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.