Blackberry/Air Canada Connection?
I noticed something new this week. On my flights between Moncton/Toronto/Ottawa, Air Canada’s flight attendants kept referring to Blackberries.
It was something along the lines of “please turn off all electronic devices; cell phones, laptop computers, portable CD players and Blackberries”.
A generic list of devices — no mention of PowerBooks, VAIOs, iPods or PalmPilots — but repeated, blatant plugs for Research In Motion’s Blackberry.
Now, I have nothing against RIM or their fine products (or Air Canada, for that matter), but is this for the benefit of the technologically-enabled but intellectually-challenged Air Canada passengers who are somehow unaware that their Blackberries are electronic devices (capable of disabling the sophisticated equipment on modern airliners, or not)?
Or (cue sinister music) is this just an ad? Nothing like a captive audience, is there? Not that anyone seems to pay any attention to anything the flight attendants have to say…
Update (November 9, 2004)
Air Canada’s mobility page also continues this trend, singling out the “RIM Blackberry” for special treatment. Oddly, though, the page redirects you to Air Canada’s home page after a few seconds:
From your Internet-enabled phone or wireless PDA e.g., RIM Blackberry, take advantage of Air Canada Mobile Services…
Deepening the ‘conspiracy’, I’ve a friend who’s noticed this ’special’ mention of Blackberries on Air Canada flights.
