Jetairways prevents Shamit Khemka from using PED

Shamit Khemka

The Manager

Jet Airways

Delhi/Mumbai

Sub: Complaint about �I Phone� not allowed in IPOD MODE

Kind Attn. : Mr. Wolfgane Prock Schauer, CEO

Dear Sirs,

I have been flying Jet Airways almost since the inception of the airline. I have rarely travelled Economy prior to the flight today (where due to no upgrades available I was forced to fly economy). I have been a silver member & a platinum card holder for Jet Airways credit card. My itinerary details are PNR#GSKUFN & FFP 9W102104461 for the 9W913 dated 16/8/09 CCU-DEL at 5.25pm. After boarding the flight and after turning my mobile IPhone3G to flight safety IPOD mode, I waited for the flight to takeoff & captain to announce that it was safe to use the PEDs - IPOD, Computers. However the announcement never happened (failure in your suggested protocol and rules). Therefore once the seat belt lights were turned off, I proceed to plug in my headphones into the device & listen to music. To my horrow I was informed by Mr. Dem (the gentleman host) that using the device is against regulations. I told him that I was not using the phone & my PED was in IPOD status - I was only listening to music, however, he asked me to turn it off immediately (at 5.45pm). When I requested to see this rule he showed me the jet airways Boeing 737 700 safety instructions booklet that status. (As mentioned in the document as per aircraft AC71934) there was no where stated that an IPOD (PED) may not be used. When I requested for a list of approved PED (portable electronic devices). He curtly told me , �I am not permitted to show you this list as this is govt property & I am authorized to restrict you from using any device that I feel may endanger this aircraft�. When I further insisted to see the list of PED approved, he told me that the captain can inspect the device & approve it. I requested to speak to the captain and shortly Mr. Gerrad, came & informed me of the same rules �you may not use the IPhone in any Mode, �It is the law�. I am shocked by JetAirways rules and convoluted interpretation of the Indian Laws.

I ask you to consider today�s scenario where all major Domestic and International airlines are retro fitting all aircrafts with entertainment systems & even WIFI systems to allow on so and internet access! Infact recently it was published that airlines may start allowing cellphone usage on the aircraft in the near future! And jet airways claiming to be the finest in Indian skies is preventing me from using my IPOD because I am seated in Economy? I have sat in your business class scores of times & listened to my IPHONE fligh tsafe IPOD/PED and no one has ever asked me to stop using it let alone curtly. If jet airways really consider themselves a global player where is the entertainment on board - Let alone allowing passengers to use their IPods? I was sitting there for 2 hours non-productively staring at the back of a blue seat!

I hate to say this but if I am expected to take a 2 hour flight without permission to read an E- Book or listen to music on my PED, I will change my preference to Kingfisher or a more technically advance airline that uses common sense & friendly passenger custom service rather than curtly enforce archaic rules in their interpretation! I hold you responsible for a complete two hours of boredom & fatigue & horrid /No entertainment aboard 9W913 16/8/09. I don�t wish to convert to travelling with the �good times� (kingfisher) nor publicizing this matter further, if resolved, amongst my peers . If you write to me & confirm that common sense has prevailed & this will not be repeated hence forth on any Jetairways flight, I will drop this issue, alternatively pursue all methods legally available to me. Provide me proof of the written law in this respect which explicitly prohibits me from using my PED, not just an interpretation that suits the convenience of a rigid airline & crew which is technically backward!

I hope to hear back from you in 7 days, either by mail or �E-mail� if there is such a thing being used by Jetairways given the aversion to technology and progress. I will be happy to give you examples of usage of this device & other similar more modern technologies being used by other airlines should you prefer.

Most sincerely yours,

Shamit Khemka

CC: Shri Naresh Goyal

Comment On This

Dear Mr. Khemka,

I once again reiterate that till we receive any clear instructions from the DGCA for usage of mobiles in specific mode, we will not be able to make any amends in the current restriction on the usage of mobiles on board. Usage of mobile in any mode will be prohibited on board our flights. Request your understanding and support in this regard during all your future travels.

Thanks & Regards,

Manasi Padhye

Customer Relations

---- Forwarded by Customer Relations/Litolier/Jetairways on 27/08/2009 17:26 -----

Shamit Khemka <>

27/08/2009 17:01 To 'Manasi Padhye' <customerrelations AT jetairways.com>

Subject RE: Fw: Your Experience on Jet Airways. Shamit Khemka

The other type of passenger carry on electronic devices which is

not an intentional transmitter of radio signals such as laptop

computers, video cameras, electronic entertainment devices, electric

shavers, etc. should also be prohibited for use during taxi, take-off,

climb out, descent, final approach and landing phases of the flight.

No person shall use any electronic device, which intentionally transmits

radio signals like mobile/cellular phones, amateur radio transceivers, etc.

at all times while on board an aircraft for the purpose of flight.

Pls see these two. They allow for PED in flight safe more (which does not transmit ANY signals) to be used after takeoff when the laptops etc are allowed. Then why was I prevented from using my flight safe PED.

From: Manasi Padhye [mailto:customerrelations AT jetairways.com]

Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 4:52 PM

To: Shamit Khemka

Subject: Re: Fw: Your Experience on Jet Airways. Shamit Khemka

Our Ref No: BOM/CQ/MP/180809/3856344

27 August 2009

Mr Shamit Khemka

Synapse Communications Pvt. Ltd.

