[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Well there are two reasons why they might require no cell phone. One is the interference with electronics, which is the reason they are kept out of Hospitals. The other is as a post 9/11 security thing in a federal building. It beats strip searching infants, IMHO. Annoying, I agree.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

What kind of electronics does Social Security use?

I don't wanna pick a fight with you, but tyranny always slips in on the heels of "good reasons".

Don't validate their crappy excuses by accepting them!

[freeandfreezing]

I doubt it. The "interference with electronics" story is really pretty silly. I have worked on electronic equipment that is used in hospitals and there are plenty of much stronger sources of RFI interference in a hospitals. Medical equipment is very carefully designed and tested to be able to withstand much greater levels of RFI interference than any cell phone can generate. The "no cell phone" policy is really just intended to reduce the annoyance factor caused by some cell phone users and their ring tones.

I doubt the security thing as well. I've been in plenty of high security federal buildings where cell phones are allowed.

[freeplancer]

Obama has a Blackberry.

[La Lydia]

I work in a huge federal building and everyone has cel phones. Everybody in the Pentagon and the Capitol has cel phones. And they use them all the time. They aren’t banned. I can’t think why they would ban them from a county courthouse or a Social Security office. It doesn’t make any sense. The hospital ban I can understand, but the only other reason I can think of to ban them is the annoyance factor, in which case that is a very arbitrary decision.

[junkman_106]

Funny, here in Virginia the sign says “turn cell phone off”. I’ve seen (apparently) illiterate persons try to use same and they are only warned to turn the device off. And I don’t understand no use in Federal buildings...courtrooms I understand.

[NonValueAdded]

No, likely they don't want any surreptitious picture taking of your gubermint in action. And knowing Swampsniper, the pictures of rattus maximus would be really cool.

[Jenny217]

I think that since phones went from analog to digital they are no longer the threat they once were to equipment. I was told by hospital personnel that it is not the threat to equipment, but the nuisance factor that is keeping the signs up.

[azishot]

Next time, color your lips purple, grow a beard and drap a towel over your head and they’ll offer you coffee and cake. Just my opinion....

[azishot]

Sorry Lucius, #27 was supposed to be to Swampsniper...