The FAA must follow the rules
N941WR said:
This evening on the flight back from DC (US Air 1733) I boarded, sat down, and turned off my cell phone. Sitting in 16C was a gentleman wearing an FAA ID badge who was playing with a very nice cell phone-PDA device. Like most passengers he holstered it after the last person was buckled in. Unlike most passengers, he never turned his phone off. I know this because just as the plane rotated his phone rang. He didn?t answer but neither did he turn off the phone.
An hour later as the flight attendants ?prepared the cabin for arrival they gave the normal call to ?turn off all electronic devices??. Now I?m watching this guy to see what he does. Sure enough, he is playing with his phone all during the approach (IFR in some bumpy weather.) and landing.
This is the 2nd time I have seen an FAA person leave their phone on for the duration of the flight.
Isn?t this breaking their own regulations? Should he know better? Could he get in trouble or have they become like cops? As long as you have a badge you can speed all you like.
Bill nicely written and well thought out. Yes we all should follow the rules, and the FAA is not exempt. I can tell you, FAA being people, individuals they don't always follow the rules, and they need to be called on it. I have had FAA in my jump seat and had to correct them. If I don't I'm breaking the law by allowing it. What to do as a passenger?
I would have politely addressed him directly or alerted the cabin crew. This happens to me all the time sitting in the back in uniform or not. I see passengers doing all kind of things. Most of the time I let it go. The airline however has to maintain the rules or be fined. I'm sure if you pointed it out to the senior FA (one on the last day of a 4 day trip), I bet he would never do that again.
There's that part in the PA about YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL CREW MEMBER INSTRUCTIONS AND FEDERAL LAW. Regardless if the cell phone is a FCC thing or FAA thing, on a part 121 aircraft its a federal law. He was in the wrong. Now most of the time sitting in the back I will not say or do anything, but IFR on approach? I don't care if he was actually talking or not. My guess is he was playing a game, nothing to do with national security. If a passenger does not comply on my plane, and we're on the ground, given multiple chances to correct and they don't, they're thrown off, done deal. People do not realize when on an airliner, you give up some rights, in the interest of public safety, basically the safety of 200 odd strangers in an aluminum tube 6 miles up.
I am not sure how you knew he was with the FAA or traveling on business or for pleasure. Regardless it does not really matter. The FAA have a greater responsibility than the general public. You can always talk to the lead FA or ask to talk to the captain after the flight. Let them decide. They can disregard it or file a report to the company. The management pilots will see it may take action. It may not be punitive. It could be as simple as the FAA reminding their personal follow the rules. You could still call or write the airline or FAA.
In your case IFR approach, I'd say something. If it was day VFR I might not be as concerned, but this guy was pretty blatant. There is always a struggle to decide to say something or not. We don't want to get anyone in trouble. I would have loved it if you would have told him he was in vilotation of federal law and must turn the PDA/phone off.
Since 9/11 the passengers are part of the (safety) picture. The FA's are strapped in and can't police the cabin on departure or approach. I have seen people get up and start unloading the overhead on approach. If would be very funny if it was not so potentially dangerous. I don't want a two 40 lb suitcases dropped on my head. I would have no problem to telling them to sit down. This applies to anyone, if you're flying commercial airline and see someone or something that looks wrong, weird or does not sound right, say something or do something, if its only pushing the overhead call button. The crew, at least a good one, is trained to listen to the passengers. They appreciate the help and will deal with it as they see fit. If you are not happy write the airline or FAA. There is nothing wrong with that.
