Originally Posted by
ESpen36
The FAA regulation requires that devices be power completely OFF, not just put in airplane mode, for taxi, takeoff, and landing. Once the aircraft is above 10,000 feet (usually only 1,000 feet or so on short-haul flights, whenever the captain sounds the first post-takeoff tone), then passengers can use approved electronic devices, including PDAs, Blackberries, and cell phones that are in airplane mode.
Right, I understand that. I was responding more to the OP's thought that the person was texting or e-mailing throughout the flight (which IMHO the person was in fact doing) by saying they can actually have them on, just not transmitting, during the approved portions of the flight.