Update: friends and commentators (including Seth, Joe and Eric) have spoken, and I thank them. They have pointed out that, if there is no longer a safety reason to keep a government ban on in-flight cell phone calls, then the government rule should be rescinded. I agree. However, it is up to the airlines to determine whether calling should be allowed and to what extent.
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I knew that the FCC was conducting initial hearings today concerning whether to lift the ban on in-flight cell phone calls. Well, I guess it went well because I just received an email from CNN, stating:
The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 today to consider lifting its ban on in-flight cell phone use.
The FCC has banned in-flight calls for technical reasons. But new technology has made that ban obsolete, the commission says, and there’s no reason to continue it.
So, I guess the topic is open to discussion, or at least consideration.
I am not knowledgable about the technical aspects of allowing phone calls or not allowing phone calls in-flight, and I do not pretend to have such knowledge.
So, what’s my gripe? I’m constantly bombarded by people speaking on their mobile phones. I actually like the fact that people don’t talk on the phone in-flight. My opposition to lifting the ban is about my privacy and my desire not to be inundated with others phone calls. I’ve often said that they used to have phone booths so people could speak privately on phone calls, and now they should bring back phone booths, so we don’t have to hear others phone conversations.
How can the interest of the person not on the phone – the interest to a quiet and peaceful flight without unnecessary disturbances – be protected? Limit phone calls to a set time during the flights, or to a certain limit of time per call? What if the plane is going to be late or diverted? Should calls be allowed then? And at what price? Is there a happy medium? How successful have you been at cordially telling people they are speaking to loudly on their phone calls?
What’s your vote? Calls or no calls, or something in between?
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
FCC only cares about the technical aspect of cell phone calls during flight, whether cell phone transmission will interfere with flight computer/instrument in the cockpit. They careless about how other passengers feel. I think it’s better to lobby the airlines not to allow cell phone calls during flight..
With that said, many airlines have already allowed in-flight internet services, and I’m sure some smarty pants have already taken advantage of internet phone (voip, imessage voice, skype, etc) to make that internet calls. I don’t know how flight crews deal with these folks. Technically speaking, these are not cell phone calls, but just a voice form of text messaging over the internet, so they’re not breaking the rule.
Personally, I don’t want to hear what your son did to your dog while you’re on travel status, but I do think an informative call (flight delay, schedule changes, arrangement for pick up, etc) should be reasonable.
Bottom line, be reasonable and considerate……
The FCC absolutely SHOULD rescind the rule. Their mission demands it.
It’s like crying babies… sorta
I updated the blog – because I think that the comments by people such as Seth and Joe are absolutely correct. I wasn’t thinking of the FCC’s domain and jurisdiction so much as just plain not wanting to hear people blabbing on their phones. But, I agree, that’s not for government regulation.
With Skype chat, Facebook chat, Yahoo IM, AIM(if anyone still uses that), and web email it is possible to communicate with friends on the ground without speaking.
I’m with Seth – they DEFINITELY should rescind it. It’s then up to the airlines to enforce reasonable behavior, perhaps in the form of certain section of the place being “quiet areas” a la Amtrak? I get annoyed by ANYONE talking on a plane, whether it’s on the phone or to a seatmate, so I think something like this is actually a good thing – it forces the issue.
I agree with you Laura!