Travel Technology - Portable Cell Phone Signal Blockers

Hello My Fellow FTer's -

I hope this finds all the readers of my posting well.

I'm in a jam, excuse the pun, and I was wondering your thoughts. I was given as a gift from my British Colleague a hand held Signal Blocker. It is the size of a cell phone with four little antennas coming out. What it does, remarkably, is cut off four different (the majority) of cell phone signals within FORTY FEET.

What are people's thoughts about this? I am going to preface this by saying I tossed it in the garbage at Heathrow before going through security - besides using something like this is an awful thing to do, but I guess others might disagree. It's also available online here in the States.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

UG

I would have some words to say if I ever found someone using these around me. It is not your business to decide who can use their phone.

How long before one of these devices blocks a call to the emergency services and precious time is lost?

People who use them are self-important scum. End of story.

What WOULD be wonderful though… a device that jams the inbuilt MP3 players / speakerphones on mobile phones. It's endemic here in London - every buss, tube or train has at least one brat blaring out tinny, heavily compressed and poorly made R&B...

People who use them are self-important scum. End of story.

No, here is the "self-important scum".

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=759074&highlight=cell+phone

This device is already being discussed there. I, for one, would love to have one of these for just such an incident.

Be aware that, as far as I know, using such blockers is illegal in the USA. The FCC does actually investigate reports of blocker use (although mostly referring to fixed locations).

Be aware that, as far as I know, using such blockers is illegal in the USA. The FCC does actually investigate reports of blocker use (although mostly referring to fixed locations).

It is illegal to sell, purchase or use jammers here in the United States ($10K fine) but you can still get them from Asian web sites. They can be sold in the UK but it is illegal for civilians to own or use them.

No, here is the "self-important scum".

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=759074&highlight=cell+phone

This device is already being discussed there. I, for one, would love to have one of these for just such an incident.

Two two can both be self-important scum!

Why not tackle the behaviour of the offender, rather than inconveniencing everybody else?

You turn on your jammer, just as the woman in the flat upstairs hears an intruder and wants to call the police quietly without running for the landline...

(Yes, it's an extreme example, but not one worth risking, don't you think?)

What WOULD be wonderful though… a device that jams the inbuilt MP3 players / speakerphones on mobile phones. It's endemic here in London - every buss, tube or train has at least one brat blaring out tinny, heavily compressed and poorly made R&B...

Not quite every single one (and it tends to be what I call 'chipmunk techno' round here too). Obviously, there's no way of blocking them, but it's the same as every other form of anti-social behaviour: it won't stop unless someone shows it's unacceptable. And it is indeed illegal to play music out loud on railways and buses in the UK, but if everybody just sits there fuming, nothing is going to change...

The comments above are very interesting. Very likely, though, these jammers will soon be available for a few dollars over the net and will be commonly used, legal or not.

I suspect that librarians may be early adopters.

Like most members of FT, I'm on the road most of the time and I live via my Crackberry. If I ever caught some holier than thou "vigilante" blocking my signal, said person would experience first hand how well the signal jammer blocks up their duodenum after I was done with them.

As I posted in the other thread it might be easy to order these devices from anywhere in the world, but that doesnt mean their usage is legal !

At least in europe it is illegal to use/install them. As stated above this is also the case in the US.

I dont think anyone has the right to decide about others when and where to use their cellphones ! If it disturbs you in a restaurant or whereever just approach the person and ask him to be a bit more decent.

Please continue to follow this thread in the Travel Technology Forum.
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Why not tackle the behaviour of the offender, rather than inconveniencing everybody else?
Well if the offender can feel comfortable inconveniencing everybody else - and no one is willing to take group action, then all bets are off.



I dont think anyone has the right to decide about others when and where to use their cellphones ! If it disturbs you in a restaurant or whereever just approach the person and ask him to be a bit more decent.
No one should have to be forced to make a fuss - or appear to do so, just to enforce social codes that should have be learned at age 5. Nor should anyone be put at risk of physical harm by the many yobs that WILL knife or hit you in a public place.

