The Real Reasons Phones Are Kept Off Planes

jcatcw writes "Mike Elgan argues that the the real reason that cell phones calls are not allowed is fear of crowd control problems if calls are allowed during flight. Also, the airlines like keeping passengers ignorant about ground conditions. The two public reasons, interference with other systems, could easily be tested, but neither the FAA nor the FCC manage to do such testing."

Comments

Re:funny

[Shatrat]

Oh, and good luck with the E911 crap I think that if you have to call 911 from a plane, them finding your location is the least of your problems.

Re:funny

[Anonymous Coward]

I think that if you have to call 911 from a plane, them finding your location is the least of your problems.

Yeah, you better watch out for the snakes instead.

Too true

[A nonymous Coward]

They should ban kids from carryon luggage and make parents check them.

Re:funny

[Marillion]

I'm pretty sure I don't agree with the crowd control theory either.

In the six years I worked at an airline, I've never heard anyone speak of passengers as negatively as this article does.

Re:funny

[quick_dry_3]

Oh, and good luck with the E911 crap... In the course of a minute, you've gone from the east end of a major city to the west end according to the cells.

Hello operator, I need a fire truck with a REEEALLY long ladder.

Though if things are that big an emergency, when they need your location it'll be "that big smoking crater".

Re:9-11?

[Anonymous Coward]

I think the plane crashed because they all used their cell phones.

Flamebait

[Toby_Tyke]

I mean, they don't allow you to sit in the cockpit anymore. Another thing islam has ruined.
--
vi VS emacs arguments are pointless and a waste of time.

vi is the best.

Attacking a religion like that is just pure flamebait.

You probably shouldn't have brought up Islam either.

Oh, goodbye karma.