Can't use Treo 600 on an airplane ?

[reddybiggs]

Hello all,

I have been using a Treo PDA/phone for 2 years now. I fly quite a lot, and I have typically read newspapers and magazines on Avantgo on my Treo while in flight.

In 2 years, I have only had one problem, a trainee from Delta, who later came back to apologize when her supervisor explained to her that the phone part could be turned off while in flight.

Today, it got ugly. A flight attendant on Southwest insisted that I couldn't use a Treo 600, even if wireless mode is OFF, at any time after the boarding door is closed. He referred me to the inflight magazine for proof.

The inflight magazine says you can't use a phone, but you can use as PDA. However he pointed out that the top of the section says you have to obey the orders of the flight attendant, so he had the trump card on me there.

When I pointed out that I ALWAYS use a Treo when I fly, I fly several times a month, and literally hundreds of flight attendants have watched me use the Treo on Delta, Continental, American, and Southwest. His reply was that they were all misinformed or not doing their jobs properly.

At the conclusion of the flight I talked with the pilot. He tells me that his understanding was that Southwest did not allow the use of a cellphone, even if the cellphone part was off, during flight. He also understood that it appeared to make no sense, and said it was an FCC (not FAA) requirement. He said I was the second person this week to complain to him about it, and he took my name & address to forward on for incident reporting.

I use Southwest so much I get lots of frequent flyer coupon on it. If the other airlines in our area have a more common sense approach, I'm going to start using them more.

[reddybiggs]

After sending a letter to Southwest Customer relations, Southwest in effect tells me the flight attendant was wrong.

I quote

"As such, as long as your Treo 300/600 PDA is in the "phone off" position, it is permissible to use the electronic functions during your flights (after our Flight Attendants have indicated that it is okay to do so).

...Sincerely, Josh Morse "
Representative, Customer Relations

I'm carrying the letter in my travel bag. I've scanned in the letter, so if anyone wants a copy, feel free to email me: reddy at amarillomed dot com.

[millerhifi]

Hey thanks for the valuable info!

I fly SWA quite often and have never really been bothered but once. Same scenario as you. :confused: I was really annoyed...
I'll take a copy of your letter. Sending you an email now.

Thanks

[chris]

I'm flying SWA tonight to sunny Florida. I've never had a problem using my Treo..but you never now. Better to be safe..than sorry. Thanks! ;)