FCC Says No To Cell Phones On Planes

Commission Says It Doesn't Fear Noisy Passengers But That Calls Might Jam Cellular Networks Below

(CBS)  Striking a blow for cell phone haters 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.”

[rray52]

Do cell phones even get service at 30,000 feet?

Posted by rf35


In general no, as always they are exceptions. Although altitude (distance from the tower) is a factor, the major reason is most likely the speed of the air plane.

[rohink-2009]

I for one am glad there'll continue to be no cell phone use on planes. People talk WAY too much on them and WAY to loud.
Posted by pared1

I agree. It's amazing how oblivious some people are when on the phone. I have heard parts of some very personal conversations. You can't help but hear. Next time someone is on the phone yapping, politely go up to them and say, "your privacy is invading my public".

[rf35]

Thank goodness for that! At lease we get a reprieve form cell phone-addicted imbeciles on plane rides. If they ever do lift the ban on cell phones, they might as well lift the ban on smoking as well. If I have to listen to some idiotic sot screaming into his phone I should at least be able to have a cigarette to calm my nerves, right?

Do cell phones even get service at 30,000 feet?

[acauble1]

Sometimes you have to wonder how people were able to survive before the advent of cellular phones!


Advancements in modern technology have made people easier to use!

[gmcnally2]

The whole cell phone in public debate is a little off. The problem is not that a person talking at a reasonable volume on a bus is so wrong, it is that most people feel they need to yell into the phone because most cell phones do not have a side-tone that allows people to hear themselvesf. If people were educated that they could whisper directly into the mouthpiece in public and be heard on the other end much of this issue would disappear.

[djberson]

Somehow basic etiquette has gone out the window with the rise in popularity of the cellphone. Talking on phones is now common while at lunch or walking down the street with company. Talking on cellphones at the counter while making a transaction with a clerk. Talking about nothing important in the presence of other commuters in trains. Talking while at the same time driving erratically or unconsious of others on the road. I see comments here that these types of rules make some people feel they are being treated as children. Well, if basic childhood etiquette has been forgotten, then thank you lawmakers for reminding these "children".

[jetlizhan]

PRAISE THE LORD! I HOPE THIS BECOMES LAW! i was on a recent flight to Denver to see my niece and this obnoxios @ss beside me talked on his cell phone over 30 mins while in flight - loud enough for all near him to hear. now that's ridiculous - i'm one of the lone rangers that only use their cell phones in an emergency. i talk enough on the phone at work - the last thing i want to do is talk on ANY phone in my leisure time.

[kevboom]

Thank God, can you just imagine all of the self-important business people rattling on about their work in-flight? It's bad enough in the holding area.

[hambonehd]

People are idiots today--they mistake luxuries for necessities.
Posted by tucson23 at 03:55 AM : Apr 04, 2007

AMEN !! tucson23.

[acauble1]

http://www.diymedia.net/audio/mp3ericidle.htm

*Thank* you very much feelfree1!

It's an excellent song and deserves listening to by everyone!

http://www.diymedia.net/audio/mp3ericidle.htm

[acauble1]

If the cell phone ban was lifted and people started using their cell phones on planes, (as they do on the ground)...

... there would be high demand for clinics at every airport specifically designed for the removal of cell phones from the various body cavities of their respective users.

[tucson23]

mlbrown, I'm interested in how people handled your situation in 1975...let's see...

If your grandmother needed surgery and was going to die in the few hours you're on the plane, believe me they wouldn't let her die or suffer because they couldn't get ahold of you.

If they absolutely had to talk to you, they could contact the plane and you could use the air phone.

You're not so important that you can never be beyond the reach of instant communication. George Washington never had a cell phone, or a telephone for that matter.

This kind of reminds me of people who say, "my kid needs a cell phone at school in case of a terrorist attack." Just how is a cell phone going to help? They won't let you into the area to "rescue" your vermin child, and he or she will either be killed, or not killed, in the attack. Having a cell phone doesn't change the situtation one bit, and your peace of mind is not a good reason to have kids disrupting a school with text messages all day.

People are idiots today--they mistake luxuries for necessities.

[jfebiala]

They need to ban cell phone use in commuter trains for same reasons: overuse and obnoxiously loud callers.

This is so stupid. They can send a plane up full of cellphone callers whenever they want in order to test exactly what gets interfered with, if anything. It's hard to believe they haven't done this.

[zootallures2]

They don't want people to know they don't work above 3,000 feet until this 9/11 truth thing blows over...lol

[p1zaul]

most of this is all ***. at 30,000 feet you can't get a cell signal. i try every time i fly. not until the plane almost lands do i get service.

[garsong-2009]

Well the FCC did somethging right in keeping this rule. ***!!

[feelfree1]

Excellent MP3 song by Monty Python star, Erick Idle!!!:

*** you very much the FCC!!!

www.diymedia.net/audio/mp3ericidle.htm

[mlbrown626]

I am the power of attorney for my 95 year old mother, and they can not do surgery or anything else without my approval. I would want to have my phone on, but no one would call me unless it was an emergency. I pray I wouldn't need it, but I sure would want to be in contact should the need arise. Anyone should have the common sense to use it only for emergencies, and I mean TRUE emergencies.

[amslife]

Even my standard flight equipment of earplugs wouldn't drown out mobile phone caliber blather. Maybe some flights would start being 'cell free' or make the yappers sit in the far back but probably not. It's just a matter of time till someone ramrods approval through and I don't look forward to that day.

United1K