The very fact that any of this needs to be discussed - or that this device is commercially viable - tell the enire story about about lack of couth in today7s society.

Until folks get this, I suspect this device will do well - even better when the stupid, greedy airlines greenlight mass use of cell phones in their sardnine can packed cabins.

[QUOTE=osamede;8858122]Well if the offender can feel comfortable inconveniencing everybody else - and no one is willing to take group action, then all bets are off.



QUOTE]

How can you take action if you cant figure out who's using it. Then when you figure it out, you want to call the cops to get him his 10k fine but... your phone doesn't work!

Like most members of FT, I'm on the road most of the time and I live via my Crackberry. If I ever caught some holier than thou "vigilante" blocking my signal, said person would experience first hand how well the signal jammer blocks up their duodenum after I was done with them.

And I bet you are one of these people in airports who we have to listen to 100 feet away telling your friend you are in the lounge waiting to board your premium class seat ( bought with miles as you would never pay for it yourself ) and then go on to say how busy you are with meetings that start from 6am through until 10 pm blah blah blah

People who use mobiles phones in public places tend to forget that you are 1 in a hundred and 99 other people dont give a hoot about your travel schedule or in fact anything else they are forced to listen to and for those of you with those bloody annoying crackberrys that persistantly vibrate or chime it wont be too long before I or others starts putting them where the sun dont shine, these damm things are a symbol of how important you think you are !!! not who you are - but they do help people like me identify the muppets and where not to sit

:td:

and by the way I do have a mobile phone jammer and once used you will realise what peace and quiet used to be like

Interesting gift, since they sell for around $300

A legal use can be made by Security Services who 'may' use these if they want to force you to use a landline to make your call which they can then bug. This is a bit low tech however as now they 'can' set up a pico cell in the location of the target so that their cell/mobile phone 'locks on to' & uses that one as opposed to the real one, and they can log the calls.

I'm not suggesting that these methods are used but only that they could be. ;)

A legal use can be made by Security Services who 'may' use these if they want to force you to use a landline to make your call which they can then bug.
Are you claiming this is true throughout the world, or only in certain countries?
I don't think it is true in the US.

Hello My Fellow FTer's -

I hope this finds all the readers of my posting well.

I'm in a jam, excuse the pun, and I was wondering your thoughts. I was given as a gift from my British Colleague a hand held Signal Blocker. It is the size of a cell phone with four little antennas coming out. What it does, remarkably, is cut off four different (the majority) of cell phone signals within FORTY FEET.

What are people's thoughts about this? I am going to preface this by saying I tossed it in the garbage at Heathrow before going through security - besides using something like this is an awful thing to do, but I guess others might disagree. It's also available online here in the States.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

UGIf I find out you're using it around me, I'll call a cop and do my level best to get you arrested. If I can't find a cop, I'll go out of my way to find out who you are and report you to the FCC.

Don't like me using my cellphone? Go somewhere else.

Hello My Fellow FTer's -

I hope this finds all the readers of my posting well.

I'm in a jam, excuse the pun, and I was wondering your thoughts. I was given as a gift from my British Colleague a hand held Signal Blocker. It is the size of a cell phone with four little antennas coming out. What it does, remarkably, is cut off four different (the majority) of cell phone signals within FORTY FEET.

What are people's thoughts about this? I am going to preface this by saying I tossed it in the garbage at Heathrow before going through security - besides using something like this is an awful thing to do, but I guess others might disagree. It's also available online here in the States.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

UG

These are illegal in the US. (Buy, sell or use) FCC is actively going after users of these devises. Seems that movie theaters and restaurants are the biggest targets of the FCC, but they are also going after casual users.

I know that there are times that we would all love to have one....but watch out.:eek:

A legal use can be made by Security Services who 'may' use these if they want to force you to use a landline to make your call which they can then bug. This is a bit low tech however as now they 'can' set up a pico cell in the location of the target so that their cell/mobile phone 'locks on to' & uses that one as opposed to the real one, and they can log the calls.

