You know what's awesome when I fly? NO ONE can call me. Not only do my neighbors not have to hear me argue with my kid, I don't have to argue with my kid. You don't have to hear about my latest assignment and I don't get a new assignment. I am completely accessible every other moment of my life, I have a Blackberry and an iPhone and at least four email accounts. New York to LA is the most peaceful six hours of my month, please let me keep them.
Do cell phones on planes even work? I know there are famous examples, e.g. 9/11, etc., but every time I've surreptitiously turned on my phone or accidentally kept it on during the flight, it's never actually picked up any signal. I would think this would be only relevant if you're maybe a couple hundred feet above? i.e. just before landing?
Do American's still clap and woo when the plane lands? I always thought that was awesome. Us miserable Brits don't do it... instead we moan about the flight and barge our way off the plane.
To all the people complaining about how "assholes" are always talking on their phones and how they should be legally banned from doing so. Have you never considered that maybe somebody has something important to do? Maybe a relative is in the hospital, maybe it is anything. You cannot expect to have perfect peace and quiet on an airplane, or a bus, or a city street. People are allowed to talk. To expect other people to inconvenience themselves for your comfort is being an asshole.
@KicktheCAN: To expect other people to inconvenience themselves for your comfort is being an asshole.
As is inconveniencing those around you for your luxury of talking on the phone while in flight. Obviously, if the call you are making is a real emergency, explaining this to anyone who complains should settle the issue.
ban voice, if US airlines start getting it there will be fights on the plane. It's just like buses people are yacking all the time and won't shut the hell up, put them on a plane for a couple of hours someones phone is going to get smashed.
I totally agree. Nothing makes me go mental faster than having to listen to some jackass' inane conversation, and to witness their insensitivity to everyone around them with their loud ass voice. It's bad enough on the train or bus.
@Akibake-:
Yeah that is pretty annoying. You know what else annoys me? Women! I will vote to ban them from flights too! I will vote to ban anything that annoys me!
@The_Gas_Man: Um, I would prefer only women be allowed on the flights I am on, but that's just how I ride.
(I sure hope my wife does not read my comments on Gizmodo or I may be sleeping in the garage tonight.)
My stupid comments aside, banning talking on cell phones on flights is the only logical conclusion. The last thing any of us wants is an annoying loud person next to us screaming into a cell phone for even a few seconds. It is bad enough that we have to engage in pleasant conversation with the person, but having to listen to them complain about their boss for hours -- no thanks.
If it becomes an issue, then doesnt it become a problem the airlines will want to take care of in order to keep the maximum number of customers happy (the hundred other passengers over the one talker)? An outright ban just seems extreme.
All the other situations mentioned (buses and trains) are public transport. This law is essentially banning a practice on private transport that isnt banned on public transport. Doesnt that seema a bit backwards?
@ObligatoryChickCommenter: Most laws exist so that states/countries can profit off the fees. So yeah, the law is necessary, as much as bitches need to get paid.
Congress can kiss my ass. I'm sick and tired of seeing my rights being trampled on by the nanny state that this country is becoming. I can't bring guns on planes. I can't bring knives on planes. I can't bring sodas on planes. And I can't use my phone on planes.
Speaking of sodas, WTF?! Congress?!! They want to tax my sodas and my juice. Congress can't regulate that! Read the CONSTITUTION!!! It doesn't say that the government can put taxes on stuff like soda and candy and cigarettes and alcohol. This is just Congress trying to get rich over things that people like.
Meanwhile, Congress doesn't do anything about people spouting off dumb stuff on TV. I'm not talking about bad language (I'm cool with keeping that off TV). I have a right to not hear about homosexual marriage this and freedom-that.
Congress is ruining this country with all their intruding on my freedoms. If I want to talk on the phone on the plane, I should be able to.
@OMG! Ponies!: well, perhaps you should get Bose to lobby congress against the law/ban on cell-phones on planes and then Bose can make a killing on their noise-canceling headphones. and Ponies! i hope you don't abandon your platform against the poors. that is fundamental to building a better America.
