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FCC to cell phone users: drop dead

April 3, 2007

The Federal Communications Commission doesn’t want us to use cell phones on planes. It’s apparently so adamant about it that it’s stopped listening to those of us who want to be able to fire up our handsets on board.

In an order issued today — and folks, I would encourage you to actually read the full text instead of relying on a reporter or blogger to tell you what’s in it — the FCC determined that “given the lack of technical information” about the safety of using wireless devices on board it will no longer consider whether to approve the devices on planes.

“We do not believe that seeking further comment at this juncture will provide us with the necessary technical information in the near term,” the FCC wrote. “Accordingly, we conclude that this proceeding should be terminated. ”

Now, never mind in Europe (which is light years ahead of the U.S. when it comes to using cellular technology) this is a non-issue. Back in 2005, two airlines announced they had green-lighted the use of mobile phones on planes. It should be noted that neither of those airlines have had an accident or near-accident that could be linked to the use of a wireless device since then.

No, the U.S. government has made its decision.

Why did it decide to cut off debate? The order offers few clues. It mentions another study and recommendations by an agency that are expected to be issued later this year, and it leaves the door open for further debate (“We may,” it writes, “reconsider this issue in the future if appropriate technical data is available for our review.”)

So whodunit? The cell phone lobby? Passenger groups? Airframe manufacturers? Pilots unions? The mafia?

Who knows …

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

12 comments

  • MrBadExample

    Thank God,

    A refuge from the self important has been preserved. At least for now.

  • Emanuel Molho

    Is it really necessary to use cell phones on planes and in cars, especially when there is the real possibility of potential danger? How about a modicum of quietness for those who cannot bear the self-important, insufferable boors who subject all of us to their cell phone stupidities?

    Cell phone addicts are unconscious, disrespectful, discourteous and obnoxious. Public transportation and areas; doctors’ offices; theaters; restaurants; checkout lines; just about everywhere. In their own dream world walking like zombies in the street, or “driving” their cars. Their business, everyone’s business. Unable to bear silence or be by, or with, themselves for a moment. Totally oblivious to—and inconsiderate of—their neighbors.

    Cell phones will be as ubiquitous in airplanes as they are in places where we are all held captive. These (ab)users ought to be relegated to their own soundproof cabin, compelled to suffer one another’s inanities. For the entire flight.

    I, and hopefully those who share these feelings, will give our business to the airlines that have the sense to ban them.

  • Peter Chau

    I thank the FCC for making this decision of not allowing cellphones on planes. This is not a safety issue for me. I commute by train to work and I don’t realize so many people chat on the phone so loud and so long. It is so inconsiderate for people who want some quiet time to read of take a nap. I can imagine letting people use their cellphones in a plane on a long flight.

  • Carrie Charney

    Maybe the FCC read the study that found that most people stuck in an enclosed space with relentless noisy cacophony will go stark raving mad and attack the flight crew. To me, that’s the main technical difficulty!

  • Jim Coates

    Woohoo!!! I, for one, am thrilled about this. We already have to contend with screaming babies and the incessant amount of background noise in an airplane during flight. I am so glad that we do not also have to contend with the unrelenting jabbering of people on thir cell phones. Most people insist on shouting into their cell phones on the ground. They would be screaming at the tops of their lungs into their cell phones in the air. This is one of the few times I’ve applauded an FCC decision!

  • Chris Zimmel

    I don’t care what the reason might be – unlike you all I can say is “thank God”. Incessant blathering by self-important yackers is the bane of my existence. I have never once heard a cell phone talker utter one single word that amounted to anything but prattle. To be locked in a box with a hundred chattering idiots is my idea of hell!

  • deuceyourserve

    Thank God the FCC stopped listening. Now if only the rest of us could stop listening to the morons who believe that all space is their space. As for the Europeans–why should they be any less self-involved than we are?

  • Tommie Imbernino

    Have you ever stood in a line and couldn’t help but overhear the conversation the person in front was having in front of you – speaking loudly and animated. You want to tell her/him to shut up but you don’t.

    And to think that some want to continue their conversations on the airplane, where you are held captive listening to a one way conversation. YUK! No thanks!!!

    They can live for a few hours without telling their friend about the dreadful night they had last night. They live without a cigarette, they can live without the phone in their ears. And then, of course there is security. Isn’t using a cell phone a good way to set off a bomb?

  • Willy

    Thank god! Is it me, or does the slant of this article seem like Elliott wants cell phones on board? Let us have peace and quiet, please!

  • Vicki Fuller

    don’t think cell phones should be allowed on board an airplane- some people just don’t get the courtesy thing. However, I do think people should be allowed to use them in the terminal and waiting/boarding areas. That poor woman who lost out on her job interview due to delayed/cancelled flights would have had no options (they could have interviewed her via phone, then re-scheduled the in-person interview!)

  • MCG

    I find it interesting that [I believe without exception] the reader comments are due to others in the cabin having to listen to the loud blathering of the cell phone users. I agree 100% with this. [I also
    don't care to listen to my wife in the other room on the land-line because she talks too loud. So, this is not just a cell phone issue.]

    OTOH, no one has even mentioned the idea of allowing cell phones to be turned on to allow ONLY text messaging, E-Mail [they are not the same] and/or Web access. Of course, this assumes no technical problem, which from what I’ve read, HAS been proven to be a non-issue to everyone except for the FCC and the anti-cell users.

    I can justify this use, not because I am afraid to be out of contact, alone or all the other purely emotional rants in the comments, but on a business need. Often, especially on long flights, I use thetime to get some work done. It is not unusual in my business to need:
    a) An answer to a technical question.
    b) A collegue’s opinion or comment.
    c) Further detail from a client about the issue we are going to address when I arrive.
    It is also not unreasonable to want to alert someone about a delay in arrival of a flight to minimize the time a person might have to sit and wait at the airport for a late flight. The time from wheels-down to
    baggage claim is not enough lead time and, too often, the airline alerts, status information on their Web site are just not adequate nor as accurate as what a passenger can provide. You have small kids. Has your wife ever had to leave more than an hour before scheduled arrival to pick you up. Did ie ever require interrupting a sleeping infant? BTW, I have grandkids too old for this, but I remember when it was an
    issue.

    2) It is an interesting technicality in the FCC notice that their investigation appeared bo be limited to:
    “…the use of 800 MHz cellular handsets…”
    Now, my particular phone [a Palm Treo 650] and most of the GSM ohones that work on the Cingular, T-Mobile, et al, network are so-called quad-band phones that operate on 850, 900, 1800, 1900. Cingular uses both 850 and 1900 in the USA; 900 and 1800 in Europe. The 800
    band, AFAIK, is used in Japan. A Five band phone (800/850/1700/1900/2100) is possible but none have been announced according to Wikipedia. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad_band) So,
    the FCC document actually appears not to be applicable to most of the phones in the USA.

  • Doreen Szeles

    All I have to say is “Amen”. How would you like to be stuck on the runway for 12 hours like those poor passengers and have everyone complaining on their cell’s “yikes”

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