I'm not suggesting that these methods are used but only that they could be. ;)

I thought that the Black Helicopter folks were only in the TS&S Forum??

Just because you are paranoid, it doesn't mean they are not out to get you;)

Don't like me using my cellphone? Go somewhere else.

:( Not so easy if we're both on a plane, or similar public transport ? :(

Well if the offender can feel comfortable inconveniencing everybody else - and no one is willing to take group action, then all bets are off.

No one should have to be forced to make a fuss - or appear to do so, just to enforce social codes that should have be learned at age 5. Nor should anyone be put at risk of physical harm by the many yobs that WILL knife or hit you in a public place.

The very fact that any of this needs to be discussed - or that this device is commercially viable - tell the enire story about about lack of couth in today7s society.

Until folks get this, I suspect this device will do well - even better when the stupid, greedy airlines greenlight mass use of cell phones in their sardnine can packed cabins.

Point well made osamede! ^^^

Unfortunately however, nowadays many people just don't care about social skills and norms - they will do what they want, irrespective of how much it impinges on the comfort / quality of life of others - law of the caveman basically .... And if you query it, you are basically told to f*** off somehwere else ...

If people have to be asked to "keep it down", then it is likely that they know what they are doing, and don't care in the first place.

And their argument is often "that it's a free country, so I can do what I want, where I want..." which is not the point at all .... :(

But anyway, back on-topic .... Let's see how the market for these things develops .... I can imagine that cinemas and up-market restaurants may be good customers ...

>The very fact that any of this needs to be
>discussed - or that this device is commercially
>viable - tell the enire story about about lack of
>couth in today7s society.

While I agree, I also think the handset manufacturers could improve things if they could figure out some way to provide side-tone in a cell phone handset. Part of the reason people speak loudly into cell phones is, unlike a landline, they don't have any sidetone:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidetone

When I use my cell phone in public (i.e. on the bus) I intentionally speak in a quieter voice, as I'm aware of the absence of sidetone. However, most people aren't, and just shout away.

QUOTE=PTravel ] " If I can't find a cop, I'll go out of my way to find out who you are and report you to the FCC. "

FCC takes too long ~
Most effective ~ call the Fire Department: most are empowered to INSTANTLY yank a buildings' occupancy permit when they discover their radios (also affected by jammers) can't communicate. They're also real big on filing charges of 'endangering public safety', and making it stick.

/.

>The very fact that any of this needs to be
>discussed - or that this device is commercially
>viable - tell the enire story about about lack of
>couth in today7s society.

While I agree, I also think the handset manufacturers could improve things if they could figure out some way to provide side-tone in a cell phone handset. Part of the reason people speak loudly into cell phones is, unlike a landline, they don't have any sidetone:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidetone

When I use my cell phone in public (i.e. on the bus) I intentionally speak in a quieter voice, as I'm aware of the absence of sidetone. However, most people aren't, and just shout away.


Absolutely untrue. Many cellphones provide sidetone and some provide TOO much. It varies, and most that provide it don't provide enough . Most Motorolas have quite good sidetone and with a hack it can be increased.

Back on topic: cellphone blockers IMO are a lot like the knee defender. They may increase personal comfort but are horrendously selfish devices.

:( Not so easy if we're both on a plane, or similar public transport ? :(Okay, I'll make a deal with you: you can prevent me from using my cell phone on a plane (pre-flight, ofcourse -- I'm absolutely opposed to any kind of in-flight usage, even if it is permitted) or public transport if you agree that you won't bring your crying baby or screaming infant into the same venue.

Okay, I'll make a deal with you: you can prevent me from using my cell phone on a plane (pre-flight, ofcourse -- I'm absolutely opposed to any kind of in-flight usage, even if it is permitted) or public transport if you agree that you won't bring your crying baby or screaming infant into the same venue.

I'm glad you're still being you.

I was thinking of you when I was on an RJ DTW-ABE last month and a child wouldn't stop screaming for at least 10 minutes on the steep descent.

I'd take that child any day over a cell phone screamer. At least the child is human.