Are you kidding? You want the government to ban talking on a cell phone midflight, something that isn't even a problem in this country, because it might be annoying?
I'd love to hear a legitimate reason why you think the government has any such power to do this.
@cpthook: You will not deem any reason that anyone gives you to be legitimate, so what's the point?
But anyway, the reason I think they should be banned is because the majority of people in the US have shown they do not have the courtesy or awareness of other people that would allow them to make the choice of when to use the phone. They just choose to use the phone because they have it, and it's theirs, and fuck everyone else.
People can't even hang up the phone when they should be driving, and instead, cause or nearly cause accidents from their slower driving or inattentiveness to the car in front of them.
Until people can learn some fucking self control and respect for others in this country, they need to be told what the fuck to do in situations like this. No matter if it's the airlines or the government telling them.
I don't want to hear someone talking at the top of their voice to someone in the grocery store or a book store, or a restaurant or anywhere for that matter. But since I can usually walk away from a person in that case, I don't see it needs to be banned there. But stick me in a plane for 3 to 6 hours next to someone that has the opportunity to use that phone, and no, just no. Fuck that.
And right now, you can tell beforehand the ones that are going to do it. The ones that immediately turn on the phone and call someone when the plane is taxiing to the terminal. And no, I don't mean the people that are saying, "I'm here, come pick me up." I mean the people that immediately start a stupid conversation that could wait 20 minutes for them to get in the terminal.
Until people can stop being inconsiderate and realize that other people besides themselves actually exist, they don't get to choose for themselves. Sorry if that makes you cry.
@smcallah: And nobody says excuse me when they burp anymore! There is just no courtesy in this country. I think while we are at it we should institute laws against farting in public, coughing without covering your mouth, putting your fork on the wrong side of the plate, and saying "bless you" when people sneeze. Then we can finally have a polite society where everybody is courteous of everybody else.
@Suttin: Because it's very very fucking annoying, that's why. You're not going to get some concerned mother checking up on her children, or some guy asking his contact to change plans for a rescheduled flight. You're very likely going to get some asshole blathering on about random crap that they remember, or someone arguing with a scorned lover on the other end of the line, and it will be obnoxious.
And I'm sure you are completely wrong. When I see people walking around the mall or walmart or whatever, just blabbing on the phone, 90% of them are just gibbering about nonsense like what the woman down the street said in church. The other 10% will be someone asking if we have enough milk, and they hang up immediately. I'm sorry, your life isn't so interesting that every minute detail of it needs to be explained to someone as it happens. Sorry you are bored on the bus ride...deal.
@Saboth: Sorry you can't put in some headphones and ignore it, deal. And I don't talk on the phone, I hate talking on the phone. I text message if I need anything. This isn't about me. It's about you and you needing everyone else to cater to your needs for silence, get some headphones, get some earplugs, or ask the jackass to be quiet. No reason to force everyone from sending and receiving quick and important calls because of your sensitive ears.
@Justinpaulson: You don't fly often do you. I swear, there was a time in the world when people were able to fall off the grid and not fucking panic about it. It's just common courtesy not to talk on the phone in such a confined space on the plane.
@UGAdawg: I used to fly a LOT, I don't fly much anymore, and I think it should remain common courtesy, not a law/rule. There are always circumstances that may arise where a simple cell phone call or text message can change a lot of outcomes. If people aren't being courteous about it, then talk to them politely.
@Justinpaulson: If we were on a flight next to each other, I probably wouldn't mind if you make a call, because you seem courteous enough to keep it in check. But unfortunately, the majority of cell phone users that I come in contact with on a daily basis are not as accessible, nor receptive to criticism.
What kind of reaction am I going to get from Mr. Business man, when a complete stranger approaches him politely to ask him to lower his voice? If you think he's going to respond favorably, I think you are being an idealist, and the reality is usually not ideal.
