Should In-Flight Cellphone Use Be Banned by Law?

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Absolutely not! No way!

Carl Thormeyer of CA 12:22AM August 31, 2009

Cell phones have totally invaded our lives and have created a new "Culture of Rudeness" that is just plain dangerous (people yacking away while driving, walking, ect). For centuries we did just fine without the darned things. I am 44 years old, college educated, and a military retiree. I had a cell phone for a few months, but I found myself so disgusted with other peoples rudeness in their usage of the devices that I stopped using my phone, and turned it into a recycling center.
My vote is absolutely NO to in-flight voice communications.

John Sullivan-Lehmbeck Jr. of TN 11:22AM August 24, 2009

There isn't a single good reason for cell phones to be available in flight. This is one time when Congress is right to regulate.

bluesguy of KS 5:51PM August 20, 2009

ban the nuisance or create sound proof areas although this might give another excuse to tax us with gouging fees

mphilipp of CA 5:26PM August 17, 2009

Dear God - NO!!!!
Texting I could live with, but to have 200 people yapping away about completely mundane subjects would drive us all crazy! There is precious little civility and good manners as it is on flights nowadays. I have no reason to believe cell phones would be judiciously and quietly used.

Katina Mataras of NJ 2:03PM August 17, 2009

I don't want cell phone use on the planes...it's bad enough when you're on the train, the bus, etc. People think it's ok to talk on your cell phone everywhere, and I realize I have violated this pact numerous times. There is nothing so important that cannot wait for you to land.

veronica of NH 1:15PM August 17, 2009

I travel frequently to Japan. Voice use of cell phones is prohibited on trains there. But there are lots of passengers texting away. So quiet! Do the same on planes. On arrival when cell phones can be used again, I always text my ride (rather than call) as a courtesy to my seat-mate.
One major technical problem. On the ground your cell phone is received by 3 or 4 cell sites (those big antenna towers) simultaneously. In flight, if you are close to a window, your cell phone will be received by a few dozen cell sites. Reception of your cell phone by a few dozen cell sites means reduced capacity left for everyone else...more dropped calls for the folks on the ground.
I strongly feel prohibiting voice cell phone use (at a minimum) is a good idea. As for the overweight passenger...airlines could start charging fare by the pound (including luggage)? I'm all for it!

James Rautio of NY 8:52PM August 16, 2009

I have to add my "NO" to cell phone usage on planes. I would like to think people had the sense to use common courtesy in the cocoon-like atmosphere at 35,000 feet; but I have not observed it in restaurants, stores or in any form of public transportation.

Joanne Haynes of NY 7:25PM August 16, 2009

Has anybody noticed that while Rep. DeFazio (who is against) used real numbers of people who so far used cell phones in Europe (10,000) Mr. Biersack (who is for) used percentages. It is so easy to disguise the issue when one uses indirect numbers.
Personally I am strongly opposed to the voice use of cell phones but I would be very much in favor of allowing text messaging.
On a recent flight from Europe I could not not only sleep but even read a book because two ladies behind me who did not knoe each other before became good friends and loudly told each (and the resy of the cabin) other all details of their personal lives. If it is bad now wait when people will talk on their cell phones with no regard to their seatmates.
I think that all loud talking should be prohibited on the planes and only sileny communications, like Internet instant messaging or text messaging on the cell phones, be allowed.

Isa Ten of CA 3:59PM August 16, 2009

Cell phone use on planes could be very annoying to those nearby, as it has already been demonstrated in subways, buses, water shuttles and other situations where one is unable to escape to a quieter area. Complaints from neighboring passengers might result in cell phone calls being carried on from the lavatories, the results of which are very predictable.
Could cell phone calls be limited to sending and receiving text messages?
This could provide virtually silent communication and might be the logical solution to this problem.

Edwin M. Knights of NH 1:31PM August 16, 2009