"Mark James Boyd" wrote in message
news:40252d39$1@darkstar...

Both part 91 and part 121 seem to give a lot of discretion
to the PIC, and therefore his crew (including the
stewarde...er. Flight Attendants).

Actually, it gives that "discretion" to the certificate holder, which in the
case of a Part 121 airline is certainly not the PIC, it's the airline. All
121 (and probably 135)airlines have policies for PED, some are different
from others and all flight and cabin crews know their airline's policy on
PED use. That's why some airlines (mostly all these days) allow you to turn
your cell phone on after landing, but prior to parking at the gate - and
others do not. It's up to the airline and their written policy.

Not long ago some guy got popped for text-messaging on his cell phone
inflight, most people are not aware that non-certicated individuals can
receive a civil penalty as the result of an enforcement case involving 14
CFR (what we know as the "FAR's"). I don't think he did any hard time, but
maybe they made him clean the lav grinder or some such suitable punishment.

Part 91 rules are out of my league.

Jim