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U.S. Department of Transportation considering ban on cell phone calls during flights

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The United States Department of Transportation is considering a new rule that would ban all in-flight cellular calls, the Wall Street Journal reported today. While some cell phone uses, such as social media apps and other data-dependent software, was recently declared permissible by the Federal Aviation Administration, voice calls are still up for debate, with the DOT arguing a phone call could be disruptive to other passengers.

In December the department will issue a proposition that will include a cellular call ban, though airlines are insisting the decision of whether not to allow calls should be theirs rather than the government’s. However, many airlines have reportedly said that even if it was their call, they would not allow calls on their flights. Some ideas to avoid the disruption have been floated by government officials, such as phone booths on planes where passengers would be free to make calls.

Because of the reasoning behind the potential decision, flyers wouldn’t necessarily be able to lean on the technical difference between VOIP and cellular phone calls to get around the restriction, either.

We’ll know more about the Department of Transportation’s plans when it officially proposes the change later this year.

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Comments

  1. David Ransier - 10 years ago

    Does that mean that the DOT will remove the telephone handsets on the backs of many airplane seats? Or is it only bothering others if the airlines aren’t collecting huge fees for making the calls?

    David R

  2. mpias3785 - 10 years ago

    I could live with a phone booth, but jabbering passengers on an already loud plane would be torture.

    • herb02135go - 10 years ago

      Maybe after this they can tackle the issue of people carrying-on luggage that they cannot carry.

      • Cesar C. (@invisiman71) - 10 years ago

        I think the DOT needed to fix that before this cell phone crap. I was on a flight a week ago and some lady and her husband had three carry-ons that should have been checked in. Damned incompetence trying to get their luggage on for free…

  3. OneOkami (@OneOkami) - 10 years ago

    Personally, an airplane environment is similar to a movie theater environment, I really don’t wanna hear your constant yapping, and I do believe people tend to be more discreet when speaking in person than on the phone.

    • NQZ (@surgesoda) - 10 years ago

      Which is why having a “phone booth” or just make your call in the bathroom solves the problem.
      Next. Why is government so inefficient? It took me two seconds to figure that out.

      • herb02135go - 10 years ago

        You are not required to follow laws that the government must follow. Or do you prefer a dictatorship?

      • kevicosuave - 10 years ago

        Great, so now that one lavatory is going to be occupied the entire flight by someone wanting to make a phone call.

      • herb02135go - 10 years ago

        There is no way the airlines will give up a money-making seat to accommodate cell phone talkers.

        My guess is the public will complain but that’s it. There isn’t much of a choice. Beside, when was the last time flying was pleasant?

  4. ovumcerebrum - 10 years ago

    Had airline cell calls been banned in 2001, the plane targeting Washington DC on 9/11 would have hit its target rather than be taken away from hijackers and crashed into a Pennsylvania field. The heroic passengers were told via phone calls that the plane they were on was going to be used in a suicide mission.

    • herb02135go - 10 years ago

      What a moronic statement that attempts to exploit 9/11 victims.

      • David Ransier - 10 years ago

        I don’t see where any of the 911 victims are exploited by the previous statement. In fact, since they acted on the information they received via cell phones, that makes them heroes.

        herb02135go, your statement is the more “moronic” one.

    • rahhbriley - 10 years ago

      I mean the government was behind 9/11 so really we’ve already started this debate off on the wrong path.

    • herb02135go - 10 years ago

      Ovum tried to use 9/11 for political gain.

      Saying a stupid comment like his is exploiting does not denigrate heroism.
      Go read a dictionary, David.

  5. randomkhaos - 10 years ago

    there’s always the ostentatious cell phone user who wants every one within shouting distance to hear how important his call is. And there’s little possibility of escaping being impressed by moving far enough away.

  6. Gregory Wright - 10 years ago

    Can’t you give it a rest during the flight.