From MobileCrunch:
US Lawmakers are sick of people sitting on airplanes, talking about all sorts of private matters while waiting for the plane to taxi. After a round of story-telling on conversations they’ve overheard in the past, the House of Representatives has voted to upgrade the FAA’s ban on in-flight cell phone usage to “Permanent” status.
On one hand, I’ve felt their pain: a few plane trips ago, a girl three seats from me was proudly divulging how sick she’d been a week prior. I’ll spare you the nitty-gritty, but it involved poop and pants. On the other, it’s not everyone’s fault that a few people can’t remember to not talk about poop in public. Taking their cell phones away isn’t going to make them any more courteous.
The real sad aspect to all of this is that we live in a society where we can not ask a stranger to STOP.
Any criticism can lead to an argument or offend someone.
We would not have to have these blanket rules if people were just a little more aware of the effects of their behavior on their neighbors OR if people could accept criticism without getting outraged
Imagine how different the world would be in term of rules if we could ask someone to cooperate – and they complied
So now we have pages and pages of laws and rules because we are afraid to talk to anyone – even our co workers or friends
Talking about getting sick on the phone? I’ve heard worst – have you ever had to listen to someone fight on the phone next to you and then have to sit next to them for hours and hours?
Think of how awful flying is – you are crammed into the cabin, it’s hot, kids are crying, the flight is shaky. Now think about the person who doesn’t know how to control their voice sitting on the other side of their plane talking with a headset on staring into the distance. You will hear a constant barrage of flight updates of “hi honey, yeah, the flight is bumpy and the food has been bad” or after a captain says there is a delay, every person would pick up their phone and call. Allowing cell phones on planes will unleash a fury of air rage and stress.
Email, twittering, IMing, whatever can be silent. Speaking cannot. The government may actually pass decent legislation here.
If they don’t you never know, instead of smoking/non-smoking sections, airlines may want to put together cell/no cell sections.
The “Halting Airplane Noice to Give Us Peace Act of 2008″, as it’s called, bans private cell phones but not the airline’s equipment (so do they want people to be quiet or try to gain some extra money?)
What will happen with “Wi-Fly”? how long until they find a way to make a call through Skype or some other VoIP.
What to do…it’s the great debate of convenience to the passenger but at the risk of being a total nuisance to the next guy…
This could be a good thing, because some people keep talking even though they are told to turn off their phones and electronic devices. This should keep them following the rules. I don’t think there is really a need to be talking on the plane… I mean you could have the conversation 5 minutes before you get on the plane.
http://blabtech.blogspot.com
Nice decision for the security reasons….
Free speech issue. No valid argument for the airline to charge so long as they don’t add any type of service. If there’s not a security risk, the right to make a phone call and communicate is the users.
Not a huge fan of the idea. As is sitting next to a smelly, overweight passenger spilling into my space is bad enough. Add a cellphone and i’ll probably prefer a row boat BUT it’s not a question of comfort. It’s a question of legality and rights.
There is a huge difference between airlines asking customers not to use their cell phones while in flight and imposing federal legislation.
I can think of about 100 different things Congress should be worrying about (well at least 3) that truly matter and affect our lives. It doesn’t matter what anyone’s personal opinion is on using a phone on a plane. Banning cell phone use simply because it’s a nuisance when there’s no public safety issue is none of the government’s business. Let the airlines set and enforce their own rules.
What’s next? Banning babies who cry a lot?
“What’s next? Banning babies who cry a lot?”
Sounds like an excellent idea!
Just an FYI – it didn’t pass the House of Representatives – it passed the Transportation Committee in the House of Representatives. It still needs a floor vote and subsequent sub-committee then committee than floor vote in the Senate and then be signed by the President. Take it from it isn’t passing anytime soon.
Lets extend this to movie theaters and public transportation.
And while you are at it. Please dont bring kids to movies.
Personally, I’d rather see the airlines treat cellphones like they do firearms — require them to be in checked baggage, the battery pack in separate luggage, and declared at check-in.
Is this really such a big problem? I travel all the time and problems with people on their mobile phones for the 20 minutes the plane is taxiing is the least of my concerns.
First off, quit listening in on people’s conversations that you don’t want to hear. If that doesn’t work, act like a human being and try talking to the person. Last resort put on your headphones and listen to something pleasant. The worst possible solution we should be asking for is government legislation on traveling courtesy. Besides, aren’t there more important things for the House Transportation Committee to be working on?
Last note: Does this apply to the phones provided by the airline at each seat for a significant fee, or merely for personal devices?
I partially agree, speaking on phones should be banned. However, texting and other phone based things should not. If they ban “cell phones” than I can’t play solitaire…
I like to relax when I am on planes, and it is one of the few places where I have a reason to be disconnected. I turn my phone off when i get through security and turn it back on as I have my first cigarette outside the terminal
Seriously, I’m sure there are studies to prove you will not die from lack of cell phone use for a few hours. Take a break.
I myself have never owned a cell phone the ideal of anyone wanting to use it as a tracking device to locate where I was has never set well with me, what amazes me these people are so controled by these things you think that they on some kind of highly addictive drugs!
People you with cell phones had better wake up and see the truth behind them
these are nothing more then addictive tracking devices!