Extended Comment Period on Airline Cellphone Ban

The United States FCC is continuing to accept public comment on the issue of cell phone usage during commercial airline flights through 27 May 2005. I'm all in favor of making more technology options available to airplane passengers. It's silly that I need to carry a paper book or magazine to read during takeoff in stead of having the option to read text from an electronic screen on my laptop or PDA. Internet access for checking mail during a portion of the flight could offer a welcome distraction or productivity booster. The ability to send text messages via T9 or a text-centric device like a Blackberry wouldn't interfere with other passengers. What Jet Blue does with satellite television is a perfect way to keep passengers entertained in transit. The one technology advancement I don't want to see is the availability of cell phone conversation. In my mind, it's not a safety issue or a problem that couldn't be addressed by existing technology; it's a matter of respect for everyone else on the plane. Typing or reading or playing games or watching movies or any of the other activities made possible by electronic devices don't disturb others on the plane the same way a conversation might. I don't want to be subjected to inane blathering, verbal domestic disputes or one side of the big corporate deal that couldn't wait a few more hours. I have serious doubts about the neighbors in my row on a plane having any desire to hear my conversations either. Airplane seating is already encroaching on any amount of personal space while paying a fairly hefty fee for the privilege. I might be open to the idea of a special noise-proof section of the airplane where cell phone junkies can talk all they want. I shouldn't need to invest in expensive headphones just to keep out the noise of someone conversing on their phone next to me.

Posted by Jake

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Extended Comment Period on Airline Cellphone Ban

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