United has decided to create a new policy for personal beepers, cell phones and pagers.  From now on those devices "may not be used at any time by uniformed flight attendants while on the aircraft, in briefings or while walking through the terminal."

The policy goes on to state, "While permissible to use cell phones in gate areas, flight attendants should be mindful of their surroundings and only use them out of hearing range of customers."

Now I dislike cell phones more than anyone I know...and those of you reading In Our News for the past year, especially 2000 Year End Wrap Up, probably already know that.  But this new policy goes too far.

First of all, what about the pilots  and CSR's who talk on cell phones while walking through the airport wearing United uniforms, also representing UAL as we do?  Will those employees also not be allowed to talk on the telephone while walking?  That sure isn't made clear in this new policy.

Secondly, when it comes to talking on the telephone or answering a pager, what the hell is the difference between walking through the airport versus standing in the gate area?  Why is one allowed but not the other?  Where is the logic in that?  If anything, I'd rather someone gabbing on a cell phone walk quickly past me then have to be standing next to him/her waiting for a flight!

Thirdly, what if the crew desk is trying to reach a standby reserve walking through a terminal or standing in line at, say, the x-ray machine?  In today's typically overcrowded airports, is that reserve then not allowed to answer their pager or phone unless they are able to locate and go stand in some busy gate area?

Of all the regulations that come from WHQ, this is one of the more questionable policies I've seen yet.  And it's a bit silly also.  With everything that's going on right now, this is what is being given serious concern?

That tirade aside, cell phones and beepers should not be allowed in briefings---I do agree with them on that one.  Nor should they be allowed by working crew on the aircraft, and Onboard Service is 100% right to make that rule.  And there should be policy language about not 'talking loudly' and 'being respectful' of one's surroundings.

But this nonsense about not using a pager/cell phone while walking through the terminal vs. standing in the gate area is just plain overkill.  It's a perfect example of how a department manager can take a good idea for a reasonable company employee policy and go way too far---antagonizing the employees further with its absurdity and flight attendant-specific prejudice---and probably generating opposite results, namely the use of cell phones even more.

You can read more about this new policy in May's Inflight Handbook revision.