EFB (iPad) distrubution question

[pair_of_pratts]

We are days from starting our 6 month period of testing so we may remove all paper from the plane Jepps, Manuals, checklists, etc. We are issuing each pilot their own iPad but they sign a contract that states they will not install anything other then company, aircraft or FAA materials on the iPad. Each iPad is subject to check by myself or the DO at any point and if we find any non company specific material the pilot is fined $100 for each occurrence. The contract also states the pilot will return the iPad in the same condition, other then standard wear and tear, upon termination or resignation or he/she will have a lien in the equal amount to the iPad placed on the individual.
I know this all sounds extreme but this is an expensive item.

What do they have to do to go flying? If that's what is required for a $500 computer, I can't imagine what is needed for signing out a multi-million dollar aircraft...

 

[bailey3083]

So far every pilot has taken an iPad without complaint. It has and will help make us more efficient which means at the end of the year we recieve a larger bonus. I have no issues with my pilot group and everyone of them takes care of our aircraft as if it is theirs. I know this is not a popular decision among most of you but sometimes you have to make a hard decision and live with it. I do accept responsibility for what the company has done and have notified the President of the company my plans to renegotiate the company policy on iPads.
The company's response for the policy is that we paid over $16000 for the iPads not to include the hours of writing manuals, researching, developing training, applying to the FAA, testing and a whole host of other issues.
Again I know this is unpopular with most of you but I had to make a decision of continuing paying Jepp thousands of dollars every year for plates or taking this deal to move us into the 21st century.
Far as the pilot who was looking at porn, I found out and had a long talk with him but he continued. I warned him a second time when he was caught a few months later then on the 3rd occurrence my only option was termination. He was a good kid but on a good note I helped him get a job with another company.
I have no issues that none of you like this policy but I ask you respect my pilots as they have done nothing wrong but instead have operated every flight safely, efficiently and provided a great product to our owners.

 

[gern_blanston]

Well you certainly have an interesting organization there. Good luck.
I hope I never need to check a reference through you. Fire a guy for basically being stupid and violating company policy and SOPs and then recommend him to someone else?!?
Fascinating. If that's 'some of the best in the industry' I'd hate to see the worst. Or even the mediocre.
I mean if ever anyone deserved, as you said, a 'bitch slapping' I'd think it would be that guy. Again, good luck. It seems like you're going to need it.

 

[semperfido]

Sorry to disappoint you guys but it is a true company policy. I do trust my pilot group as they are some of the best in the industry but you as well as I know we can not just hand some one company owned material and say have fun. I had an FO I had to let go because he was browsing porn on his company issued phone.
Maybe other companies are lax on policy but we have rules to protect the individual as well as the company and my job requires me to follow those rules unless they effect safety, aircraft operation or the pilot group. I then work or fight with management to make changes. When I approached the company about converting to electronic means they only agreed to it if the before mentioned policy is in effect. I was stuck between staying with paper so I did not have to bitch slap the pilots or moving to a more efficient process. The savings and economics alone was enough to agree to the policy.
Sometimes you are stuck having to agree to something others disapprove of so you can move forward but there is time in the future, once I show how trustworthy my pilots are, that I can approach management to work out a better policy.
Back to the original posters question. You are best to issue the iPads to the pilot group then to an aircraft.

You are a flaming idiot. Glad I have never had to work for a dork like you. Pilots live on porn.

 

[BoilerUP]

...I would think the lack of Flash on the iPad would lessen the pr0n viewing...

 

[Rick James]

You are a flaming idiot. Glad I have never had to work for a dork like you. Pilots live on porn.

Prepare to be sent a $100 fine for porn, a $100 fine for name calling, a $100 fine for a bad attitude, etc.. Please turn in all your flight plans for audit, along with an involuntary search of your home. I hope you cleaned under the couch and sanitized your PC, I would hate to fire you, and then have to recommend you to another employer.

 

[semperfido]

Just another control freak on the loose. Ignore and press on.

 

[Kingairrick]

Bailey, Serious question:
What exactly does this policy protect the company/employee from?

Second; I hope you had a good labor and employment lawyer look at the fine stuff. I'm betting in most states you've got a problem there.

Third, and please take this as constructive critique, not flames, but I can't imagine the tension policies like this must create in your department. I picture someone walking in to the office: "OK everyone! Phones out for a porn check!" "So, Mr. Blutarski,...what's this? A cookie from climbto350.com? Hmmmm, interesting..." "When is you next review again?"

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Just not terribly uncommon in aviation....you become a manager by being the guy who is willing to sit in the office all the time and be a YES man to whatever policy comes around. Random inspections and fines for non company stuff on iPads. Thats the best thing I have heard of yet.

The funny thing is these guys often really think that the pilot group actually likes them, and understands they are just "doing the hard job that nobody likes to do"...You just cant get further out of touch than this. SOP - they always blame thier absurd behavior on management above.

If I ever found myself sitting in an office with enough time on my hands to check peoples iphone and ipad browsers for fapping material.....I would literally kick my own a$$.

 

[FO4life]

Wait....Wait......Wait a second. Let me get this straight! You can get Porn on your phone????? I can finally ditch the laptop!! WWWOOOOOHHHHOOOOO.