In Flight Cell Phone Ban
 

From a technological standpoint, I don't see a reason that cell phones should be banned from flights. However, I'd prefer to be able to sleep. Crying kids and cell phones don't help this.

So...should the ban be kept or should people be allowed to use Cell phones during flights?

Keep the ban, as a frequent air traveler, if I'm flying back form LAX on Friday evening after a long work week, and your jabbering up a a storm, I'm probably going to make you eat your phone. Do we really need to be connected everywhere we go?

One of the few moments of my work week that I enjoy is the privacy I get on the flight in and back. No one can reach me, I don't have to attend any meetings, I can just sit back and sleep, or read. I don't need the 400lb sweaty guy next to me calling his wife to discuss the grocery list for next week.

Last thing I want to hear is some 20 year old diva yapping away for hours on the cell.

As a private pilot, I called the FAA a while ago to find out the problem. The FAA's answer is that it messes up the cellular system.

so I called my cell phone provider. Their answer? It messes up the FAA's stuff.

Whatever......

I'd pay extra for a flight where cell phones aren't allowed. Wireless internet = fine. Cell phones = no.

Actually I'd pay considerably extra for a flight with no kids under age 12 on it too. Like double standard fare. Yes, I really would.

My dad flies every single week and he is adamant about not lifting the ban. he would love to be able to use his phone occasionally but he does not want to here the loudmouth "look at me" assh*les for the entire flight

I would pay extra for both as well, considerably more just as you stated. I luck out on Fridays when I return we have a business class or better policy on the week end. Rarely ever do I have unruly children up in business or first.

Wireless internet would be fine. The stewardesses would have to enforce no using VOIP (e.g. Skype). No cellphones, period.

It's bad enough sitting next to some *itch in a resturant yapping about herself on a cell while I'm trying to enjoy a meal....At least, I can get up and move......On a flight, I'm trapped.....Until the American public learns some manners, keep the ban - IF not, I'd rather drive than fly........

Maybe a compromise is in order.

For instance, keep the ban on cell phone conversations in the seats. But, why not allow people to text message if they keep the phones silent (no beep beeps).

Well, there you go, making sense again!

You've convinced me, I change my vote to Nooooooooooooo.

It was both, and it is neither.

FCC) In the early days of cellular, there was allegedly a problem with the fact that an airborne phone tries to connect with too many cell towers at the same time. This supposedly caused problems with the system

FAA) There has been a fear that having a transmitter onboard would affect the instruments and radios in the airplane.

Advances in technology has eliminated both of these issues.

Still, my vote is NO CELL USAGE ON THE PLANE (unless it's being hijacked).

flying commercially is stressful enough w/o having some / many asshats blabbing senselessly on a cell phone, bodily injury is the primary reason to not have approved cell usage on airlines. I have come close to popping some ******* who calls from the plane saying he / she has just landed or taken off and will be there is XXX minutes. WTF, can't these idiots wait until you are off the plane, I don't need to know this info and neither do the rest of the 50 people within earshot.

Text messaging is a blessing most idiots haven't discovered yet.

You can use your cell phone before and after take-off. I've used it after landing, while disembarking the aircraft.

Cell phones were a valuable communication tool on those 9/11 aircraft, which the terrorists couldn't control. They should be used only in such emergencies while in the air--and they are banned from normal use while flying. I don't recall if those expensive phones on the backs of seats are still used, but they should be.That was another 9/11 communication tool.

In my view, there should be a federal ban on using car cell phones while driving--unless they are equipped with an earplug and microphone, and the phone is secured on the dash. I've had some close calls with neighbors driving around talking into cell phones.

Cell usage in cars is worse than ever today. It is very common to see this and people just don't pay any attention to the law in states where they do have laws regulating usage in cars.

I certainly support usage on aircraft when an emergency is involved.

+10000

BTW, I accidentally hit yes, when I meant no.

On the sixty minute train ride back from Fontana race track a group of us were terrorized by three teenage girls with cell phones, there was not five seconds of silence for an hour. Fortunately my friend and I got off at the first stop... the rest of the adults looked at us longingly as we got off as if to say "take us with you!"

I'd prefer banning them once you get in line at the gate to board until you deplane and enter the terminal again.