Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Company Policy
On many aircraft the inflight wifi allows the use of specific messaging applications without buying the internet plan. This is becoming a problem; as more and more people are addicted to their phones. I'm getting tired of reminding first officers that they shouldn't be texting while flying. This isn't a generational thing -- I see it with old people; and I see it with young people. It's a phone addiction thing. Apparently some captains do it too; because the first officers tell me that some captains are okay with it. By allowing this free access; the company is putting those of us who like to follow the rules in an awkward position. Yes I'm the Captain and I have the authority and responsibility to prohibit this unauthorized and unsafe behavior; but I shouldn't have to exercise this authority on a majority of flights. Other pilots should know better. I suspect they do know better; but like I said it's a phone addiction thing. Deviance is being normalized here. The company should solve this problem by turning off free access to text messaging apps on the aircraft wifi. As it currently stands; they're setting us up for failure -- and that could mean a failure in crew communications; or it could mean a failure to fly the airplane.
B757 Captain reported the need to remind pilots it is in violation of the FAR's to text and fly. The Captain suggests the company shut off the free Wi-Fi inflight.