FCC says 'no' to cell phones on planes

[one...two...tree 2,762]

AP

WASHINGTON - Striking a blow for cell phone lovers everywhere, a government agency on Tuesday said it will keep a rule in place that requires the divisive devices to be turned off during airline flights.

The reasoning behind the decision was technical. But the avalanche of comments the Federal Communications Commission has logged from airline travelers have been nothing short of visceral.

“These days it's impossible to get on a bus without at least one person hollering into their cell phone, invading the private space of everyone around them,” one member of the public wrote in an e-mail to the FCC. “That's bad enough when one can get off in 10 minutes. To have to suffer through HOURS of such torture, with nowhere to go and miserably cramped conditions — someone is going to explode.”

The agency has been considering lifting its ban on cell phone usage on airplanes since 2004. Unlike the Federal Aviation Administration, which bans the use of cell phones and other portable electronic devices for fear they will interfere with navigational and communications systems, the FCC's concern is interference with other cell phone signals on the ground.

Airphones installed in cabins use a special FCC frequency that operates outside the range of regular cellular phones.

In an order released Tuesday, the agency noted that there was “insufficient technical information” available on whether airborne cell phone calls would jam networks below.

Regardless of the reasoning, some passengers are no doubt pleased with the agency's decision. In an e-mail to the FCC, one person related the story of a “dimwitted young lady” who had a “most inane conversation” after his flight had landed.

“The idea of a person being a captive audience to someone yapping on the phone is simply a recipe for a lot of anger and a fair share of conflicts,” he wrote. The phones have been snapped shut for now, at least as far as the FCC is concerned. But the issue may come up again. The agency said it may “reconsider this issue in the future if appropriate technical data is available for our review.”

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The day they allow cell phone use on planes will be the day I'll avoid flying the best I can. Can you just imagine how bad it would be if everyone was allowed to use their cell while flying? What a nightmare...

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The day they allow cell phone use on planes will be the day I'll avoid flying the best I can. Can you just imagine how bad it would be if everyone was allowed to use their cell while flying? What a nightmare...

No doubt - those economy flights are bad enough already without someone's tedious yip-yap. And you'll always end up seated next to the person who has to shout into their cell phone.

[ajames79 0]

I wish I could afford to fly first class!

I think it will be horrible if they ever allow cell phones to be used on plans!!

I'd feel like poking most people between their eyes!

[Niels Bohr 72]

I always wanted to shut up a person using their cellphone in an airplane. If something happens, that person will be responsible for the death of over 100+ people by using it. Very scary.

[Dr_LHA 3]

I always wanted to shut up a person using their cellphone in an airplane. If something happens, that person will be responsible for the death of over 100+ people by using it. Very scary.

What are you on about? Have you seen people using their cell phones during flight? If so you should definitely call a stewardess.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Dr LHA,

You should know what I'm talking about. Of course there's a stewardess. But, you know, things like that make you nervous on a plane.

[Caladan 19]

If turning on a cellphone during a flight carried a serious risk of the plane crashing, not only would 9/11 not have happened, there is no way their "security precaution" would be asking people nicely to turn off their phones.

So you're so worried your plane will crash that you don't bother to call the flight attendant? I'm calling bullshit on this tale.

Edited April 4, 2007 by Caladan

[Niels Bohr 72]

Caladan,

There is no solid proof that cellphone is a problem. It's a precaution to avoid another problem onboard planes. But, by eliminating their use, it's easier to diagnose problems quicker increasing the chance of survival during a panic if there's one.

[Caladan 19]

You misunderstand me. I'm calling bullshit on the claim that you see people chatting in mid-air all the time.

I also think that if we really thought cellphones were a threat, we'd ban them from planes. We don't; it's more a precaution because we really don't know whether they'll interfere with the aircraft equipment, and we do know that people talking on cellphones on planes would be annoying as hell and that it will stress the towers on the ground.

[Mags 112]

That's a bonus for the London Underground too...no cell phones. I HATE listening to people who refuse to silence their buttons so all you hear is beep beep beep as they type messages. I hate that people need to try out new ring tones in public. I hate people who talk so loudly because they're trying to show off. I hate...aw well, you get the idea.