I would be interested to hear some input on these from some that are expert in the technology of the devices. It has been suggested to me that they can also jam things other than cellphones, such as cardiac pacemakers. But I dont know if that is accurate.

I'm glad you're still being you.And I'm glad you're still missing the point.

I was thinking of you when I was on an RJ DTW-ABE last month and a child wouldn't stop screaming for at least 10 minutes on the steep descent.I've never complained about children screaming during ascent or descent. However, this is off-topic to this thread -- I'm sure a moderator will shut it down. Oh, wait. . .

I'd take that child any day over a cell phone screamer. At least the child is human.Whereas I don't want to be around either. Where has anyone, least of all me, defended cellphone screamers?

How long before one of these devices blocks a call to the emergency services and precious time is lost?

People who use them are self-important scum. End of story.

Don't tell me you have never had to suffer through some self-important windbag's conversation thus ruining your dining pleasure. I think if there was an emergency there are still land lines to call for help. Since some people do not have enough sense to know when using a cell phone is inappropriate, maybe they should have it incapacitated. Would their mother's allowed them on the phone at the dinner table!

Interesting gift, since they sell for around $300

It would be worth every penny too. I think most who would think they are great re thinking of their use in eating establishments, theatres, concerts, lectures, movies & etc. I don't thinj I have ever seen someone receive a call on their cell and excused themself to go take the call outside or in a foyer. I think this is the self-important scum that comes to mind.

It would be worth every penny too. I think most who would think they are great re thinking of their use in eating establishments, theatres, concerts, lectures, movies & etc. I don't thinj I have ever seen someone receive a call on their cell and excused themself to go take the call outside or in a foyer. I think this is the self-important scum that comes to mind.

You have NEVER seen someone take a call outside? You would seem to be in with a bad crowd. While I certainly have seen people being bad about calls it seems to me to be the exception.

You have NEVER seen someone take a call outside? You would seem to be in with a bad crowd. While I certainly have seen people being bad about calls it seems to me to be the exception.

Actually I have had customers leave my store to take a call but that may have been as much for privacy as anything else. I think the scenerio in a restaurant is the most familiar to all of us. The person who slips out unnoticed has done so out of consideration and manners and maybe privacy too. I travel the world alone and have not found the first thing I have missed because I wasn't plugged into a cell phone.

Okay, I'll make a deal with you: you can prevent me from using my cell phone on a plane (pre-flight, ofcourse -- I'm absolutely opposed to any kind of in-flight usage, even if it is permitted) or public transport if you agree that you won't bring your crying baby or screaming infant into the same venue.

Your comment was the first mention of children. Off-topic, indeed.

It would be worth every penny too. I think most who would think they are great re thinking of their use in eating establishments, theatres, concerts, lectures, movies & etc. I don't thinj I have ever seen someone receive a call on their cell and excused themself to go take the call outside or in a foyer. I think this is the self-important scum that comes to mind.

About the only time I ever see chronic phone abuse is on planes. In restaurants, etc it's rarely a problem.

About the only time I ever see chronic phone abuse is on planes. In restaurants, etc it's rarely a problem.

My biggest problem are the phone screamers in the airline clubs. Some people aren't satisfied unless they are on the phone every possible minute and then the talk so loud that you can't think yourself.

The real problem here is that nobody seems to be learning and employing etiquette these days. Instead, everyone is taught that they're "special," and fewer people have normal social relations, turnining instead to the Internet as a surrogate.

Cell phone jammers don't solve the underlying problem, which will only get worse if people don't learn to act civilized in society.

Your comment was the first mention of children. Off-topic, indeed.As I said, you've missed the point which really has nothing to do with children.

If you've never seen one of these, they are very small and easily hidden. For those of you angry enough to look for someone with one, you can forget it. You'd be punching out everyone who looks like he/she has a cell phone or cigarette pack in their pocket! And they're completely silent.

If you've never seen one of these, they are very small and easily hidden. For those of you angry enough to look for someone with one, you can forget it. You'd be punching out everyone who looks like he/she has a cell phone or cigarette pack in their pocket! And they're completely silent.

