When I thought of this subject a few weeks ago, the title was going to be Another Reason Not to Fly. But then I read yesterday’s Wall Street Journal article, Phones Likely to Stay Silent on Planes Amid Backlash.
The Federal Communications Commission was considering lifting the ban on cellphone use on airplanes. Apparently there is no technical reason to prohibit calls. Fortunately the Department of Transportation is considering banning in-flight voice (not text) calls because they say passengers and the airline industry are overwhelmingly against them. Andy and I haven’t flown in years, but from what we hear flying is already stressful enough without having to put up with chatty neighbors.
What about you? Do you fly much? Do you agree that voice calls should be prohibited?
Absolutely. And if a way can be found to ban it in all public places like smoking has been banned, it would be even better.
I think that would be good, too. Allow texting, but stop the bothersome chatting.
I haven’t flown in 10 years or so, though before that, I was flying several times a year on business. Given the pervasive use of cell phones these days and the in-flight background noise, cell phone calls on airlines would be a nightmare at times. I wouldn’t have a problem with texting, though.
The airlines are against it because they’re afraid fights would break out. People are already stressed enough.
Sitting on planes for hours is boring. I’d welcome listening in on other people’s conversations, guessing the other half of the conversation, a game that keeps your mind working & happy.
I’m afraid you’re outnumbered. Best to bring a book or music on an iPod.
out on the situation – I rarely fly anywhere
although I must say that in public transport – listening to never ending ring tones, people chatting to other people is annoying.
i prefer to talk to the person next to me – finding out about something small in their lives
but even without the cellphone you have to face up to that earphone/music player
Yes, people seem to interact with strangers less now. But at least if they’re listening to their mp3 players they’re not annoying their neighbors.
I SAY YES !!! BAN THE DAMN THINGS !!!
i ditto what rummy said so well.
smoking used to be the worst. trapped. can’t move. can’t breathe. eyes watering.
you get off the plane. your clothes literally stink. and you’ve just smoked two packs of second hand smoke. then they made ‘ the smoking section’ ! only it was in the front of the plane always. so disembarking you stood in line in the smoking section and enjoyed all the benefits of the smoking heretofore all over the plane!!!
but what am i caterwallering about! i don’t know how to spell caterwaulering .
i haven’t flown since way before 9/11. i’ve never been patted down or had to get there two hours early or any of that. so i should really keep my mouth shut i guess.
the pressure was just building up! hadn’t been on the soap box in at least 72 hours!
LOLOL!!!
I agree with you about cigarette smoke! I’m very sensitive to it and was so glad when they banned it in most public places. Airplanes were the worst.
I don’t fly much.
For me, quieter is better.
Would there be a way to allow exceptions in personal emergencies or something. I wouldn’t mind it during landing so people can tell people to come pick them up and so on.
The nice thing is they wouldn’t ban texting, so people could communicate without bothering their neighbors.