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Air Travelers Want to Keep Cell Phones Grounded
Frazzled nerves from constant phone chatter, trouble hearing emergency announcements, increased "air rage"—all were identified by air travelers as good reasons for the government to continue to ban in-flight cell phone use, according to a poll sponsored by CWA and the National Consumers League.
AFA-CWA President and Susan Grant, the league's vice president for public policy, release the findings at a news conference at CWA headquarters.
Sixty-three percent of those polled wanted to keep cell phone restrictions in place.
The poll was conducted as the Federal Communications Commission moves ahead with a rule-making process aimed at lifting its ban on cell phones and other portable electronic devices in the air.
"Clearly, air travelers understand that cell phones in the close quarters of a commercial aircraft would not only compromise their comfort but their safety as well," Friend said.
Negative responses to cell phones in flight surged to about 80 percent when air travelers focused on questions dealing with air rage, emergency communications, possible terrorist coordination using phones, and pilot reports that current cell phone technology can interfere with aircraft navigational equipment, Friend added.
Valerie Walker, head of the safety, health and security committee for the AFA-CWA United Master Executive Council, related two incidents on her flight to Washington that demonstrate the need to keep the ban in place.
On a flight that left Chicago at 6:30 a.m., one passenger loudly planned his schedule, making contacts and annoying surrounding passengers, she said. Then, as the plane landed, more than a dozen high school students pulled out their cell phones and proceeded to call each other.
AFA-CWA President and Susan Grant, the league's vice president for public policy, release the findings at a news conference at CWA headquarters.
Sixty-three percent of those polled wanted to keep cell phone restrictions in place.
The poll was conducted as the Federal Communications Commission moves ahead with a rule-making process aimed at lifting its ban on cell phones and other portable electronic devices in the air.
"Clearly, air travelers understand that cell phones in the close quarters of a commercial aircraft would not only compromise their comfort but their safety as well," Friend said.
Negative responses to cell phones in flight surged to about 80 percent when air travelers focused on questions dealing with air rage, emergency communications, possible terrorist coordination using phones, and pilot reports that current cell phone technology can interfere with aircraft navigational equipment, Friend added.
Valerie Walker, head of the safety, health and security committee for the AFA-CWA United Master Executive Council, related two incidents on her flight to Washington that demonstrate the need to keep the ban in place.
On a flight that left Chicago at 6:30 a.m., one passenger loudly planned his schedule, making contacts and annoying surrounding passengers, she said. Then, as the plane landed, more than a dozen high school students pulled out their cell phones and proceeded to call each other.