The problem is that people feel entitled. For example, the dude who pays an arm and a leg for a Hummer feels entitled to drive the thing around, guzzling gas faster than they can pump it out of the ground. That person is thinking about the money he spent, not about how it negatively affects everyone else.
The same concept extends to the cell phone user. It's a nice convenience, and sometimes comes at a hefty price as with smart phones and data plans. However, simply paying those costs seems to give users a sense of entitlement to ignore common courtesy. Further, they seem to get wrapped up in the conversation, raise their voices, and lose all sensitivity to those around them.
In this situation, I think the greater good should be considered. One person's phone call will affect a dozen or more people on the plane. Also, the number of critical emergency calls compared to the number of disturbing non-emergency calls pales in comparison.
I'm all for open lines of communication, even at 30,000 ft, but only silent forms like SMS, MMS, IM, or email. It should be common courtesy, but unfortunately a lot of people don't think about how they affect others, and therein lies the problem.
I'm with you 110% on banning mid-flight cells. For the most part, I imagine a lot of self-aware folks would take into account how their talk-time may affect the comfort of their fellow passengers, but you're going to get a few boisterous people who don't care what kind of scene they make, or laugh at the worst possible time at whatever douche #2 on the other end just said.
Unless you're on AF1, you don't need your phone midflight. If it's that important, it can wait until you're on the ground. If it can't wait until you're on the ground, then you need to reorganize your life.
@Kaiser-Machead: I always gave a 110% in math class. This is why I have the very important job of ensuring that the lettuce is always clean and that grease traps are empty at the end of the day.
AND as assistant manager in training level 2 class at McDonalds there are times when I MUST be on the phone in a plane. Of course I've never been on an Aeroplane but how would the schedule get changed, and orders placed...yeah I thought so.
I rest my case. period.
jk you still have a little heart and star in my book.
Kaiser-Machead promoted this comment
Edited by Ain't gettin a star at 09/28/09 2:51 PM
Ain't gettin a star was starred
Ain't gettin a star was unstarred
@Kaiser-Machead: Actually I call it soda (Philadelphia) my wife calls it pop (Pittsburgh aka barbarians) and you call is cola (???) This is why English fails us all the time how can you have 3 words for the same thing. They addressed this specific problem in Hero.
You can get your cola with those nuts over at Wendy's.
09/29/09
But then what about voip?
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I think people generally only do that when the pilot accomplishes a smooth landing without any bumps or shaking.
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Also, not everybody has texting.
09/28/09
As is inconveniencing those around you for your luxury of talking on the phone while in flight. Obviously, if the call you are making is a real emergency, explaining this to anyone who complains should settle the issue.
09/28/09
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Oh hey Adam! What's up! :)
09/28/09
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09/28/09
Yeah that is pretty annoying. You know what else annoys me? Women! I will vote to ban them from flights too! I will vote to ban anything that annoys me!
09/28/09
(I sure hope my wife does not read my comments on Gizmodo or I may be sleeping in the garage tonight.)
My stupid comments aside, banning talking on cell phones on flights is the only logical conclusion. The last thing any of us wants is an annoying loud person next to us screaming into a cell phone for even a few seconds. It is bad enough that we have to engage in pleasant conversation with the person, but having to listen to them complain about their boss for hours -- no thanks.
09/28/09
09/28/09
If it becomes an issue, then doesnt it become a problem the airlines will want to take care of in order to keep the maximum number of customers happy (the hundred other passengers over the one talker)? An outright ban just seems extreme.
All the other situations mentioned (buses and trains) are public transport. This law is essentially banning a practice on private transport that isnt banned on public transport. Doesnt that seema a bit backwards?
09/28/09
09/28/09
Speaking of sodas, WTF?! Congress?!! They want to tax my sodas and my juice. Congress can't regulate that! Read the CONSTITUTION!!! It doesn't say that the government can put taxes on stuff like soda and candy and cigarettes and alcohol. This is just Congress trying to get rich over things that people like.