While I agree many people are very rude in how they employ various electronic devices...no one has any more right to 'jam' them. The 'talker' might be learning of a death in the family or saying goodbye to their kids while off to war...you have no idea what the real topic is.

This is right up there with people that put the little plastic piece in the seat to prevent reclining.

As 'right' as people like this may think they are...in reality they are just as bad or worse than the 'offender' although they would never admit it.

I hate people like this.

It would be worth every penny too. I think most who would think they are great re thinking of their use in eating establishments, theatres, concerts, lectures, movies & etc. I don't thinj I have ever seen someone receive a call on their cell and excused themself to go take the call outside or in a foyer. I think this is the self-important scum that comes to mind.

I excuse myself all the time for phone calls...who are you to block my calls because someone else nearby is talking too loud? In addition I have the phone on vibrate usually so the ringer isn't even noticeable to people. You can't select only the annoying people. Would you feel bad at all if I missed a call notifying me that my wife was in labor or my father died? Just because you have never 'missed' anything while traveling the world without a phone doesn't mean others will have the same situation.

Those of you who advocate such a device can't see how ironic and hypocritical it is calling others 'self-important'...

I also think poetic justice would be for one of these 'jammers' to miss a life changing call because they took it upon themselves to do the exact same thing as those they complain about...and that is to ignore everyone around them and force something upon others for their own comfort.

I excuse myself all the time for phone calls...who are you to block my calls because someone else nearby is talking too loud? In addition I have the phone on vibrate usually so the ringer isn't even noticeable to people. You can't select only the annoying people. Would you feel bad at all if I missed a call notifying me that my wife was in labor or my father died? Just because you have never 'missed' anything while traveling the world without a phone doesn't mean others will have the same situation.

Those of you who advocate such a device can't see how ironic and hypocritical it is calling others 'self-important'...

I also think poetic justice would be for one of these 'jammers' to miss a life changing call because they took it upon themselves to do the exact same thing as those they complain about...and that is to ignore everyone around them and force something upon others for their own comfort.

I couldn't have said it better myself

they sell around $300 in UK or Asia?

The anti-jamming crowd would have my sympathy, except that cellphones drop connections by themselves all the time.

It isn't as if cellphones are a reliable means of communication to begin with. @:-) :)

The anti-jamming crowd would have my sympathy, except that cellphones drop connections by themselves all the time.

It isn't as if cellphones are a reliable means of communication to begin with. @:-) :)You need a better cellphone and/or carrier.

You need a better cellphone and/or carrier.

Perhaps. I deal with people on cellphones a lot and, in the San Francisco Bay Area at least, my reception with AT&T is far from what I expect to get on a landline. When I am on my office landline talking with customers on cellular it is not unusual for the cellular user to fuzz out or drop.

This probably needs a thread of its own, but I simply don't believe that any cellular user out there has the rock-solid connectivity of a land-line. It's just a radio after all.

Land-line providers don't need to supply "coverage maps" ;)

I can only speak for the US of course.

Perhaps. I deal with people on cellphones a lot and, in the San Francisco Bay Area at least, my reception with AT&T is far from what I expect to get on a landline. When I am on my office landline talking with customers on cellular it is not unusual for the cellular user to fuzz out or drop.

This probably needs a thread of its own, but I simply don't believe that any cellular user out there has the rock-solid connectivity of a land-line. It's just a radio after all.

Land-line providers don't need to supply "coverage maps" ;)

I can only speak for the US of course.Try Verizon with a Motorola phone. I can't recall having a dropped call in years (unless I was speaking to someone who used AT&T ;) ).

While I agree many people are very rude in how they employ various electronic devices...no one has any more right to 'jam' them. The 'talker' might be learning of a death in the family or saying goodbye to their kids while off to war...you have no idea what the real topic is.

This is right up there with people that put the little plastic piece in the seat to prevent reclining.

As 'right' as people like this may think they are...in reality they are just as bad or worse than the 'offender' although they would never admit it.

