A Phoney War
As the day nears when some airlines will be able to allow regular cell phone use on flights, a US survey has suggested that not everyone sees this as a desirable development.
The survey – by the Department of Transportation – shows that of those questioned, half would oppose the use of mobiles. About four out of ten said the facility should definitely or probably be permitted.
As might have been predicted, there’s a cell phone generation gap at work. There was more opposition among citizens 65 and over and more support from people aged 18 to 34.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Communications Commission currently ban passengers from making cell phone calls in-flight. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recently approved a bill to make the ban permanent.
The Committee’s action followed moves by the European Union to let airline passengers talk on their cell phones during flight if the technology allows. Some US airlines are experimenting with in-flight Internet access.
Lawmakers said they were worried that if the ban were lifted, arguments would break out among passengers about loud talking. There was also a fear that domestic American airlines might try to charge passengers extra to sit in no-phone sections.
by Andy Moreton
