No, you're the one who thinks you and your working time are more important than obeying the instructions of the cabin crew. I'm with alanR on this - just turn it off when you're told to - but I don't expect that you will ever agree.

Disobeying instructions just because one thinks they're stupid is also evincing the attitude that one knows better than the crew. Few people have the luxury of genuinely being in that position, and being a frequent passenger doesn't in itself count.

Hi, I've been lurking around FT for nearly a year, and finally have become bored/moved enough to post.

The regulation is that electronics must be powered down when below an altitude of 10,000' mean sea level. The flight deck crew gives the two or four bells signifying this altitude usually right when they're at that altitude on the climb or descent. It definitely will vary depending on the flight and the airport, because we aren't always instructed to descend below 10,000' at the same place. For instance, NY approach may instruct us to descend below 10,000' quite a distance from the airport. In the back of the aircraft, it may seem as if the "put your laptops away" call is premature on those flights because the descent happens some time before landing. On the other hand, some airports are notorious for leaving aircraft high and "slam-dunking" them in at the last minute. These aren't always the high altitude ones, either. ATL often leaves aircraft high when the weather is good, then asks them to do a steep descent into the airport. MCO does this, too. In those cases, the below 10,000' notification may come with barely enough time to put your laptop away before landing.

Why is it important? 10,000' is seen in many different FAA regulations. Passenger jet aircraft typically don't descend below that until the final stages of an approach. Below 10,000' is always a relatively critical phase of flight. There is more traffic down there, there are speed restrictions on all aircraft, and the flight deck crew is supposed to be sterile (the pilots can't talk about anything except the flying). Hence, the reason that electronics are supposed to be turned off below that altitude. If a device is going to affect an ILS needle or cause a burst of static in a headset at cruise altitude, it's not a big deal. At 4,000' in busy airspace, it is a big deal. We all know that there's only a slight chance of that happening, but it's an easily avoidable chance.

PLEASE do not squabble about high-altitude, etc. Turn it off when told as this may be when the cabin crew is to be seated....therefore a check must be done visually beforehand.

The FAA has a minimum altitude and airlines may have their own set of regulations which are MORE conservative.

Do not jeopardize the safety of your aircraft.

The FAA does not specify any altitude below which PEDs must be switched off. The regulation tasks the airline with ensuring that interference does not take place. It is up to the airline to determine how they will restrict the use of PEDs in order to comply with that rule.

It is final approach, below 10,000 ft. As a F/A, I make an announcement at initial," For those of you that are using a laptop computer, now would be a good time to start powering them down, we will be asking you to shut them off in just a few minutes", this usually works well, since it does give them time to save thier work and turn it off in time for final descent.

Upon reviewing the regs as they pertain to 121 carriers, Larry is correct and I apologize. I was thinking of 91.21, which is the applicable regulation. It states:

(a)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may operate, nor may any operator or pilot in command of an aircraft allow the operation of, any portable electronic device on any of the following U.S.-registered civil aircraft:
(1) Aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate; or
(2) Any other aircraft while it is operated under IFR.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to—
(1) Portable voice recorders;
(2) Hearing aids;
(3) Heart pacemakers;
(4) Electric shavers; or
(5) Any other portable electronic device that the operator of the aircraft has determined will not cause interference with the navigation or communication system of the aircraft on which it is to be used.
(c) In the case of an aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate, the determination required by paragraph (b)(5) of this section shall be made by that operator of the aircraft on which the particular device is to be used. In the case of other aircraft, the determination may be made by the pilot in command or other operator of the aircraft.