Don't worry, he'll be an outside of flow hire at AA within a year cause that is just what AA does with these types of people.

So let me get this straight, if you are an airline pilot, you can take cockpit photos as long as it is a digital camera with no wifi, or a hipster Polaroid film camera?

Yes. Same rules as using your cell phone.

The rule wasn't written with cameras in mind, that was collateral damage, they were trying to account for texting, online activity, etc. Politicians got involved after a NW crew overflew their destination at FL350 while sleeping, and blamed it on being distracted by a laptop.

Or kindles for that matter... technically it's OK to read a paperback but not a kindle.

I see, good to know thanks for the response

In the real world flying the line, easily 75-80% of guys (including some checkairman by the way) do not technically abide by this reg since they use their phones to take pics and sometimes play other games. At cruise though, not below 10,000.

Heck, I'm not even sure most know it exists thinking they only are prohibited from doing such below 10.

Won't argue any of that.

Be aware that if there's an incident and you're using the pax wifi, they WILL find that out. If you don't use wifi, they probably have no way of knowing.

Also at least one major I'm aware of has software which will flag you if login into any company systems which are not approved for inflight use (example bidding system). So don't do that.

As long as the paperback is “company material”. A lot of FOMs have that stipulation. All unenforceable unless some idiot takes pictures with their “legal” camera….

Cameras are not always legal. Qx prohibits use of any personal devices from 20 min before departure

a few years ago, there was some male Karen who was going through pilots Instagram feeds, looking for pictures that were taken in flight and reporting them to the FAA. And of course, these pilots were investigated.

Point is, do not be stupid up there. It's one thing to read "company material" or even use your disconnected phone to catch up on company material. But if anything gets dorked up, you can bet the FAA and your company will ask for your phone immediately to make sure you weren't on the WiFi.

(edit) found the article.
https://qz.com/233165/the-pilots-of-...es-of-the-air/

Yes, FOM's are often more restrictive than the FAR's in that regard.