In Transit Blog: Cellphone Calls on Planes? Flight Attendants Say No

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 24 November 2013 | 17.36

The Federal Communications Commission received immediate pushback on a proposal  on Thursday for cellphone use during flights from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

Tom Wheeler, who became chairman of the F.C.C. earlier this month, said that a proposal to "expand consumer access and choice for in-flight mobile broadband" had been circulated, according to a brief statement posted on the F.C.C. website.

"Modern technologies can deliver mobile services in the air safely and reliably, and the time is right to review our outdated and restrictive rules," Mr. Wheeler said. "I look forward to working closely with my colleagues, the F.A.A., and the airline industry on this review of new mobile opportunities for consumers."

The Association of Flight Attendants' quick rebuttal came in a release saying that it opposed any changes that would allow in-flight voice calls.

"Flight attendants, as first responders and the last line of defense in our nation's aviation system, understand the importance of maintaining a calm cabin environment," the release said. "Any situation that is loud, divisive, and possibly disruptive is not only unwelcome but also unsafe."

The association said that passengers also "overwhelming reject cellphone use" in aircraft cabins, citing polls and surveys that had been conducted over the years.

"Besides potential passenger conflicts, flight attendants also are concerned that in emergencies, cellphone use would drown out announcements and distract from life-saving instructions from the crew."

"The F.C.C.'s piece in this whole puzzle of devices on planes has to do with signal interference," Mark Wigfield, a spokesman for the F.C.C., said on the telephone Thursday evening.

The proposal notes, he said, that there are systems in place on planes in Europe and Asia that use picocells to connect phones with networks.

"We're asking the question: If we put this in place, is it safe?"

But ultimately, he said, it will be up to the Federal Aviation Administration and the airlines to determine whether they want to install the equipment and pay for the connections. "That's all going to be a cost," he said.

Once the proposal is refined it will be published for comment from the public, airlines and anyone else with an opinion on the matter.

Tell us what you think about passengers being able to make calls during flights in the comments field below.


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