briefing refer to the inflight magazine as to whats allowed for use during flight and not to the website we don't have access to under 10K feet