FEDS CONSIDER ALLOWING CELL PHONE CALLS ON PLANES...

Drudge ^ | 10-09-2004 | linked by Drudge

[Jet Jaguar]

The Federal Communications Commission said that at its Dec. 15 meeting it will discuss possible revisions to rules prohibiting cell phone use on commercial flights. That's the first step of the process needed to lift the ban.

Cell phone use has been banned due to concerns about how it could affect an aircraft's navigation. And cell phones sometimes have trouble working when the plane is at cruising altitude because phone towers aren't built to project their signals that high.

[Jet Jaguar]

I did a search and got no results. If this is a duplicate, please pull.

[Admin Moderator]

Not a duplicate, thanks.

[Keith in Iowa]

From the article: "Can you imagine being in the middle seat between two business people making phone calls for 3 hours?" said Les Glass in an e-mail to CNN/Money. "What are the airlines and the FCC thinking?" That would be just about as bad as sitting next to a screaming baby for the duration of a 3 hour flight. Anyone who needs to be reachable 24/7 ought to stick to ground transportation.

[Drammach]

This is idiocy...

Hasn't anyone noticed that terrorists all over Iraq....

Are using cell phones to activate bombs?

[thackney]

Full article at:
http://cnnmoney.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=FCC+to+consider+in-flight+use+of+cell+phones+-+Dec.+9%2C+2004+&expire=&urlID=12537063&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2004%2F12%2F09%2Ftechnology%2Fpersonaltech%2Fcellphones_inflight%2Findex.htm&partnerID=2200

[thackney]

Hasn't anyone noticed that terrorists all over Iraq....

Are using cell phones to activate bombs?

I'm guessing the terrorist isn't concerned if he has permission to use the phone.

[Jet Jaguar]

If you have flown lately, people are constantly turning on their phones while in the air.

The bomb sniffers are working.

It makes sense to me to allow it. The the phones do not interfere with navigation systems on the aircraft.

[Drammach]

LOL..

You've got a point there..
TSA doesn't take your phone away, just tells you not to use it..

[Halgr]

Although it is possible to make calls from aircraft...the physical nature of a cellular network makes consistant success in calling unlikely.

The network is designed to pass a mobile user from one cell to the next....once the aircraft is at altitude the computer that passes off calls will become confused because it is not expecting a call from overhead...the signal strength will appear to be equal at several "receiving" cell towers....hence the likelyhood of dropped calls is raised significantly.

In landings and takeoffs (lower altitudes) I see no problems.

I worked for a major cellular provider for a number of years.

[I_dmc]

Well, I would think the obvious answer is a cell repeater, internal to the passenger compartment.

[Halgr]

I thought of that too....but where is that "repeater" going to join the network?

Sat connection?

And aren't in cabin Sat phones being developed already/or are in use for the flying consumer?

[Drammach]

My main concern is that the terrorist no longer has to worry about smuggling his explosives on board in his shoes, or carry on luggage..
It could go in below-board luggage, or an accomplice could plant it on the planes interior or exterior in a seperate activity... ( plane maintenance, tire changes, clean-up, re-fueling, de-icing, etc.. )

All the "martyr" on board needs is a cell-phone to activate it.. and the correct phone # to call.

But, as Thackney pointed out, they don't take your phone, they just tell you not to use it..
Anyone inclined to suicide bombing probably isn't too concerned about rules on cell-phone use..

[samtheman]

I predict fights will ensue over this. Between loud phone talkers and people who want to sleep.

[Jet Jaguar]

I predict the service will be shoddy and most will be disappointed that they cannot carry on a 2 minute conversation or get no service at all. But, it would sure be nice to get your messages during flight...

[Nick Danger]

Geez, next thing you know, they'll permit tampering with the smoke detectors in the lavatories.

[Jet Jaguar]

We can only hope!

[samtheman]

If you can't fly without "getting messages"... don't fly.

If you can't live without being constantly connected to the communications web that envelopes us like a womb, then I sincerely feel sorry for you.

[Calvin Locke]

...the computer that passes off calls will become confused ...

No, the real reason was that it tied up a port in multiple cells. Maybe *your* company the confusion problem.

That, and airlines could make money off the phones in the planes.

I'm guessing the cell companies have tweaked the software to handle "at altitude" planes without
the resource waste, and they hired Mrs. Daschle or the like to lobby the FAA...

[aardvark1]

This would drive me crazy. Already, I don't know weather to laugh or cry about the supposed need people have to talk on their cell phones up to the last instant when the announcement is made that phones must be turned off and later, turn them on the instant they're allowed.

I watch men in dark suits pace the waiting areas in airports with ear pieces in talking with only God knows who. How did we ever live before the cell phone?

I don't think I'm a Luddite when it comes to these, I appreciate the convenience and the importance, but at some point, we have to be able to put them down and talk to another human face to face or be polite enough to realize an entire plane load of people doesn't care about your personal or professional business.