Is the Fitbit considered a "PED

[Miuwtant]

Good Afternoon!

I am a Train Operator for the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), and for the last several years, since the deadly train crash in Southern CA., there has been a push by the CA Public Utilities Commission to get rid of "PED's" (Cell Phones, heahphones, bluetooth, mobile games, etc.) from cabs.  Recently, management put out a new rule that included Fitbit Fitness Trackers in this category.  That we cannot have them on our person while operating.  They have to be shut off and stowed, like our cell phones, in our backpacks. 

Now, my understanding of these devices is that if the phone is turned off the are essentially a digital watch.  Am I wrong?  Can these devices "communicate" in ANY other way, with ANYTHING other than the phone that they're paired with?  I know that there are devices out there that are capable of being used independently as a phone, SEPARATE from an ACTUAL cell phone, to make calls and text, but from what I've learned from using my Fitbit Blaze, it can't do that. 

I would appreciate a response from a representative from Fitbit as well as other users of this forum.  Maybe I can submit the response to my union and maybe they can figure out what to do with it.  Sometimes management makes, what we call "knee jerk" reactions to situations that are just stupid. 

Thank you in advance for ALL of your responses!  They are much appreciated!

Brian Panzer

Train Operator, Bay Area Rapid Transit District

[WendyB]

Welcome to the forums Great to have you here!

Might want to consider setting it up on the computer

http://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1873

Hope to see you around the forums! Join in on the discussions forums!

[Colinm39]

@Miuwtant. I can understand what your Management are trying to do.. Distractions and even with a Fitness watch there is still the desire to want to tap the watch even though you aren't syncing with your phone.

To add some humour to the post... I'm too old to drive a train but I have Bluetooth hearing aids.. 😊

Did the Management include the likes of Apple in the devices.?

[RobertoME]

Hello @Miuwtant, welcome aboard to the Fitbit Community. I've seen you have received great opinions from @WendyB and @Colinm39.

I agree with @Colinm39 comments and I can understand why are in place these new regulations in public transportation. 

To answer your concerns, the Fitbit tracker will not look any signal if there is not a Bluetooth source to pick it up the data (In the case your phone's Bluetooth is Off). Is like you said before, the tracker will stay as a digital watch since it wont transmitting data to your mobile device through Bluetooth signal.

Additionally to this, your tracker wont't look for other Bluetooth sources if is not paired to that mobile device, so rest assure your information wont be uploaded though other devices that could be nearby.

Hope this information helps. Catch ya later!

[bbarrera]

@Miuwtant sorry, sounds like you are fighting a losing battle 😞

I know another train operator, and looked up the ruling and the PED category is pretty broad and includes devices like MP3 players and handheld games, which like Fitbit trackers also do not require Internet or a cellphone connection for operation. The only exceptions are hearing aids (Rx), RTA radios, and protection devices - and Fitbit is clear that the Blaze and other trackers are not medical devices.

Here is the official definition of PED:

http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/GENERAL_ORDER/146010.htm

[FitnessRafi]

But you can have FitBit Flight on the Charge 2???