Tom P wrote:

There is no regulation that prohibits receiving devices
specifically.

Try discussing that with the flight attendant.

Over the past few days I flew between these airports (in no particular
order) on a combination of Alaskan and Air Canada:

SEA, YYZ, LAX, YVR

The inflight pre-recorded announcement on AC stated that I was to
disable any "transmitting or receiving functions" for any electronic
devices I might be operating in the plane. Horizon's pre-recorded
announcement went further by specifically saying that "AM/FM radios and
GPS receivers" can't be used in the plane at any time.

Naturally I ignored these directives at my leisure during these flights.

I also took some out-the-window video shots during take-off and landing
(if it happened to be during daylight) using my point-and-shoot
pocket-sized digital camera.

I had an exit-row window seat for all but one flight.

Tangent: I have this gut feeling that SEA airport is way larger than it
should be (in terms of terminal size, number of gates, etc) to
accomodate that area's airport needs.