I hate people like this.

Unfortunately, I have heard more conversations than I care to think about and the greater portion of them are not as you suggested. It seems that people just do not know how to be alone with themselves. I've seen people dial one number after another until they found someone to chat with.

Okay, I'll make a deal with you: you can prevent me from using my cell phone on a plane (pre-flight, ofcourse -- I'm absolutely opposed to any kind of in-flight usage, even if it is permitted) or public transport if you agree that you won't bring your crying baby or screaming infant into the same venue.

My point was meant for in-flight use .....

And I concur with the later poster on babies / children - at least they are human....

BTW, these devices can be picked up for €50 from a China-based supplier on ebay - I just looked ... ;)

To be honest, my take on this discussion is that it is lass about cellphones specifically, and more about a lack of courtesy and manners in much of everyday life.
Many people feel no sense of respect / consideration for other people at all - it's all ME, ME, ME ..... And they don't care how much their actions inconvenience many others, as long as they can do what they want .... And if challenged, will typically become aggressive and use the "free country" justification .... :(

Anyway .... On we go :)

My point was meant for in-flight use .....So was mine. Cellphone users are human, too. Two kinds of humans, each creating far more noise than is appropriate.

So was mine. Cellphone users are human, too. Two kinds of humans, each creating far more noise than is appropriate.

Ah yes PTravel, but the point here is that cellphone "screamers" should know better than to cause unnecessary disturbance to fellow humans, whereas babies cannot possibly be judged in the same way.

[We are not referring here to people who are "normal" 7 considerate users .... just those that don't care about the comfort of others ]

Ah yes PTravel, but the point here is that cellphone "screamers" should know better than to cause unnecessary disturbance to fellow humans, whereas babies cannot possibly be judged in the same way.Parents of screaming babies should know better, too.

[We are not referring here to people who are "normal" 7 considerate users .... just those that don't care about the comfort of others ]Exactly -- cell phone screamers, parents of screamers, it's all the same thing.

Parents of screaming babies should know better, too.

Exactly -- cell phone screamers, parents of screamers, it's all the same thing.

With all due respect, they are not quite the same.

Cellphone screamers = in total control of their own actions & choose to do 'it'

Parents of babies don't always have the ability to stop their crying directly / immediately for a variety of reasons.....

It is all about the ability to control.... Willingness is another matter entirely.

While I agree many people are very rude in how they employ various electronic devices...no one has any more right to 'jam' them. The 'talker' might be learning of a death in the family or saying goodbye to their kids while off to war...you have no idea what the real topic is.

This is right up there with people that put the little plastic piece in the seat to prevent reclining.

As 'right' as people like this may think they are...in reality they are just as bad or worse than the 'offender' although they would never admit it.

I hate people like this.

Everyone seemed to manage somehow - before the invention of the mobile phone - to hear news of a death in the family etc.

However, it is becoming more and more a moot point - In my experience, a number of conference and meeting venues, and theatres (in the English sense, I don't know of any cinemas yet) are routinely using mobile phone signal jammers.

Yes, it's sad that you have to enforce courtesy, but that seems to be the price we have to pay for social "progress".

With all due respect, they are not quite the same.

Cellphone screamers = in total control of their own actions & choose to do 'it'

Parents of babies don't always have the ability to stop their crying directly / immediately for a variety of reasons.....

It is all about the ability to control.... Willingness is another matter entirely.I don't really want to turn this into a thread about babies on planes. However, both cellphone users and parents are the ones who have chosen to bring the cause of the noise on-board.

Everyone seemed to manage somehow - before the invention of the mobile phone - to hear news of a death in the family etc.And businesses managed with carbon paper before copy machines, quill and ink before typewriters, and kerosene lamps before fluorescent lighting. Then, as now, business was conducted at the speed permitted by the available technology. Modern devices allow greater productivity, more can be accomplished, so more is required.

