Slashdot Mirror
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.'"
Unfortunately (or fortunately), this might give the MPAA ideas about courtesy in theaters...
I have to say I am one of those people who disagrees with the rules against cell phones. I think stopping people from using them in stores/bars, in planes/trains, and in their cars is just silly, though in the case of cars I do think people should use handsfree. It's just that most handsfree solutions seem to suck. I certainly haven't found a decent solution for that despite many attempts.
However, when it comes to theatres I have to say there is no reason to allow people to use cell phones in theatres. If you think you're going to have to take a call you need to put the phone on vibrate and go outside to talk.
As a matter of fact, my favorite theatre has a rule about that. At the beginning of each movie they display a warning: "If you talk or use your cell phone during this movie we will take your ass out." It usually is in bold colours, like all in red, accompanied by an incredibly violent graphic of semirandom choice. There are a lot of things I like about that theatre, but this has to be the best feature. They also have a rule against bringing in children under a certain age, or children making noise. The only problem with this rule is that they do have a "whining baby night" or something like that, on tuesdays. I thought it was funny when someone who was new in town had the unfortunate experience of going on that night without knowing the rule. I was glad to find that it is definitely a good idea to avoid that night like the plague, which is an indication of why it is also good they have that rule in place on other nights.
I think they do sometimes waive the baby rule for the daytime showings of kid's films, but not for the showings at night. This way Linux gurus over 30 can slake their shameful, secret, Harry Potter habit without having to deal with a bunch of young children being loud during the movie.
Why the ban? So they can get $5/minute out of you and your credit card using the ridiculous AT&T phones installed in the back of the seat in front of you.
Technical information to say they interfere with systems? They most absolutely certainly do not. I bring my cell phone on every trip. I intentionally leave my phone on. I NEVER turn it off. And when I have it out, I turn my laptop screen off and intentionally leave the laptop itself on. Just to be a contrarian dickhead. And guess what? My planes have never crashed. Never veered off course. Never lost power. Nothing. It's fine.