JATR4

On a flight from Chicago to Albuquerque on 29 May I was told by two flight attendants that I could not use my GPS even though we were at 36,000 ft. I showed the second FA the page in the United magazine that specifically allows such use. She supposedly then asked the captain and he said that GPS devices were not allowed--period!

Below is my email to United, the CSR response, and my terse response to customer service.

Anyone have any similar experiences or ideas on the subject?

My 1st email:

"Message: I was traveling on United flight 3468 from Chicago (ORD) to
Albuquerque (ABQ) on 29 May 2012. The aircraft was an Embraer ERJ-170.
We were at 30,000+ feet and I was using my Garmin NUVI 660--a GPS
device. A flight attendant informed that GPS devices were not allowed.
I assured him that they were and that I had used my GPS on many previous
flights. Shortly, another flight attendant told me that I could not use
the GPS. I turned it off but told her that I was certain it was
allowed.

I then looked in the United magazine and on page 129 it listed GPS as
one of the devices allowed above 10,000 feet. She then contacted the
aircraft captain (supposedly) and he also said that GPS devices were not
allowed.

When my flight ended in Albuquerque the person sitting in front of me
inquired about my conversation with the flight attendants. When I told
her about not being able to use my GPS device she informed me that she
was an off-duty United flight attendant and that I should have been able
to use the GPS.

I subsequently used my GPS on return flights from Phoenix and Houston on
United. In each case the flight attendants said that GPS devices were
allowed above 10,000 feet.

What is the truth about GPS devices? Are they or are they not allowed
above 10,000 feet? Is there a uniform United policy?

I have used my GPS on hundreds of flights on various airlines and this
is the only one where I have been told that it was impermissible to use
my GPS.

Is this the only flight crew in the United States that doesn't know that
GPS devices are allowed above 10,000 feet?

Awaiting your reply."

The idiotic response from the CSR:

" Thank you for contacting United Customer Care and our apology for the
delay with this response. I did see in our inflight magazine that GPS
devices are allowed above 10,000 feet. However, as a reminder that if
you listen to the safety demonstration video shown at the beginning of
every flight it does mention that you are to comply to all uniformed
personel instructions. Onboard the aircraft when your in the sky the
Captain is the sole authority as when your on a ship in the middle of
the ocean. And if the a uniformed crew member asks you to turn off your
GPS device you are required to comply.

Regards,

XXXX XXXX
Customer Care"

and my response to his infantile reply:

"This is an unacceptable response. The response to my question(s) requires information from someone outside customer service.
It is your job to get that information--even if it requires you to do some work. I don't want and will not accept a trivial answer
that the "flight crew is in charge." B.S. There is a United policy on GPS devices. That policy seems to be in the United magazine.
If that is not the United policy, it should be removed from the magazine. What is the United policy?

You failed to answer my question as to whether GPS devices are allowed or not allowed on United flights above 10,000 feet.
There has to be a United fleet-wide policy on this. You also failed to address whether this flight crew is aware of the United policy with respect to GPS devices above 10,000 feet. Is this the only United flight crew that is unaware of the United policy? All other flight crews seem to be informed of the correct policy.

I expect a better answer than you provided. If I don't hear from you by 10 July 2012, I will elevate this matter to a higher level.
And your name will most assuredly be mentioned.

I don't know what your level of experience is in customer service but I will NOT accept your answer. I advise you to consult with
your supervisor if you are unable, unwilling, or incapable of providing a cogent answer.

I want to know the United Airlines answer."