Our U.S. lawmakers are working on a bill in the House of Representatives to permanently ban making in-flight voice calls. The Senate version of that bill isn’t as stringent and doesn’t include the permanent ban. The Inflight Passenger Communications Coalition is of course supporting the Senate’s version of the bill.
In-Flight Noise Pollution
Overseas there are 20 airlines allowing in-flight phone usage and it seems to be working just fine. There doesn’t seem to be an anger issue with “air-rage,” and flight attendants overseas don’t seem to be complaining. Are we Americans just too immature to handle the lack of consideration of some phone users? Is that why our government hasn’t given us permission yet? Are they afraid of the Ugly American’s loss of temper? Do we need cell phone etiquette lessons first?
Here in the U.S. many airlines have in-flight Internet access via smartphones or laptops, but federal regulations still ban in-flight voice calls using cell phones or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). I had always thought the ban was due to possible interference with the airplane’s communication system, but apparently not if the European planes allow the calls. (Or perhaps they have different kinds of planes over there… LOL)
Do we really need to use our phones during a flight? Isn’t it kind of nice not to have to listen to the passenger next to you jabber away on a phone call? We have all had experience with an inconsiderate cell phone user interrupting our peace. Do we want to invite that in a place where we can’t simply walk away and leave them behind? At least on the train we can get up and go to the dining car, but in an airplane?
Having in-flight Internet access should satisfy most people’s need for communication with the outside world. Do we really need the noise pollution of phones as well?
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