I understand what you guys/girls are saying. My point was the FAA can't bust you for company policy. But they can bust you for texting, or even playing games on your phone while in cruise.
And as far as careless or reckless, that's a loooong road to go down to make it stick.
The guidelines to make a case against someone are pretty strict.
BTW, UAL has removed that company policy. So now I can read without fear...
Sorry. Just got a bug up my butt about the FAA recently. Recently a friend told me a story of his observation ride. While PARKED waiting for the gate, he asked the inspector if he missed the flying. They chatted for bit until the gate opened up. As the inspector was getting off, he said to my friend he could've "failed" him for breaking "sterile cockpit".
1. You CAN NOT fail an observation ride from the FAA.
2. They were parked. NOT TAXIING. So they were not in a critical phase.
One of the MANY reasons I got out of the FAA when I was offered to come back to flying. Guys with big badges, thinking they know all, and most have never really flown the line.
Rant over...