As this is a public forum, I won't go into FFDO specifics, but no "backpack" has ever been required, especially now,...... nuff said. And yes a backpack looks very unprofessional. Also, there is some unwritten IPOD etiquette. Listening seated at the gate for a long wait is one thing. Walking down or up the jet-way, earbuds installed, trying in vain to sing along with Britney is something else entirely. It screams "my responsibilities are not important, or not important to me." Either way, it's not the image we should be projecting. Before you ask, yes, I am the arbiter of such things.