[geostupid]

Ha! I've used a high-end GPS to see my location and other fun facts in flight. I learned to keep it in my pocket as despite my attempts to explain it was only a receiver, I was told by the flight attendant to "PUT IT AWAY." Not being one to push back as to be removed for that flight, I did just that.

Streets and Trips was fun on a laptop for long car drives as you could live reroute in the car much like any old app can do these days but seemed somehow magical back then.

[joezydeco]

FAs can be really strange about that kind of stuff, not just out of ignorance.

My kid liked to suction cup his GoPro to the window to take a time lapse movie of the flight and one FA told him he had to take it off the window because he was, and I quote: "modifying the structure of the aircraft and that's not FAA-approved".

[buildsjets]

There has been a lot of debate in the aviation maintenance community regarding the legality of attaching gopros etc. to aircraft with suction cups. Someone eventually wrote to the FAA chief counsel and asked.

"Another consideration, in the case of this type of equipment, is the applicability of the term "alteration". FAA Order 8110.3 7E, defines an alteration as "a modification of an aircraft from one sound state to another sound state". The use of suction cups, or other temporary methods of attachment (not including permanent mechanical attachments to the aircraft), would not be considered a modification to the aircraft."

https://mypilotpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/FAA-Camera...

But still, the aircraft is the the airline's property, not yours. If they tell you not do something to it, you don't get a choice in the matter.

[wolverine876]

I would guess that the flight attendant is doing their job. They do not have the authority or expertise to risk the airplane based on their own analysis, or based on some random passenger's explanation. The clearly correct solution is to remove the device and then there is no risk to the plane. I expect they are strictly required to respond that way and have no leeway.

[edrxty]

Had this happen to me with some duct tape and a malfunctioning strobing light next to me on a red-eye. I'm an aircraft builder but she didn't want to hear my explanation about how TSOs and the FARs work. I just waited until they stopped paying attention.

[bunabhucan]

Probably just didn't want kid spit on the window.