Things Looking Grim for Airborne Cell Phones
Fri Mar 23, 2007 3:43AM EDT
See Comments (32)
Back when I was editor of Mobile magazine, I wrote an editor's note about cell phones on airplanes. I figured most people wanted to be able to take calls while flying, and I didn't think most people would mind a little chatter considering the overwhelming drone of jet engines.
I was wrong.
I received some 200 letters from readers about the column, and all but one were rabidly against letting people talk on their phones while on planes. The biggest complaint: People simply didn't want to be annoyed by people chattering away in the seat next to them. (Better they talk to someone on the phone than to me, I said.)
Regardless of the etiquette of cell phones in flight, things aren't looking up for them, despite some tech advances that are making airborne phone calls a possibility. The latest snag: CTIA (the biggest cell phone industry group) has said that cell phones still cause interference with towers on the ground, despite tweaks that are supposed to have alleviated these problems. A possibly bigger issue: Cingular and Verizon don't want to share their frequencies with anyone else, which would be required for airborne phones to work.
Add to the mix the fact that consumers hate the idea and airlines don't want to spend money upgrading their jets—plus the ever-present worry about someone's idiotic ringtone download causing a plane to crash—and you've pretty much got yourself a recipe for a technology that's going nowhere.
My advocacy for airborne phones is really more a devil's advocacy than anything else, but I'm still curious if the winds have changed on this topic. Is anyone out there interested in opening up the friendly skies for cell phone use? Let me know in the comments.
LINK: Jet passengers may not get to chat on cellphones after all
Comments on Things Looking Grim for Airborne Cell Phones
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2 Posted by ginnij_mt on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:09PM EDT Report Abuse
I'm a flight attendant, and it's very hard for us. Every time the airlines change policy and allow some electronics, the electronics industry moves 7 steps forward, and there are all new things to be restricted. Regardless of what airlines end up allowing, I think it is more imporant for the passengers to take responsibility for themselves and follow the rules! Trust me, we don't like it any more than y'all do, but it's very difficult to give premium service when I spend half my time arguing with businessmen and stressed out moms about turning off the phone! The adults are 100 times worse than the kids! PLEASE... just act like adults!!
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3 Posted by fastsurf636 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:58PM EDT Report Abuse
Generally, when two passengers converse in flight the volume of their voices tend to be muted; however, given ample evidence of cell phone use in the boarding area most users onboard will be heard for ten rows in each direction. Multiply that by dozens blathering at one time and you have a recipe for trouble. No in-flight use of cell phones, please.
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4 Posted by shadygrove@prodigy.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:15PM EDT Report Abuse
Airplanes are cramped and noisy enough, without an elbow in my face and a voice in my ear. If I am unfortunate enough to get a middle seat, the potential doubles. Pretend you're in the movies, or in a library, or in church. Turn the blasted cell phone OFF, shut up, and read already.
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5 Posted by jairaj on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:27PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't care as much for cell phone use while flying as long as I can have internet access.
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6 Posted by venmex on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:33PM EDT Report Abuse
Please...Is there nowhere that anyone cannot be subjected to those who like to share their personal conversations with everyone within earshot? I have an idea. Why not make it a law that in-fligt cell phones can only be used in designated restrooms. That way, people can take care of two (or three) things at once, and no one would have to listen to inane conversations. I say designated, because if all of the restrooms were available to phone users, no one who just wanted to use the room for its intended purpose would ever get the chance. Better yet, shut up and take advantage of the forced downtime; read a book or go to sleep.
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7 Posted by ytech_robinraskin on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:58PM EDT Report Abuse
How about this? Make the front of the airplane the quiet car and give people a discount for sitting there.
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8 Posted by remag1234 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:36PM EDT Report Abuse
Cellphones are people molesters. The majority of convservations are inane and are nothing more than Bull Chips. Public places such as restaurants, houses of worship, theaters, etc. should be mandated to install telephone jammers. Please do not say it could be an emergency. If you're more than 30 minutes away from the "emergency" there's nothing you can do about it. Doctors have an answering service and will not interrupt their evening out when some intern at the hospital can handle any problems.
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9 Posted by shellyejo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:19PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't care if someone wants to use their phone on the plane. I usually have my noise cancelling earphones on and would be blissfully unaware of their conversations.
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10 Posted by windy_acreage on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:47PM EDT Report Abuse
Well, this is one place for sales persons to take a break, and relax! So take a break and smell the roses, ie. enjoy the scenery, and environment around you. Other things you can do is to read a magazine, watch that airlines t.v. with the headset if they offer it, work a simple puzzle, offer some very brief conversation to the persons in the seats next to you, or listen to your portable radio with your headset if that is allowed..
1 Posted by zwomann on Thu Sep 3, 2009 11:02PM EDT Report Abuse
heck I am. My husband is on a plane a lot and when he not on the plan, he is too busy to talk. It would be nice to be able to chat with him while in the skys.