Which actions are considered violations of the sterile cockpit rule?

The sterile cockpit rule is designed to minimize distractions and maintain full attention on the flight operation during critical phases of flight, specifically from taxiing through 10,000 feet of altitude during ascent and below 10,000 feet during descent. Each of the actions listed in the question represents a violation because they divert attention from the flight tasks at hand.

Conducting a departure briefing while taxiing can be viewed as a violation since it involves multi-tasking during a phase when pilots should focus solely on the aircraft's movement on the ground and maintain situational awareness, particularly in relation to other aircraft and ground personnel.

Using a laptop to check a fantasy football team clearly detracts attention from flying duties and poses a significant violation of the sterile cockpit rule. This activity could lead to delayed responses in critical situations and distract from monitoring instruments or communication pertinent to flight safety.

Drinking coffee while intercepting the glideslope may seem relatively benign, but it still represents a deviation from the sterile cockpit rule. The focus should be entirely directed towards managing the aircraft and responding to any changes in flight conditions, rather than engaging in personal activities that could compromise attention.

Each of these actions underscores the importance of maintaining concentration during critical flight phases. Thus, recognizing that all the mentioned activities