danapop

What I don't understand is why my Macbook air is not allowed on my lap but Mr. Pre-Med can have a anatomy and physiology text book out that weights more than my two year old.

jaysona

This is an ongoing issue in the industry, the term PED is not very well defined. For some people an iPad is a PED, others consider it to be bigger than a PED. Regulatory authorities and operators need to formally define what a PED is and is not. Until then, arguments and confusion will reign.

mendy7511

The SD on AC 208 announced the new rule a few times that only tablets and computers are allowed, no cell phones until after take off and cell phones must be completely off until then.

canadiancow

I had no problems on 879 ZRH-YYZ today. Even in Zurich, we were allowed to use PEDs.

yyznomad

Does AC actually inform their crews of new rules at all? Or do FAs just choose to read what they want to read?

May 28, 2014 AC001 New rule on the first day was recognized by crew.
June 4, 2014 AC856 New rule was not recognized - SD made standard old announcement that all phones and electronic devices were to be switched off for taking, landing, and taxiing. All FAs enforced what the SD said.

Is this discretionary? Did the FAs just crawl out from a rock and went to work?
Why is it so difficult for a new rule to be immediately communicated, understood, and then applied in a uniform fashion?
Do FAs get to make up their own rules?

So typical of AC. So typical.

yyznomad

Standard a$$enine discretionary rules that come from nowhere - pulled out of butt0cks. That's all.

yyznomad

Tomorrow I am on 869. Let's see how the crew applies the new rule (or rather, not at all).

Prewrappedbacon

On AC1177 on Friday, heard the SD mention the new arrangement via an announcement, so had my iPad out and was lectured by a FA when I had it out after the safety video. Whoops.

yyznomad

Did you not point out the SD's announcement that the lecture contradicted? What kind of lecture was this? Or was it a reminder to keep it on airplane mode?

Prewrappedbacon

FA said "Sir, you'll have to put your iPad away."

Me: "Oh really?"

FA: "Yes, all electronic devices have to be put away for take off"

Me: "Oh yeah? I had no idea"

FA: "Yes, it's been like this for years"

Me: "Okay"

Afterwards, I cornered the SD and asked him if I was losing my mind or had he announced that devices just needed to be on airplane mode. He then said he'd ensure the FA's on board were updated

yyznomad

Thanks for the play by play.

Maybe the SD could tell the FAs to listen to their own announcements for once. Just because of that, I would've taken my computer/ipad out for landing just to see what the same FA would say back to you. I would also preempt this by telling the SD that I would be doing so in advance

ylwae

AC 845 this past Sunday. Since the new rules came into effect, I've used my iPad during all phases of flight, on all sorts of aircraft, domestic and international, but on Sunday an FA told me to stow my iPad for landing because "iPads are the same as laptops".

I didn't get a chance to ask the SD because we were on final approach.

I sent a note specifically requesting clarification on AC's policy through the AC website. Someone from customer relations sent me several paragraphs outlining what airlines might do at their discretion and why electronic device policies are in place, but didn't tell me what AC's policy is.

I hate this airline.

YEG USER

Why don't you ask "the Bens?"

jaysona

This is the perfect example of what the issue is. The new announcement says that "large format" or "grande format" electronic devices need to be stowed. There is no printed definition (that I can find anywhere) of what constitutes a large format device. I have heard some announcements where the terms "such as laptop computer & ipad" have been added after the words "large format" but this - like everything else AC does - has been applied inconsistently.

I don't use any of those devices on my flights, so this is no skin off my nose, but I really dislike the vague rules implement by AC and the inconsistent application of those vague rules.

It almost seems like someone behind a desk decided to spend a few minutes over their lunch hour to come up with the new rules and announcements based on a checklist they received from TCCA. It appears as though very little thought was given to the implementation, application and impact of the application of the new rules.

Ben Lipsey

I'd just like to clarify what our policy is regarding this.

A good rule of thumb for acceptable devices are small PEDs that can be held or used with one hand, like most mobile phones, tablets or eBook readers; the iPad would fall into this category and CAN be used during taxi, take-off and landing, as long as receiving and transmitting functions are OFF. We are working on a new safety video, and this will clearly be outlined in that.

This policy was communicated to our cabin crews, but sometimes it takes a while for the message to dissipate to our 10,000+ staff. If you have issues, please let me know and I will follow up.