Cell phone use on planes

[edslunch]

The FCC is considering allowing the use of cell phones on planes.

http://m.us.wsj.com/articles/SB10001...74516?mobile=y

To me, this will make air travel intolerable. I don't want to be trapped in a small place with a dozen phone conversations going on. Sure there are conversations on planes today but people use their inside voices and it's easy enough to shut one down. People on phones are different.

Does anyone else think this is a bad idea?

[ken0042]

Let me add the non-mobile link:
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...12210178774516

[JonDuke]

Such a horrible idea.
I'm all for data usage, but am NOT for calls on the plane.

[tvp2003]

The ambient noise on planes is loud. That will mean people will be practically screaming into their phone, not to mention the person on the other end trying to hear them. Bad idea IMO.

[corporatejay]

Hard to imagine that from a purely customer service perspective that airlines will allow calls. This is likely just for data usage.

[polak]

Can they let me use my damn ipod during take off and landing. Im pretty sure if there is something that requires my attention during take off or landing, ill notice when everyone else is freaking out.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by polak

Can they let me use my damn ipod during take off and landing. Im pretty sure if there is something that requires my attention during take off or landing, ill notice when everyone else is freaking out.

FAA says soon you can now. Not sure on implementation timeline.
http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releas...m?newsId=15254

Of course during takeoff/landing you still can't use the wireless cell network, must be in airplane mode.

[kermitology]

At FL35 - FL40 you're reception is going to be poor anyways. Don't worry about it.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by polak

Can they let me use my damn ipod during take off and landing. Im pretty sure if there is something that requires my attention during take off or landing, ill notice when everyone else is freaking out.

I have been on WestJet, United, and Air Canada in the month of October. All of these airlines let you keep on your personal electronics such as iPhones, iPods, and e-readers. You had to power down the laptops and switch phones to airplane use.

[darklord700]

At crusing altitude, my cell phone never received any call or data signals. This won't make any difference.

[Inglewood Jack]

this is something I don't even really understand how it would work. you're typically cruising 10km above the earth so you're at least that far away from any cell tower, unless they've started building them on top of cirrus clouds. and most of the time you're flying over boonie areas that probably don't have many towers anyways. unless the broadcast technology is far stronger than I think it is?

[Bigtime]

Please just leave it as data only, as many others have stated we don't need "super duper business bigshots" and others making call after call while in the air.

Email, text, and instant messenger programs are more than enough to get things done while airborne.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by darklord700

At crusing altitude, my cell phone never received any call or data signals. This won't make any difference.

Did you bother reading the article? They say that planes will need to be outfitted with an antenna/communicator to communicate with a tower on the ground.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

Did you bother reading the article? They say that planes will need to be outfitted with an antenna/communicator to communicate with a tower on the ground.

Well, if that's the case, the airline will probably charge you for it, like they do with wifi now.

[darklord700]

In the US, just flew United and Delta and they do have Wifi. You have to pay though.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by fotze

Was it as garbage as hotel wifi seems to be?

It was actually pretty good for browsing. Video streaming was not great and they even told you that up front. But I checked out a few youtube videos and they were fine. I guess netflix might be tough to do on the plane.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by darklord700

In the US, just flew United and Delta and they do have Wifi. You have to pay though.

I think he was cracking a joke about Canadian Airlines.

[Violator]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

I have been on WestJet, United, and Air Canada in the month of October. All of these airlines let you keep on your personal electronics such as iPhones, iPods, and e-readers. You had to power down the laptops and switch phones to airplane use.

Odd...everytime I go on WestJet the lady yells at me and tells me to turn the phone right off.

[Northendzone]

i am starting to wonder if ambient noise is no longer and issue with some new phones, as the last few times i have been tot eh car wash, i have seen guys talking and washing at the same time and the car wash in question was an open 10 bay wash......

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

I have been on WestJet, United, and Air Canada in the month of October. All of these airlines let you keep on your personal electronics such as iPhones, iPods, and e-readers. You had to power down the laptops and switch phones to airplane use.

I fly often and I'm fairly certain that you can leave your earbuds in for takeoff and landing as long as its plugged into their audio system only. No ipods, iphones etc...until after takeoff and up to final decent.