A low-flying KLM 747 airplane is pictured above. (Photo by Kitty Terwolbeck/Creative Commons License 2.0)
A proposed rule change announced Thursday that would allow air travelers to make cell phone calls above 10,000 feet has already generated a backlash.
On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican, said he would also oppose the move.
“Imagine two million passengers, hurtling through space, trapped in 17-inch-wide seats, yapping their innermost thoughts,†Alexander said. “The Transportation Security Administration would have to hire three times as many air marshals to deal with the fistfights.â€
On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission said it will consider changing the rules, which Chairman Tom Wheeler called out-of-date. The change would also allow air travelers to use their cellular data plans above 10,000 feet. Restrictions would remain for takeoffs and landings.
Lamar Alexander
Alexander said he will introduce legislation, if necessary, to stop the FCC from allowing cell phone conversations on airplanes.
“Stop and think about what we hear now in airport lobbies from those who wander around shouting personal details into a microphone: babbling about last night’s love life, bathroom plans, next week’s schedule, orders to an assistant, arguments with spouses,” the senator said. “Imagine this noise while you travel, restrained by your seatbelt, unable to escape.
“The FCC commissioners will earn the gratitude of the two million Americans who fly each day by deciding: text messages, yes; conversations, no.â€
The Washington Post reported that the proposal could be considered during an FCC meeting next month, and consumers have already flooded the agency with protests, particularly about noise pollution. Wheeler, the commission chair, said recent research rebuts concerns that radio signals from devices could interfere with a pilot’s operation of a plane, the newspaper said.
The Post said the move comes weeks after the Federal Aviation Administration cleared the use of electronic devices during takeoffs and landings. The FCC made a similar cell phone proposal in 2004, but it was dropped three years later in the face of stiff opposition from flight attendants and other groups, the newspaper said.
Daniel Powers says
There is no proof that cell phones can harm airplanes. If there was the slightest chance they would be banned from being on the plane to begin with. Heaven forbid if you try to bring your own bottled water on board.
johnhuotari says
What happens when you try to bring bottled water on board?
Daniel Powers says
I understand they take it away from you. http://www.tsa.gov/contact-us unless it fits in the 3.4 ounce container. But those little 2oz 2oz bottle of whiskey appear to be ok
Q. Can I bring certain foods
A. Passengers
are allowed to travel with food through TSA checkpoints; however, all
food must undergo x-ray screening. The only screening restriction on
bringing food in carry-on baggage applies to foods that are liquids,
gels, or aerosols. These foods must be in containers 3.4 ounces or
smaller and fit comfortably in a single, quart-size, clear plastic,
resealable bag (the 3-1-1 rule). To save time, passengers should not
bring food to the security checkpoint unless it is securely wrapped or
in a spill-proof container. Unpeeled natural foods like fruit are
acceptable.
TJ Garland says
Can anyone honestly say their cell phone worked above 5000 feet and 200+ mph? Mine never has.
Think of the ramifications of your answer.
Ben Smith says
The “ramification” would be yet another one of your silly conspiracy theories.
johnhuotari says
I haven’t actually tried it yet. I wasn’t sure how the signal is relayed to the ground. You’re saying there is a repeater device on the planes?
TJ Garland says
http://www.aeromobile.net/faqs/
You know what this means?
Dave Smith says
Maybe it’s time to upgrade from your analog cell phone with retractable antenna. 😉
There were at least two cell phone calls made from Flight 93 on 9/11.
I once received a call while flying, though I did not answer it. I had a phone with a battery that was making loose contact with the phone and unbeknownst to me the phone had rebooted from power-down during the flight. The plane was certainly above 5000′ and traveling faster than 200 mph because we were in mid-flight.
The limitation is not the altitude nor is it the speed of the plane. Cell phones can easily connect from clear-sight distances of 6 miles and towers can transfer calls in milliseconds. It’s the sparsity of cell tower coverage across the US (especially west of the Mississippi River) that limits cell phone use while in flight.
I think Sen. Alexander has a lot of support on his position on cell phone voice communications during flights. I also think that few people are going to pay $1 a minute surcharge to “argue with their spouses.” That being said, if they’re willing to spend $1 a minute to “babble about last night’s love life,” I might be interested in listening to that. I can always use some pointers.
TJ Garland says
So you never made a call either from an aircraft.
Worth reading more about Flight 95(?) over Pennsylvania.
Cognitive dissonance keeps many from believing.
Ben Smith says
And what makes you believe in every antigovernment conspiracy? Most of the calls from the 9/11 aircraft were made using the onboard Airfone system. But then you can’t even keep the flight numbers straight, why should canyone expect you to understand any other facts?
johnhuotari says
Okay. Thanks.
Helen Standifer says
I would rather hear people talking on the phone that crying babies and fussy, messy children. Alexander’s argument is downright stupid. If they can be dangerous if the phones interfere with plane and controllers transmissions. Besides, most of us don’t eavesdrop on other folks conversations. I guess it’s because us riff raff have to ride in coach where it is too loud to talk to your seat mate.
TJ Garland says
Cell phones should be forever banned in any mode of transportation for health, safety, and social reasons.
Jay Smith says
That’s nice. How about do something that we really need for air travel? Like…force airliners to give us more leg room instead of cramming us in like herrings?
Susan Gawarecki says
I routinely ride the Megabus between Knoxville and Washington, DC, and cell phone use is allowed, as is use of all electronic devices (there are outlets and WiFi on the bus–for free). A small percentage of riders talk on their phones, and it is no more annoying than having them carry on a conversation with their seatmate. If you are not in a big hurry, this is a comfortable ride, less expensive than driving, and not nearly as intrusive as flying.