Comments on: Air Travelers Say No to Cell Phones

By: Diggers Realm

Diggers Realm — Mon, 11 Apr 2005 09:39:34 +0000

Around The Blogosphere #25 The "unnamed" edition in the continuing saga of interesting and thought provoking news from around the web. There's sure to be something you've missed around the blogosphere. (All links open in a new window for faster cruising) Blogs of War...

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 09 Apr 2005 12:45:50 +0000

James: Agreed. There is no safety issue with the phones. Just annoyance issues.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Sat, 09 Apr 2005 11:49:02 +0000

Given that the safety issue is a canard, I'd argue that the FAA ought to lift the ban as an instrument of public policy but that airlines should be free to reimpose the ban for the convenience of their customers. Unless the government is going to ban cell phones in restaurants, movie theaters, super markets, walking down the street, and other places where it's merely annoying, it's hard to justify it on airplanes.

By: Just Me

Just Me — Sat, 09 Apr 2005 03:01:51 +0000

I don't travel by air enough to have a real opinion, but I don't know that allowing cell phone use would totally annoy me enough to ban it.

I could see during take offs and landings, but I am not sure that somebody talking on their cell phone would be that much different than somebody talking to the person next to them.

By: McGehee

McGehee — Sat, 09 Apr 2005 01:05:13 +0000

Put all the folks who want to chat in a special section. With special "open-air" seating. I have the same reaction to someone who wants to âchatâ with me while iâm trying to sleep or read or whatever. Them too. Let them chat with the people with the cell phones.

By: bryan

bryan — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 23:49:41 +0000

While I find people talking on cell phones to be quite annoying at times, I have the same reaction to someone who wants to "chat" with me while i'm trying to sleep or read or whatever. Or the person next to me who insists on talking with his/her partner throughout the flight, or people who seem not to understand the concept of soap.

All of those are annoyances. Should they therefore be banned by the FAA? I think not.

Rather, let the industry sort this matter out.

By: Marie

Marie — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 23:14:14 +0000

omg!!!!!! These are truly the absolute funniest comments I have read in ages. You are so right Michael and thanks for the hoot. And Scott what a super idea,,,,,it would be nice to notify people if the plane is running behind.

By: John

John — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 22:54:41 +0000

How about a "cellphone class"?
Put all the folks who want to chat in a special section.
What a hoot that would be!
It might give them a hint about how annoying they are.

By: Scott Dillard

Scott Dillard — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 22:25:45 +0000

Yes, Michael, you did. Now I am reminded of that scene from the movie "Airplane" where a line of people are waiting to beat someone.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 22:15:27 +0000

Oh my. Did I just post that?

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 22:15:12 +0000

The reason foten given for not allowing cell phones is because they interfere with airline frequencies. That's untrue (to any extent where it would make any difference)

But I would still ban them because of how annoying they are. I totally agree with Scott. It seems to me that when people talk on a cellphone, the decibel level of their voices go up by a factor of ten

Not to mention those annoying F----NG ring tones that make you want to turn around and beat the living shit out of the kid behind you and rip out his freakin' throat with your bare hands.

By: Robert Tagorda

Robert Tagorda — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 22:11:03 +0000

Scott: That seems like a reasonable proposal (the 15-minute part, not the double murder....).

By: Scott Dillard

Scott Dillard — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 22:02:09 +0000

If the flight is going to be late or re-routed, then the pilot can announce that people have 15 minutes to call and talk or leave a message. That's all they need to do. If I had to fly 5 hours between two yacking dolts on cells I would commit double murder.