Dear Mr. Khemka,

Since there is no specific mention it is applicable for phones in all modes. Please refer to the below mentioned points and we are following the same.

Any passenger electronic device which intentionally transmits radio signals should be prohibited for use by passengers at all times while on board airplane.

These electronic devices include mobile/cellular phones, amateur radio

transceivers, CB radios and transmitters that control devices such as toys,

etc. The other type of passenger carry on electronic devices which is

not an intentional transmitter of radio signals such as laptop

computers, video cameras, electronic entertainment devices, electric

shavers, etc. should also be prohibited for use during taxi, take-off,

climb out, descent, final approach and landing phases of the flight.

This Civil Aviation Requirement is applicable to all persons on board all

Indian Civil Registered aircraft and to all Indian operators engaged in

scheduled and non-scheduled operations.

No person shall use any electronic device, which intentionally transmits

radio signals like mobile/cellular phones, amateur radio transceivers, etc.

at all times while on board an aircraft for the purpose of flight.

All operators shall by suitable means address passengers on board their

aircraft emphasising the above mentioned prohibition regarding the use of

mobile/cellular phones and other carry on electronic devices inside the

aircraft prior to commencement of the flight highlighting safety aspect.

3.5 Cabin crew, besides their other duties, during the flight shall keep a watch

on the passengers to ensure compliance of the above prohibitory

requirements.

3.6 Any violation of these requirements during the flight should be brought to

the notice of the Commander by the cabin crew and recorded in the flight

report book for subsequent action by the operator against the defaulting

person.

3.7 All operators shall include contents of this Civil Aviation Requirement in

their company policy document and other operational documents like

Operations Manual, Cabin Crew Manual, etc. for compliance by their

concerned personnel.

Regards,

Manasi Padhye

Customer Relations.

----- Forwarded by Customer Relations/Litolier/Jetairways on 27/08/2009 16:44 -----

Shamit Khemka <>

27/08/2009 16:29

To 'Manasi Padhye' <customerrelations AT jetairways.com>

Subject RE: RE: Your Experience on Jet Airways.

Dear Madam,

Thanks for your email. I would like to know where in the directives the govt. DGCA does it mention that mobiles may not be operated in flight safe mode?

Shamit Khemka

From: Manasi Padhye [mailto:customerrelations AT jetairways.com]

Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 4:03 PM

To: Shamit Khemka

Subject: Re: RE: Your Experience on Jet Airways.

Our Ref No: BOM/CQ/MP/180809/3856344

27 August 2009

Mr Shamit Khemka

Synapse Communications Pvt. Ltd.

Dear Mr. Khemka,

Appreciate your views. In fact many guests have communicated to us on this issue and our Air Safety Division had also shared the same with the DGCA. However, since there has been no revised update received from the DGCA on the usage of mobile phones / PED or any other electronic communication device we cannot exercise any discretion. Request your understanding of our position in this regard.

Regards,

Manasi Padhye

Customer Relations

---- Forwarded by Customer Relations/Litolier/Jetairways on 27/08/2009 15:55 -----

Shamit Khemka <>

27/08/2009 15:29

To 'Manasi Padhye' <customerrelations AT jetairways.com>

Subject RE: Your Experience on Jet Airways.

Dear Manasi Padhye,

I have gone thru the document you referred to (attached) and no where does this say that the PED may not be operated in flight safety mode. Infact if I am not mistaken the flight safety mode was introduced by most mobile manufacturers after this incident and Boeing/Airbus�s warning on the same. Pls advice.

Shamit Khemka

From: Manasi Padhye [mailto:customerrelations AT jetairways.com]

Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 1:49 PM

To: Shamit Khemka

Subject: Your Experience on Jet Airways.

Our Ref No: BOM/CQ/MP/180809/3856344

27 August 2009

Mr Shamit Khemka

Synapse Communications Pvt. Ltd.

Dear Mr Khemka,

Thank you for the support you have been extending to Jet Airways. It is our pleasure to have you as our valued frequent flyer member and to be of service to you.

This has reference to your letter dated August 16, 2009 sharing with us your concern over the request made by the cabin crew members to you on board flight 9W 913 from Kolkata to Delhi to switch off your IPOD in a flight mode.

To begin with, let me assure you Mr. Khemka that our cabin crew members had no intention to offend you or cause any inconvenience to you. They were merely following the safety regulations in place.

As a commercial airline we have to adhere to all the regulations given by the Civil Aviation Regulatory Authorities. Directorate General of Civil Aviation has determined safety standards for all airlines operating in India and we have to operate within that framework and follow them strictly as safety of our guests and equipment is of prime importance to us.

The aircraft manufacturing companies as well as the safety regulations prohibit usage of any electronic device on board a flight as it may affect or intercept the aircraft radio, navigation, control or communication systems. Hence we are only following the regulations in this regard given by the DGCA.

May I request you to please log on to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation web site for getting more further clarification and details on the subject in hand. The link is as follows www.DGCA.inc.in� Civil Aviation requirements- Section 5 � Air Safety � Series X � Part 1 - Safety Hazard � Use of Mobile/Cellular Telephones inside the aircraft during flight..

Thank you once again for sharing your experience and views with us. We value your support and look forward to your continued travel with Jet Airways.

Yours sincerely,

Manasi Padhye

Customer Relations.