However, it is becoming more and more a moot point - In my experience, a number of conference and meeting venues, and theatres (in the English sense, I don't know of any cinemas yet) are routinely using mobile phone signal jammers.I wouldn't mind the use of jammers in these contexts provided that (1) the fact that they are in use is clearly communicated to anyone attending, and (2) their range is restricted so that they only effect the specific venue. This is, however, a moot point in the U.S. as the use of jammers is completely illegal.

Yes, it's sad that you have to enforce courtesy, but that seems to be the price we have to pay for social "progress".If courtesy is enforced, either by regulation or technology, it ceases to be courtesy.

I don't really want to turn this into a thread about babies on planes. However, both cellphone users and parents are the ones who have chosen to bring the cause of the noise on-board.

And businesses managed with carbon paper before copy machines, quill and ink before typewriters, and kerosene lamps before fluorescent lighting. Then, as now, business was conducted at the speed permitted by the available technology. Modern devices allow greater productivity, more can be accomplished, so more is required.

I wouldn't mind the use of jammers in these contexts provided that (1) the fact that they are in use is clearly communicated to anyone attending, and (2) their range is restricted so that they only effect the specific venue. This is, however, a moot point in the U.S. as the use of jammers is completely illegal.

If courtesy is enforced, either by regulation or technology, it ceases to be courtesy.

PTravel,

I'll make this my last post on this thread.

Are you suggesting that a cellphone (with an off button) is the same as a baby / child (without one) ?! You will always have a choice whether to use or not to use a phone. Not always the case with a baby ....

moocherx makes very valid and concise points as to why a phone jammer might need to be used. We should all recognise that we can't reasonably expect to be able to use our phones "where we ruddy well like" and any time we like. In various situations, that's what's called common courtesy. [unfortunately not so common any more]

Modern devices allow greater productivity, more can be accomplished, so more is required.

So does this mean that we lose all sense of social ettiquette / consideration for others?

If courtesy is enforced, either by regulation or technology, it ceases to be courtesy.

And unfortunately if courtesy is not enforced nowadays, then many people feel that they have the licence to do what they want, when they want, even to the detriment of many others (as in prolonged loud phone conversations in a theatre or restaurant) ....

But then it may be more of a culture thing .... US or UK/EU .... Then that's for another thread .... Wooops :D

how about getting behind her and 'accidentally'
give her a 'little' 'love' ZAP on low power from a Taser.... :D

PTravel,

I'll make this my last post on this thread.

Are you suggesting that a cellphone (with an off button) is the same as a baby / child (without one) ?! You will always have a choice whether to use or not to use a phone. Not always the case with a baby ....Cellphone users determine where they bring their cellphones and under what circumstance and, if courteous, will consider the effect their use of the cellphone has on others around them. Parents determine where they bring their children and under what circumstances and, if courteous, will consider the effect the presence of their children has on others around them. My only point in originally raising the subject of babies is, in threads where people object to crying babies, a frequent response is, "planes are public transportation -- if you don't like it, charter your own." Though I don't agree with this position, it seems equally applicable (or inapplicable) here.

moocherx makes very valid and concise points as to why a phone jammer might need to be used. We should all recognise that we can't reasonably expect to be able to use our phones "where we ruddy well like" and any time we like. In various situations, that's what's called common courtesy. [unfortunately not so common any more]I don't disagree, though some here seem to object to mere fact of cellphone use, rather than specific annoying and discourteous conduct, e.g. talking loudly on a cellphone. As I noted in another post, were it legal in the U.S. and technically feasible, institutional use of a jammer could make sense. I can't think of any circumstance in which an individual would be justified, either legally or morally, in using a jammer in public.

So does this mean that we lose all sense of social ettiquette / consideration for others?No, though it may mean that certain parameters of social etiquette change with technology. However, unless you're a Luddite, the argument that we got along fine without cellphones so they're unnecessary to use in public now simply doesn't make sense.