Meanwhile, Congress doesn't do anything about people spouting off dumb stuff on TV. I'm not talking about bad language (I'm cool with keeping that off TV). I have a right to not hear about homosexual marriage this and freedom-that.
Congress is ruining this country with all their intruding on my freedoms. If I want to talk on the phone on the plane, I should be able to.
09/28/09
09/28/09
09/28/09
I'd love to hear a legitimate reason why you think the government has any such power to do this.
09/28/09
But anyway, the reason I think they should be banned is because the majority of people in the US have shown they do not have the courtesy or awareness of other people that would allow them to make the choice of when to use the phone. They just choose to use the phone because they have it, and it's theirs, and fuck everyone else.
People can't even hang up the phone when they should be driving, and instead, cause or nearly cause accidents from their slower driving or inattentiveness to the car in front of them.
Until people can learn some fucking self control and respect for others in this country, they need to be told what the fuck to do in situations like this. No matter if it's the airlines or the government telling them.
I don't want to hear someone talking at the top of their voice to someone in the grocery store or a book store, or a restaurant or anywhere for that matter. But since I can usually walk away from a person in that case, I don't see it needs to be banned there. But stick me in a plane for 3 to 6 hours next to someone that has the opportunity to use that phone, and no, just no. Fuck that.
And right now, you can tell beforehand the ones that are going to do it. The ones that immediately turn on the phone and call someone when the plane is taxiing to the terminal. And no, I don't mean the people that are saying, "I'm here, come pick me up." I mean the people that immediately start a stupid conversation that could wait 20 minutes for them to get in the terminal.
Until people can stop being inconsiderate and realize that other people besides themselves actually exist, they don't get to choose for themselves. Sorry if that makes you cry.
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@lostarchitect: dude settle down, if you don't want people to ever be able to use their phones then move to a commune that doesn't have electricity.
09/28/09
And I'm sure you are completely wrong. When I see people walking around the mall or walmart or whatever, just blabbing on the phone, 90% of them are just gibbering about nonsense like what the woman down the street said in church. The other 10% will be someone asking if we have enough milk, and they hang up immediately. I'm sorry, your life isn't so interesting that every minute detail of it needs to be explained to someone as it happens. Sorry you are bored on the bus ride...deal.
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What kind of reaction am I going to get from Mr. Business man, when a complete stranger approaches him politely to ask him to lower his voice? If you think he's going to respond favorably, I think you are being an idealist, and the reality is usually not ideal.
The problem is that people feel entitled. For example, the dude who pays an arm and a leg for a Hummer feels entitled to drive the thing around, guzzling gas faster than they can pump it out of the ground. That person is thinking about the money he spent, not about how it negatively affects everyone else.
The same concept extends to the cell phone user. It's a nice convenience, and sometimes comes at a hefty price as with smart phones and data plans. However, simply paying those costs seems to give users a sense of entitlement to ignore common courtesy. Further, they seem to get wrapped up in the conversation, raise their voices, and lose all sensitivity to those around them.
In this situation, I think the greater good should be considered. One person's phone call will affect a dozen or more people on the plane. Also, the number of critical emergency calls compared to the number of disturbing non-emergency calls pales in comparison.
I'm all for open lines of communication, even at 30,000 ft, but only silent forms like SMS, MMS, IM, or email. It should be common courtesy, but unfortunately a lot of people don't think about how they affect others, and therein lies the problem.
09/28/09
Unless you're on AF1, you don't need your phone midflight. If it's that important, it can wait until you're on the ground. If it can't wait until you're on the ground, then you need to reorganize your life.
09/28/09
AND as assistant manager in training level 2 class at McDonalds there are times when I MUST be on the phone in a plane. Of course I've never been on an Aeroplane but how would the schedule get changed, and orders placed...yeah I thought so.
I rest my case. period.
jk you still have a little heart and star in my book.
09/28/09
09/28/09
You can get your cola with those nuts over at Wendy's.