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FCC Grounds Cell Phone Calls in Cabins

The decision made by chairman Ajit Pai guarantees both passengers and crew peace and quiet in the skies.

Back in 2013, it seemed that the arrival of cell phones in the cabin was all but imminent. Tom Wheeler, then chairman of America’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC), had proposed relaxing the regulations that restricted the use of these devices on planes. But Ajit Pai, Wheeler’s successor, has said that he has no plans to overhaul or even review this legislation.

“I stand with airline pilots, flight attendants, and America’s flying public against the FCC’s ill-conceived 2013 plan to allow people to make cellphone calls on planes. I do not believe that moving forward with this plan is in the public interest. Taking it off the table permanently will be a victory for Americans across the country who, like me, value a moment of quiet at 30,000 feet,” Pai said in a statement.

The Register reports that, back in 2013, Wheeler felt that the time was right to review the “outdated and restrictive rules” governing cell phone usage in the cabin. Much of this legislation, says the outlet, was enacted in the early 1990s over concerns that cell technology would wreak havoc on planes’ electrical systems. Post-9/11 security fears saw these regulations remain firmly in place.

While Pai’s stance is controversial, the Association of Flight Attendants issued a statement in support of his views. “Passengers overwhelmingly reject cell phone use in the aircraft cabin. The FCC should not proceed with this proposal […] 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. Any situation that is loud, divisive, and possibly disruptive is not only unwelcome but also unsafe.”

“In far too many operational scenarios, passengers making phone calls could extend beyond a mere nuisance, creating negative effects on aviation safety and security that are great and far too risky. Besides potential passenger conflicts, flight attendants also are concerned that in emergencies, cell phone use would drown out announcements and distract from life-saving instructions from the crew,” the union added.

[Photo: Shutterstock[

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14 Comments
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hawk1tdh April 17, 2017

ABSOLUTELY agree!! NO CELL PHONE USE! These people literally yell on calls. Not to mention most do not work at 15 plus thousand feet traveling at 5 to 600 miles per hour!!

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Open Jaw April 13, 2017

Great! Now we need to ban all cellphone calls on trains as well. I am so tired of overhearing loud calls while on the way to the airport.

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Yggdrasil April 13, 2017

Great!!! Great!!! Great!!! Just imagine to be able to avoid having to listen to all that senseless cell phone talk while in flight! This man should be nominated for the next UN PEACE Price!

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2stepbay April 13, 2017

Should also include any speaking on cell other than emergency when in the cabin, including prior to or after landing. Tired hearing a sales rep talk about their products.

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Ca77andra April 13, 2017

"to make cellphone calls on planes." The article states very clearly it's about talking on the phone. Also, the video is an app not the basic function of a PHONE. Do they still teach reading comprehension in schools?