Government Fingers In Everybody's Business
I hate public cell phone calls with every inch of my being and then some, but it is not government's business to tell private businesses where they can and cannot allow them.
Naturally, that's just what they're doing -- with a House committee marking up a bill today to prevent cell phone calls on planes, Prohibiting In-Flight Voice Communications on Mobile Wireless Devices Act (H.R. 3676).
Marc Scribner writes at Open Market:
The bill would bar travelers from making cell phone calls on commercial flights--a response to the Federal Communications Commission's recent proposal to relax its longstanding ban on in-flight cell phone use.H.R. 3676 purports to solve a problem that doesn't exist by depriving consumers of travel choices, as I explained recently in an op-ed in USA Today. To be sure, I sympathize with travelers who fear being stuck next to a chattering bore for a long flight. However, the FCC's deregulatory steps wouldn't require any airline to offer voice calls in-flight; rather, the new rules would merely permit airlines to experiment with in-flight calling if they so choose.
The bill's sponsors concede that some in-flight phone calls are acceptable, exempting Airfone-style in-seat phone calls from the ban. If voice calls on commercial flights are so bad, why continue to allow some passengers to make them on some planes?
Supporters of the bill have fretted about the prospect of passengers loudly yakking away on long in-flight cell phone calls. Yet the technology that enables in-flight cell phone calls usually charges roaming rates for voice calls, discouraging passengers from spending hours on the phone.
...According to a major flight attendants' union, the bill is needed to prevent the "air rage" that will supposedly ensue if cell phone calls are allowed during flight. But the FAA examined this theory as well; its study could not identify a single instance of "air rage" occurring due to in-flight voice communications in the countries where these services have been available since 2008.
If you are sitting next to me on a plane forcing me to listen to your loud public cell phone call, what will happen is that I will record you and post it on YouTube for all to hear -- in hopes of deterring others from doing the same.
And if there are some airlines that allow cell phone calls in flight and others that do not, those others will get my business.
No government needed whatsoever...see?!
"Air Rage" is not caused by denial of cell services. Air Rage IS caused by Airlines treating their paying customers like crap, constantly nickel-and-diming them to death, shrinking seat size, and refusing to enforce good manners in flight.
Keith Glass at February 11, 2014 5:58 AM
Am I the only one who remembers the days of phones embedded in the back of seat, in the hopes that people would MAKE calls during a flight, for which the airline would charge you out the wazoo?
Most people are going to be texting, and checking their email anyway. It isn't like they are driving.
Why doesn't Obama just sign an executive order? He has for everything else. No need for Congress at all.
Isab at February 11, 2014 6:31 AM
I keep sayin' it's past time for the revolution...
Flynne at February 11, 2014 6:49 AM
Hell, the Iranis are doin' it:
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/mideast/huge-anti-american-crowds-mark-iran-revolution-n27091
So how well that worked out??
/sarcasm
Flynne at February 11, 2014 6:51 AM
Huh? Who uses a cell phone to make phone calls anymore?
Grey Ghost at February 11, 2014 7:41 AM
Just start a cell phone class and charge extra for it. Flying is bad enough already - I can just see myself in prison for ejecting some loudmouth over the Pacific...
MarkD at February 11, 2014 12:29 PM
Did not the passengers on flight 93 during the 911 terrorist attack learn about the fate of the other planes through their phones? Although their attempt to take back control failed, they at least knew enough to fight back.
Craig Hamilton at February 11, 2014 4:24 PM
Okay.
Keep in mind that you do not have enough flight selection for your particular destination on your particular day of travel to call for a "cell-phone free" flight.
This is because of federal controls on commercial aircraft.
Then, you will cry loudly for silence. I will remind you of your stance here.
Radwaste at February 11, 2014 4:45 PM
It should be a carrier choice and not a government regulation. The FCC determined it is not a threat to navigation. So that is where the decision lies.
With that being said, an airline, or flight that has a no cell policy means they get the same disturbing the peace or other charges that you would have for a drunk or similar situation.
Jim P. at February 11, 2014 5:01 PM
Yes to in-air yabbos on cell phones, yes to underseat entertainment electronics boxes that take up 50% of your legroom, yes to fees for checking bags to encourage fistfights on the plane with people who try to over-jam their carry-on luggage in the overhead, yes to smaller seats, yes to no food or bad food, yes to obese people taking a seat and a half, yes to rude air staff, yes to delays, and yes to intrusive TSA agents.
It all adds to the flavor of America going to the lowest bidder. Savor the decay!
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at February 11, 2014 6:55 PM
I sympathize with not wanting to be surrounded by yakking people on a long flight -- I've had the same problem without any phones being involved. But this is one the market should at least be given a chance to solve for itself before the nannies step in. Why not let the carriers try things like phoning and no-phoning sections? Or just limit phoning to business class, where those willing to pay extra for the privilege can have it?
jdgalt at February 11, 2014 7:17 PM
jdgalt, good idea!
"It should be a carrier choice and not a government regulation."
How do you enforce this?
Radwaste at February 12, 2014 10:11 AM
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