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FCC Says No to Mobile Phones on Airplane
GayBliss writes "CNN is reporting that the FCC has decided to keep a rule in place that would ban mobile phone usage on airplanes. The FAA has a similar ban, but for different reasons. 'In an order released Tuesday, the agency noted that "insufficient technical information" was available on whether airborne cell phone calls would jam networks below. [...]Unlike the Federal Aviation Administration, which bans the use of cell phones and other portable electronic devices for fear they will interfere with navigational and communications systems, the FCC's concern is interference with other cell phone signals on the ground.'"
I've commented before about some of the hassles of travel lately (and some of the possible solutions), and all I have to say about the FCC maintaining the ban of cell phones on planes is thank you!. Aside from the "insufficient technical information" statement, this ruling is going to prevent someone from having violence done to them because of their inane constant droning to any and all within earshot. I once had the displeasure of sitting on a plane on the tarmac for two hours while our flight was delayed and the pilot allowed everyone to use their cell phones. It was torture as most folks were not talking on their cell phones to arrange transportation or take care of business, but they were talking (loudly) about everything and nothing and forcing those around them to have to listen! Even worse, people began trying to speak over one another and the volume gradually increased until there was an amazing din of people calling their friends to say "Hey! Hey! Betcha can't guess where I'm calling you from! An airplane! Ha ha ha ha, yeah and on my own cell phone even!". It was a horrible forced invasion of personal space and ever since then I had been hoping that the FCC would not allow this to become a common occurrence.
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Insufficient technical information exists to say that they do interfere with ground signals or even the navigation and communications systems used to justify the FAA's ban.
So why the ban? Erring on the side of caution? Gimme a break. There's gotta be another reason that nobody's talking about.
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I really don't want to be stuck inches away from someone talking way too loud for several hours anyway.
Business travel is stressful enough the way it is and being "out of touch" from the office may be the best part of the trip. If they allow cell phones on airplanes that means I will be expected to work while I am on the plane as well. Get 20 people on a plane doing that and it is going to be really annoying to everyone else.
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All I can hope for is that they continue to ban the use of headsets. I don't mind someone emailing or (OMG) IMing. At least it's quiet and I'm not held hostage to their innane conversation. Didn't I just see a story on this that several airlines are rolling out wifi? And the difference is....? I guess it's slightly lower power, but wifi runs the same interference risks as cell phones.
As for the "technical" reasons. Completely bunk. Modern airplanes have all their signal wires twisted pair and shielded (very RF immune). While it IS possible for cell phones to create considerable interference (particularly GSM), airline systems are VERY well shielded. I seem to recall a "Mythbusters" episode (yes.. the paragons of the scientific process) that also confirmed this. The thought that it would interfere with ground based systems is simply rediculous. What ground based systems? Other cell networks? No. Airline communications? No -- totally different frequency band. Somebody give me a good example of where your cell phone was interfering in ground based systems while in your car (not your unshielded car stereo with a GSM phone). There is no difference between being on the ground or in the air. And no -- there is NO problem with communicating with a cell tower several miles DOWN -- with nothing in your way except the airplane fuselage. You'd actually get pretty good reception. Antenna sensitivity is also a function of height (and how much is in the way).
It's a human right to be an arse back to people talking on their phones in public. Walk into them. They can't resist.
That's exactly what I was saying. Why don't the FAA just come out with a ban that's simply based on this reasoning? Loud talking is banned in public libraries and cellphone use is banned in moving vehicles in some states, so why can't they ban cellphones on planes? I think if you took a poll of most psychologists, I think they'd back you up that having to listen to a plane full of people's cellphone conversations is like sitting on a powder keg.
Anyone who talks on a cell phone in a movie theater or brings an infant to a movie theater is an asshat.
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I think it is likely that the FAA and FCC know that it is practically impossible to enforce this regulation (although I wouldn't mind a foxy flight attendant patting me down to find my turned-on cell phone, which is always on when I fly). I also think it is likely that there are lots of you who leave your phones on, too. And yet, our planes didn't crash, and here we all are. So I think they are saying no due to some other reason - it certainly isn't because it messes up navigational equipment; many of us are proof of that.
I can only imagine what 4 hours of inane babbling would do to me. I've been stuck on a 20 minute bus ride listening to some loud ass explain to a girl he went on a date with that he, infact, was not a creep despite his actions the previous night. I was decibels away from stealing his phone and throwing it out the window. Thank you FCC!
Hasn't it been a generally accepted concept of Constitutional philosophy that only harmful actions are to be banned and/or prosecuted? You guys are saying "Thank god they're banning it... people with cell phones annoy me so much!", but the use of a cell phone is not in itself bad. In fact, talking about inane subjects on a cellphone in a confined space is by all means supported by law unless it interferes with necessary functions (which the ban may or may not be saying).
/may/ get this "air rage". It's your problem to deal with the situation-- politely if you choose to practice what you preach. Note, however, that if you choose to be violent, YOU will be held accountable.
Since when does the Slashdot community suggest and support that behavior be regulated? What next: No homosexuality because it's icky for it to go "in there"? No driving at the speed limit because you're late and it's annoying when other people don't understand that YOU didn't get up on time in the morning? Shall we now force people to speak with a specific accent because you don't like a regional diction?
At no point should it EVER be the government's responsibility to enforce "polite behavior" because you
Grow a pair, complainers, and solve your own social problems.
As far as just putting your phone on vibrate... no, just turn it off. Those incredibly bright flashes of light as people check their phones is nearly as distracting as the ringing itself. My opinion, if you can't spend 2 hours without a phone, then just wait for the damned movie to come out on DVD.
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I think the thing is that a one-sided cell phone conversation feels like an intrusion into an established social situation. One can always hear the conversations of the actual people around you, but most of the time if feels like it belongs: the people are right there with you, you can hear both sides of the conversation, you can even join in if you feel like it. You don't feel excluded, unless it's some passionate couple total oblivious to everybody else around them.
And that's the thing with cell phone conversations in a public space: it's an exclusive conversation, and the person blabbing into the phone is mostly oblivious to the people around him or her. It feels rude and exclusionary. Normally, people who need a private space for conversation will move themselves to a private space, but cell phone users will instead take that private space from the others around them, and that feels like a violation.
I think all cell phone calls should be taxed as much as possible, with balance being made in lower taxes on other more important goods and services. Cell phones are used by insufferable fuckwits all over the world. Thirty years ago we didn't have cell phones at all and nobody died because of that.
Cell phones should be in the same or higher tax brackets as booze and tobacco. Actually, they should have higher taxes, since we already have smoke-free areas everywhere. Sitting next to a cell talker has about the same irritation factor as sitting next to a smoker.
If driving while talking on a hands free setup is dangerous, surely driving while talking to someone else in the car is equally as dangerous. So in your perfect world would you ban people from talking while in the car?
Another person in the car is fully aware of whats going on in the vehicle.
1) They are a second set of eyes.
2) When something tricky is happening, like you having to slam on your breaks, they quickly shut up and let you concentrate on the immediate danger, where as the person on the phone keeps on talking, completely oblivious to anything that is happening.