Well, it certainly seems like a B.S. rule. Either it applies to everybody or it doesn't apply at all.

Seems to me you ran across a jerk by any standard. So, sending a well-crafted letter up the food chain is entirely appropriate. In my experience, sending by fax gets the best response, YMMV.

FWIW, if you're dressed well enough to pass for a travelling businessman, use the excuse "I have my corporate laptop in here; if it leaves my possession I could be fired."