And unfortunately if courtesy is not enforced nowadays, then many people feel that they have the licence to do what they want, when they want, even to the detriment of many others (as in prolonged loud phone conversations in a theatre or restaurant) ....I agree, but the question becomes, "how does one enforce courtesy"? I'm fine FAs saying, "put away your cellphone," or movie theater managers ejecting cellphone users. I know of a judge that keeps a bucket of water in his courtroom -- if a lawyer's cellphone rings, the judge has the bailiff seize it and drop it in the bucket. I'm even fine with that. I'm not fine when someone decides to be a self-appointed cop and enforce their own personal standard of courtesy.

But then it may be more of a culture thing .... US or UK/EU .... Then that's for another thread .... Wooops :DIs there anyone who, at this point, seriously questions the degeneration of courtesy and consideration in the U.S.? :)

I'm not fine when someone decides to be a self-appointed cop and enforce their own personal standard of courtesy.

I'm not fine when someone decides to be a self-appointed loudhailer. But that aside...

If airlines announce "switch off cellphones" yet don't enforce this, I feel fully justified in eliminating the nuisance (and have done so on many a Middle Eastern flight). It's not being a self-appointed cop - it's enforcing airline rules. If the announcements said "feel free to use your cellphones whenever you like during the flight" I'd have no objection (only with regard to rule-following).

In the outside deregulated world however, I feel these days it's becoming "every man for himself".

Is there anyone who, at this point, seriously questions the degeneration of courtesy and consideration in the U.S.? :)

Not in the slightest. Degeneration implies a starting point.
America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between.

I'm joking of course ;););). I happen to like the quote, but feel that in years to come we'll simply need to replace "America is the only country that" with "The World".

I'm not fine when someone decides to be a self-appointed loudhailer. But that aside...At what point is a cellphone conversation "too loud"? For some people, the line seems to be, "If I can see you using your cellphone, it's too loud."

If airlines announce "switch off cellphones" yet don't enforce this, I feel fully justified in eliminating the nuisance (and have done so on many a Middle Eastern flight). It's not being a self-appointed cop - it's enforcing airline rules. If the announcements said "feel free to use your cellphones whenever you like during the flight" I'd have no objection (only with regard to rule-following).Ummm . . . you understand that the [stated] reason the airlines want cellphones switched off is because radio transmitting devices have the potential to interfere with the operation of the aircraft? So, in order to enforce the rule against no devices that make radio transmissions, you're using a device that makes a radio transmission?

The question of electromagnetic interference has been dealt with exhaustively (as well as exhaustingly) on this forum.

Please add any comments about the likelihood of your Blackberry causing a plane to crash to those other threads.

I'd buy a "jammer" that disables that annoying bleep on Nextels any day. It's bad enough I have to hear both sides of the conversation, but that bleep is the electronic version of giving everyone around you "the finger." It CAN be turned off, but apparently 99.9 percent of the Nextel owning population can't figure out how.

The question of electromagnetic interference has been dealt with exhaustively (as well as exhaustingly) on this forum.

Please add any comments about the likelihood of your Blackberry causing a plane to crash to those other threads.You missed the point, which was: a self-appointed policeman has decided to enforce the rules by breaking the rules.

You missed the point...The original topic was drifting in the direction of RFI, and I hoped to head it off.

I think you missed the the point. So there.

What WOULD be wonderful though… a device that jams the inbuilt MP3 players / speakerphones on mobile phones. It's endemic here in London - every buss, tube or train has at least one brat blaring out tinny, heavily compressed and poorly made R&B...

These are illegal in the US. (Buy, sell or use) FCC is actively going after users of these devises. Seems that movie theaters and restaurants are the biggest targets of the FCC, but they are also going after casual users.

I know that there are times that we would all love to have one....but watch out.:eek:

The real problem here is that nobody seems to be learning and employing etiquette these days. Instead, everyone is taught that they're "special," and fewer people have normal social relations, turnining instead to the Internet as a surrogate.

Cell phone jammers don't solve the underlying problem, which will only get worse if people don't learn to act civilized in society.


how about getting behind her and 'accidentally'
give her a 'little' 'love' ZAP on low power from a Taser.... :D


ALL y'all are missing the point, though krakjax was heading in the right directions. THIS is why God made handguns. ;) and good night!