If Europe Can Handle In-Flight Cellphone Use, So Can America

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Anyone with common sense knows this is a distorted view of what will happen if voice calls are allowed in flight: Just look at what its like to have people with cell phones around you in the rest of your world, then compress that annoyance into the most densely populated space you ever occupy. Disaster.
Biersack is a lobbyist with Balch & Bingham (http://www.balch.com/cbiersack/) and the domain for this supposed grassroots coalition (passengercommunications.com) is registered with a proxy organization so you can't easily figure out who is behind it. Its disappointing that US News doesn't point out the nature of this propaganda piece rather than let it ring like the grassroots effort it *isn't*.
Bad idea. Support a ban on call in flight so we can all have some sanity and civility when we're in a place we can't get away from for many hours.

Brian Cooley of CA 9:29AM October 26, 2009

Mr. Biersack, who apparently resides in a different time-space continuum than I do, writes: "Finally, it has been obvious to passengers that a plane seat is not a private phone booth, and they exercise self-censorship."
These would be the same people who stand behind you in the grocery store checkout line complaining about their in-laws at 90 decibels? The woman at the adjoining table sharing the results of her recent colonoscopy with the entire restaurant? For cell phone blabbermouths, the whole world is a telephone booth and the concept of private vs. public spaces is unknown.
We already put up with horrible airline service, interminable delays and planes packed like sardine cans. Don't make it worse.

Mandy Cat of CO 12:24PM August 28, 2009

I am very sick and tired of everyone on a cell phone.
It disrupts traffic and causes noise pollution in a relatively
quit places. I don't think I could stand someone next
to me on a flight constantly talking on a cell phone.
We took a train from Quebec City to Montreal and the lady
in the seat in front of us talked on her cell phone the
whole way. Infuriating.

pinkclous of GA 3:46PM August 27, 2009

In my State it's illegal to drive and use a cell phone without a wireless device. Even though it's against the law, what
amazes me is the # of drivers I see holding a phone to his or her ear while driving.
When clients are in my office a colleague or my voice mail
service will take the call that I will return later out of
courtosey to the individual at my desk. The same does not
hold true of cell phone users who visit my workplace. I am constantly forced to wait while a client answers 2-3-4-5-6 phone calls during MY time.
I cannot go to a restaurant, a coffeehouse, a grocery store,
a shopping mall, a park, or any other public place without
having to listen to someone else's loud personal conversation.
I sometimes cannot visit a family member in his or her home
(or visa-versa) without having to wait while he or she takes
yet another cell phone call.
Just last week while trying to conduct business in a State Government Office my conversation was interrupted by the
State Employee answering a cell phone on company time.
I hope this doesn't occur as often as the hold up in the
grocery store check out line while the cashier takes a
personal call on his or her cell while I wait.
If American's cannot keep cell phones off while it's
illegal (and dangerous) to use them, in public places
where they are sure to disturb others, or on company time
what makes us think they will be courteous about the way
they are used on airplanes.
I fail to see how allowed use would be a benefit to anyone
BUT the loud, discourteous and disrespectful passenger who
is sure to be a mennace to anyone unfortunate enough to be
seated next to he or she.

shannon of CT 1:24PM August 26, 2009

I am not sure which airlines or aircraft the author flies on, but my most recent cross-country flight was basically on a prop plane crammed to maximum capacity with over 140 people.
I can only imagine the irritation, outbursts and anger that could have ensued if only 1/8 or even 1/10 of the 140 people tried to place a call at the same time and found their call could not be completed.
While I am normally against government legislation, air travel is a special situation. Once I board an airplane, I am a hostage of the airline until they decide to let me off the plane. Unlike a train or bus, I can not move my seat if my seatmate is talking loudly or creating a nuisance. I can not get off at the next train or bus stop if the traveling experience becomes unbearable. No, I am forced to maintain my assigned seat regardless of how uncomfortable or downright dangerous the travel becomes.
Cell phone calls are unnecessary during the flight. With Wi-Fi communications, a person can communicate with those on the ground, SILENTLY, via email or text. There is no need to make flying even more unenjoyable by allowing cell phone use in-flight.

Melby of DE 12:40PM August 26, 2009

I am not sure which airlines or aircraft the author flies on, but my most recent cross-country flight was basically on a prop plane crammed to maximum capacity with over 140 people.
I can only imagine the irritation, outbursts and anger that could have ensued if only 1/8 or even 1/10 of the 140 people tried to place a call at the same time and found their call could not be completed.
While I am normally against government legislation, air travel is a special situation. Once I board an airplane, I am a hostage of the airline until they decide to let me off the plane. Unlike a train or bus, I can not move my seat if my seatmate is talking loudly or creating a nuisance. I can not get off at the next train or bus stop if the traveling experience becomes unbearable. No, I am forced to maintain my assigned seat regardless of how uncomfortable or downright dangerous the travel becomes.
Cell phone calls are unnecessary during the flight. With Wi-Fi communications, a person can communicate with those on the ground, SILENTLY, via email or text. There is no need to make flying even more unenjoyable by allowing cell phone use in-flight.

Melby of DE 12:38PM August 26, 2009

Sorry, I don't agree that Americans or anyone else for that matter, can keep their voices at a level on cell phones so as not to be disturbing. For my part they could ban them in all public places. I get tired of hearing a one-sided conversation in a restaurant or grocery store about the kids, spouse, in-laws, and the dog, often very heated. To add that in a crowded aircraft would be more than I could take.

Cindy Sickmeyer of IL 12:13PM August 26, 2009

It is hard enough to deal with those who cannot be off the cell phone for more than 5 minutes in the gate areas--to be on a plane with 20-30 people "taking care of business" would be a nightmare. (Actually some of those people talk so loudly they don't really even need cell phones!) I fly several times a month and absolutely could not bear being confined on a plane with even one person on a cell phone--Ugh-the thought of it!

LJ of IN 12:12PM August 26, 2009

Apparently Mr. Biersack doesn't fly very often! We should NOT let passengers use cell phones during flights. And frankly, I don't care WHAT Europe is doing.

D.A. Formella of CA 11:47AM August 26, 2009

This is industry clap-trap. Anyone who has sat on a plane held on the ground next to a hyper Type-A bully with a cell phone knows that there is no such thing as "self censorship" or the "isolated rude passenger." Please do not allow the few relatively peaceful hours inflight to disappear!

D.J. Brown of PA 11:04AM August 26, 2009