WASHINGTON-Passengers on airplanes do not want the ban on cell-phone use while in flight lifted, according to a study released Thursday morning by the Association of Flight Attendants/Communications Workers of America and the National Consumers League.
“Just think about being confined inside an aluminum tube several thousand feet above the ground with no place to go to get away from the person next to you, across the aisle, in front or in back of you chatting away on his cell phone. It is noisy inside those airplanes, and people are going to have to speak-or feel as if they have to speak-louder in order to be able to be heard,” said Patricia Friend, international president of the AFA/CWA.
Almost two-thirds of survey participants wanted to keep the ban on cell-phone use while in flight.
The survey was conducted by Lauer Research Inc., and 702 landline households with someone who had flown at least once during the past two years were surveyed last week. The survey has a margin of error of 3.7 percent.
“This survey and the popularity of the Do-Not-Call Registry for telemarketing illustrate the growing desire of many consumers to put up the do-not-disturb sign and have some peace and quiet,” said Susan Grant, vice president of public policy for the National Consumers League. “There will be no place to hide from unwanted aggravation.”
The Federal Communications Commission in December proposed allowing cell-phone use in airplanes while in flight. The FCC this week extended the comment period to May 26.
Friend said that 99 percent of the comments filed so far have been in opposition, but she acknowledged that AFA/CWA provides a form letter on its Web site to make it easier to file comments with the FCC.
Use of transmitting devices for either data or voice gets tricky, so the Consumer Electronics Association has been working with the airlines and manufacturers to see if there is a way to make it obvious if someone is transmitting. Currently transmitting devices are prohibited during flight, although electronic devices can be used after the first 10 minutes after takeoff up until 10 minutes before landing. Cell-phone use is allowed once initial taxing on the runway has occurred, but the use of combination devices, such as Blackberries or smart phones is not allowed, said Valerie Walker, chair of the safety, health and security committee of the American Flight Attendants Master Executive Council.
