Originally Posted by
RogerD408
As to being AA or FAA policy, it is FAA regulations that you must follow FA instructions, so does it really make a difference? And you know if you ask the FA they will say it's FAA rules.
From time to time, I have to explain the situation. The FAA has certain regulations that they issue. Each airline must file a plan on how they are going to implement the FAA regulations. The FAA then approves the plan. At that point, it does become an "FAA regulation" that the pax and crew must follow the plan. AA's plan might cover ALL electronic devices for the sake of simplicity. WN's plan might not cover noise-cancelling headsets. NW's former plan had something about all headsets must be stowed -- NOT on the your head. All of these are valid FAA-approved regulations for that particular airline.
If you want one common regulation, then blame the FAA for approving multiple, different plans and/or the FA's for not completely understanding the regulation and/or airline management for not explaining it clearly to the FA's, etc., etc., etc.