Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
I say yes -- our handhelds are more fun when we're not using the phone anyway -- but Alex Knapp rebuts:
If you check public comments on regulations to open up airlines for smartphone use, you’ll find them overwhelmed with business travelers firmly against allowing cell phone talking on planes. Every time. If you want to know why the FAA keeps rejecting it, it’s because the public comments have overwhelmed by people opposed to allowing cell phones.
(Full disclosure: I myself am firmly opposed to letting people talk on cell phones on planes. In face to face conversations, people are cognizant of the volume of their voice. On the phone, study after study shows that people talk more loudly. Let me keep my Kindle on through the whole flight. But for the love of Pete, no cell phones.)
I wish I could say I've changed my mind. Can't we dare to let ourselves work out the kinks in freedom?
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Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
I wonder if Alex Knapp is in favor of outlawing all annoying behaviors?
There are things I find much more irritating that people talking on their cellphones. Shall I enumerate?
As I say, irritating. But do any of these merit being made illegal? No. With the sole exception of traveling with tuberculosis perhaps.
May '10
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
Diane, what if the guy passing gas is in the window seat and you're in the aisle? You'd have to get up every few minutes!
Dec '10
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
As someone who has logged a little over 2 million miles in the past 15 years, I have to say I'm firmly in Mr. Knapp's camp. The day they started allowing people to yack on the infernal things while at the gate was a dark one indeed.
In this particular case... I'm sorry, but freedom be damned!
May '10
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
So, because some annoyances are unavoidable we should invite more? Data yes, phone calls no.Also, there's a crazy man who travels the NYC subway snipping the cords of too-loud earbuds. So turn it down before he gets to you!
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
The Great Adventure!: As someone who has logged a little over 2 million miles in the past 15 years, I have to say I'm firmly in Mr. Knapp's camp. The day they started allowing people to yack on the infernal things while at the gate was a dark one indeed.
In this particular case... I'm sorry, but freedom be damned! · 3 minutes ago
I think an airline has the right to determine house rules, and it makes sense for them to prohibit certain bad behaviors that affect other passengers, but why do we have to involve the Feds?
May '10
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
I would hope the airlines realize what a terrible passenger environment it would create, and implement rules, or maybe provide a separate cabin to sequester it.
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
Is this you?
May '10
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
Ms. Ellis, can't a guy create a beneficial fictional crime wave, or have they now made that illegal, too?
Apr '11
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
I strongly endorse the separate cabin idea, or at least a "quiet zone", perhaps the back third of Economy, for people who get irked by these things, and am relieved that someone responded with the idea that the market, not the government, should decide these things.
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
I was just earnestly hoping this was you! Having met you at the NYC meetup, the story of the crazy guy who goes around cutting the cords of loud earbuds would be even better if we found out that guy was a very sane looking professional.
May '10
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
Just so they present their policy honestly. I am a semi-frequent flyer (I average about 25,000 mi/year) and I hear the electronics speech four or more times a week. Don't give me the garbage about it interfering with the navigational instruments. If the RF from the collected iPods and Kindles on board were enough to screw up the plane's electronics, the vast amount of RF that flies through the air these days would keep the airlines permanently grounded.
Mar '11
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
I think the FAA is involved because it is supposed to be a safety issue - possible interference with the aircraft's navigation systems (which has never been demonstrated, as far as I know).
I'd like to be able to use my iphone or kindle with the wireless turned off - I don't see why we should have to completely power the things off for takeoff and landing.
Edited on March 19, 2012 at 9:17pmMay '10
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
Your instincts are correct. A flight attendant I know told me it's actually so you are alert and not distracted during the most accident-prone portions of flight and will be able to react promptly to emergency instructions.
May '11
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
Remember early in this insufferable campaign when some lady got offended because she tried to talk to Romney on a plane about healthcare and he just plugged in his earphones and ignored her. Good for him. I fly a lot and am often seated next to minor celebrities but other than making a quiet comment to let them know I know who they are, I ignore them. I don't even speak their name out loud so that they can stay anonymous if they wish. The only thing I want to hear on a plane flight is "Here is your martini, Sir."
Dec '10
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
Diane Ellis, Ed.
The Great Adventure!: As someone who has logged a little over 2 million miles in the past 15 years, I have to say I'm firmly in Mr. Knapp's camp. The day they started allowing people to yack on the infernal things while at the gate was a dark one indeed.
In this particular case... I'm sorry, but freedom be damned! · 3 minutes ago
I think an airline has the right to determine house rules, and it makes sense for them to prohibit certain bad behaviors that affect other passengers, but why do we have to involve the Feds? · 49 minutes ago
Well, I suppose that would provide a competitive differentiation - one airline allows yackers, another doesn't, and I can take my pick. If it wasn't the law, however, how would they enforce it when the 60 yr old silicone infested, make-up plastered, broom stick haired woman who talks at 150 decibels through her nose insists on scream-talking the latest gossip to her BFF?
May '10
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
I was just earnestly hoping this was you! Having met you at the NYC meetup, the story of the crazy guy who goes around cutting the cords of loud earbuds would be even better if we found out that guy was a very sane looking professional.
Thanks for alleging me sane. Shorter version of what I wrote above: Roseearbud.
Jul '10
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
Mark Wilson
Your instincts are correct. A flight attendant I know told me it's actually so you are alert and not distracted during the most accident-prone portions of flight and will be able to react promptly to emergency instructions. · 39 minutes ago
That's only partly true. Many people are reading books and magazines and not paying attention either. That makes the ban on e-readers during take-off and landing pointless. According to an article in the Economist several years ago, the main reason for disallowing personal phone use is that it wreaks havoc on the cell towers on the ground as your signal bounces from tower to tower.
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
Whiskey Sam
Mark Wilson
Your instincts are correct. A flight attendant I know told me it's actually so you are alert and not distracted during the most accident-prone portions of flight and will be able to react promptly to emergency instructions. · 39 minutes ago
That's only partly true. Many people are reading books and magazines and not paying attention either. That makes the ban on e-readers during take-off and landing pointless. According to an article in the Economist several years ago, the main reason for disallowing personal phone use is that it wreaks havoc on the cell towers on the ground as your signal bounces from tower to tower. · 53 minutes ago
Fascinating. Orbiting cell towers? Over to you, Richard Branson.
May '11
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
Mark Wilson
Your instincts are correct. A flight attendant I know told me it's actually so you are alert and not distracted during the most accident-prone portions of flight and will be able to react promptly to emergency instructions. · 3 hours ago
By the way, it is not a good idea to take off your shoes while flying. You may need to evacuate quickly and running barefoot from the plane is not going to be fun.
May '10
Re: Should the Feds OK In-Flight Smartphones?
Whiskey Sam
That's only partly true. Many people are reading books and magazines and not paying attention either. That makes the ban on e-readers during take-off and landing pointless. According to an article in the Economist several years ago, the main reason for disallowing personal phone use is that it wreaks havoc on the cell towers on the ground as your signal bounces from tower to tower. · 3 hours ago
But that's a different issue. I was talking about shutting off electronic devices during takeoff and landing. It's not perfectly rational, and the rules always lag behind technology. But in general, compared to smartphones, laptops, portable video games, music players, your average paper book doesn't engage your tactile and auditory senses and so is probably the easiest to "snap out of" if something goes wrong. I would agree with you that ebooks are probably equivalent, but the people who write these policies are always a few years behind.