Survey: Public divided on in-flight cell use

I don't care if they allow cell phone use on a plane, as long as I can slap anyone who annoys me..

You had better be talking about use on PRIVATE Planes because if some azz sits beside me and starts to dial then he/she/it will be chucked into the lap of the flight attendants. It will not happen on a flight anywhere where I can hear it. Period.

I guess I am a little behind the times. I do not have a cell phone. I am surprised I have a computer.

I do not think cell phones are a good thing when they interrupt the normal flow of another person's life.

I do think they are handy to have in the event of an emergency.

My husband and I were seated "across the room" from another middle-aged couple at an Italian restaurant a couple of weeks ago. This other couple was apparently on their cell phone -- again, across the room -- and seemed to be talking to one of their grown kids. For Pete's sakes, couldn't they have waited until they got home to talk to their "adult" kids? It was so disruptive! What little peace and quiet one could have on a flight without having people yapping on the phone would be greatly appreciated. People don't even realize how LOUD they are when they're on a cell phone --- it's so strange, but people tend to talk much louder on a cell phone than is necessary. I could hear the "entire" conversation. It's just unacceptable, and just plain "bad manners." I find these people to be incredibly rude and an "invasion of other people's space." I don't want to hear your movie review, or what drugs your taking, or what's for dinner, or that you've been constipated, or who you went out with last night ... oh, for goodness sakes! Keep that private and to yourself, puleeeeez! So, I say NO to cell phones as much as possible in public places. Use them only when absolutely necessary - besides they cause BRAIN tumors!!! LOL!!!

Whoa, whoa, whoa... what happened to "cell phone use interferes with our in-flight navigation systems" (thus implying the plane would be put at risk).

Did that BS line finally get exposed as the pure fantasy it is to get passengers to pay $5 a minute for those crappy in-flight phones? Seriously, does anyone think for a second that if, in fact, a person's cell phone put a plane even remotely at risk that security wouldn't confiscate the phones at security, or force everyone to pack them in their checked luggage or just ban them outright (thus revitalizing the pay phone industry from the dead at the same time)?

Anyone ever actually sit down and tally how much we get jerked around? From a do-nothing congress, a corrupt & broken tax system, burning our corn crop in our gas tanks (with the double benefit of pushing up the price of food as well), airlines that have their hand out like a bell hop at a 5 star hotel.

As a feared and misunderstood minority, schiphrenics should welcome
airlines' allowing people to talk openly with invisible people.

For years, those who talked with invisible people in public settings were
shunned and viewed with suspicion. Now, on airplanes as well as most
other public places, one can safely converse with "invisibles" without fear
of attracting undue attention. (One is even safer from attracting attention
if you hold a cigarette case -- or other rectangular object -- to your ear.)

If cell phones are allowed on flights, I will be forced to stop flying. I simply cannot block out background noise and would find flying impossible. Passengers are cramped together very closely; even if an individual spoke quietly, we would hear every word if he/she were in our row. Flying is stressful enough. Let's not make it worse!

NO!!!! People don't have enough common sense and etiquette on the ground, they sure as hell won't in the air. The airplane is the last place free of annoying ring tones, loud obnoxious talking, and generally rude behavior by cell phone users. NO CELL PHONES!!!!

There's definitely been times when I'm in flight and wish I could call and update people picking me up at the destination or something similar to that, BUT I also really enjoy being able to take a nap on those ungodly long flights. But on those long flights, I know people that are unable to nap or read will pass the time chatting it up on their cell and annoying those that want to nap or read. I even wish there were times where I could force the passengers sitting next to me to shut up so I could get some peace and quiet! I'd like to say we should continue with the ban, but I think that cell phones will eventually be allowed as time passes with more and more of those with cell phones attached to their heads get to make decisions.

Please. why are so many people in this day and age so terrified of having to sit and be quiet for a little while? People seem to always have to be doing something- whether it's pointlessly talking on their cell phones or browsing the internet endlessly on their laptops. Can't people just sit down and shut up for even a few hours out the day without distraction?? If they lift this cell phone ban I seriously will avoid the airlines. It is bad enough already with those annoying in flight movies that everybody is forced to watch. This is like a generation of malformed adolescents suffering from terminal ADD. They have to be occupied every second of the day. God forbid they have to spend a minute within their own thoughts. If the airlines truly care about passenger comfort they will not lift this very appropriate ban.

If I'm sitting next to someone which is being rudely loud on a cell phone I can at least use some diplomacy and nicely ask them to hang up, and ........ "might" ......... get some results.

It's those dam crying babies, that need to be thrown out of the plane at 30k feet, and while they'er at it throw the parents out also, for bringing a baby on a plane.

It's not my baby, shut the little bugger up !!!!! The only thing worse than being ......."trapped"...... on a plane with a crying baby, is a dog that barks constantly.

