Cell Phones

[dazzleman]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

They just announced:

1 The whole cell phones interefere with an airplanes electronics was a lie. The real concern was a plane full of cell phones woudl overwhelm a cell tower while flying over if all 180 passengers were using it at once.

2. They may allow the use of cell phones on airplanes as airplanes are now flying cell towers themselves.

3. No one wants them to allow cell use on airplanes. Not 96% of passengers, not stewardesses, not airlines, not pilots - no one. But they are considering allowing it anyway.

4. Major airlines are going to offer economy seats where you get no assigned seat (meaning you will sit in the middle seat all the time), no carry on or checked baggage, not snack or drink nothing but a tiny seat in the middle of a row. supposedly this is to compete with discount airlines like Spirit. However the new economy seats will not be cheaper, it will only allow them to hold prices for some seats at current rates (despite record airline profits). Thus, the "economy seats" will become the new standard and if you want a window or aisle seat, baggage or a carry on, you will have to buy a premium priced ticket. This also means the frequently empty middle seats on an airplane are now likely to all be filled, eliminating even the possibility of avoiding the horridly uncomfortable three abreast cramped seating situation

Flying has become hellish enough. Add sitting in a but metal tube for 2-5 hours crammed elbow to elbow with 180 people all loudly yammering away on their phones about mundane minutia and you are going to have people meltdown. Ever try to talk on your cell in a car when someone else is also on their cell? How about two other people? It does not work and everyone is annoyed. Now try that with 180 people, also make them all crammed into uncomfortable spaces, sitting touching each other, tired, stressed. . . .

Just when you thought air travel could not get any worse - here we go. I now try to drive rather than flying whenever it is remotely possible. Add cell phones, and I will drive to California if I have to just to avoid the hell.

I have less concern over this than I used to, since the last thing people seem to use their phones for these days is talking. More likely they will surf the internet and text.

[Mr. In-Between]

I always knew it was bull****, because if there really was any chance a cell phone could bring down a 747, they would never have allowed anyone to carry one onboard. I mean, get real.

[JohnZ963]

I really wish they do not allow voice cell phone use in flight. It's bad enough when you are starting pre-departure taxi and Mr. Road Warrior Sales Guy cannot put down the phone and shut up until the flight attendant scolds him.

[Campfires]

Some headsets can get interference from roaming cellphones. I haven't heard of it recently but 10 years ago it was an issue and it was definitely annoying for the folks in the pointy end. Perhaps it was the analog phones that were the issue?

On a related note, if we are doing an autoland, we make an announcement to turn off all portables electronic devices.