I find cell phone use ANYWHERE in public extremely annoying because, for whatever reason, people seem to talk louder - maybe it's the reception or they just can't hear - but (sorry for saying this) what has made it imperative that people need to reach out and touch someone 24/7??? Given that they feel they DO (I like calling my daughter a bunch), at least do it somewhere relatively private! I won't mind a short, quiet chat, but if a seatmate carries on loudly for longer than I can stand it, than I shall sing at the top of my lungs.
P.S. - Did Brian ever think those babies might be crying because of air pressure? Believe me, most parents do NOT want their kids howling because they KNOW what most other passengers are thinking. If that's the most important nuisance in your life, than you are MOST lucky.

Are you people out of your minds in 1995 I was a captain flying a 737. On approach (with the autopilot flying) into Norfolk VA at 100 feet in the air with visibility at less than 1/4 mile some jerk in the back activated his cellphone the aircraft abruptly rolled almost 25 degrees to the right and pitched rapidly upward. This was documented by the PAX onboard and reported to the FAA. This idiot almost killed 112 people hope your not on a flight when this foolishness gets started. Dinner is one thing being among the first to arrive at the scene of a major aircraft accident is another!

I have a cell phone and I use it for emergencies. I am against allowing their use on planes. People are
annoying enough now in restaurants and waiting rooms. They should not be allowed to drive and use a
cell phone either. It is a distraction and a definite safety hazard to themselves and everyone who passes them on the road.

How about having a separate seating section for those who want to make calls on their cell? Thick, padded walls between them (hopefully in the back of the plane) and those of us in front who want peace & quiet. Once those seats in the Cell Section are sold out, then the unlucky ones will have to keep their mouths shut, take a nap, or maybe even read quietly in regular coach. Think of it this way, too...airlines can charge extra for those seated in the Cell Section, "Soak the Cellers," let's call it. If nothing else, people in that Cell Section will drive each other nuts with all their mindless chatter while the rest of us enjoy the friendly skys and our little bag of $5.00 peanuts.

Cell phone conversations are annoying enough when you can walk away from them. Being trapped for hours in a plane with idiots yakking all around you would be excruciating. Hope this NEVER happens.

Flights should be where people get a piece of mind during the entire duration of the flight. Not only are the economy sections very loaded, being stucked with another stranger with the flu, or some other nasty virus but also crying babies, people trying to use valuable resting time to read with that bright light and inflight movies but to add Cel phone usage that's too much. Sit down, shut up and put your freaking seat belt on. Ohh and by the way turn off that damn reading light *** I'm trying to rest here I have two freaking connecting flights after this. Thank you.

I think cell phone use on a plane is okay as long as it is limited to before take off and once the plane lands. Other than that, I think the airlines will be setting themselves up for a lot of problems. Unless the flight attendants want to become referees between someone having a loud conversation with a friend via cell phone, and a lot of angry passengers, cell phone use should be limited.

Whoa, slow down. This is a technical safety issue. Transmission of RF energy on-board an aircraft may cause electromagnetic interference to the aircraft flight critical systems. Aircraft electronics were not qualified or FAA certified for cell phone use. This is why you are asked to turn off all portable electronic equipment during take-off and landing. That doesn't mean interference cannot occur during the other phases of flight. This is bound to increase the cost of flying in order to get aircraft qualified and certified to handle cell phone operation safely. You cannot see the electronics or wiring on an aircraft but it is everywhere. What is the convenience of cell phone use on an aircraft worth to you in dollars?

sincei dont fly anymore because of tsa i dont really care,, but? if i was to fly?and some jerk next tome answered his phone while iwas snoozing? i wonder if tossing him and his phone out of the plane is a crime,, justifiable tossing?

A cell phone used properly is a wonderful tool. I also believe that cell phone habits are a bit of a window into one's soul. People raised without the an appreciation for the importance of good manners and decorum in polite society will reflect this in the manner in which they conduct themselves in every human interaction in which they are engaged including public cell phone use. As a business traveler, I cherish the down time...a quiet time for sleep, reading, catching up on work, etc. This captive environment does not allow a reasonable escape from a potential constant discordant nightmare of obnoxious ring tones and loud forced participation into other's personal lives. I am convinced some of these interactions will lead to frequent on-board incidents, including violence, distracting the flight crew from their already difficult mission. I vigorously oppose in flight cell phone use and defy anyone to explain to me why they can't be disconnected for several hours.

I love my cell phone. However, I always seek a place where I am alone before using it. Why, because no one really cares to hear about things I think are important. My life is not part of their life. I demand and expect the same respect from others. If not, there is going to be a confrontation. Besides, who are the ones who think they are so important that the world will miss them if people don't hear their voice for a few hours.
Please don't lift the ban on cell phones while planes are in flight. No one has a right to interfere with the rights of others.

in a plane, no I would not put up with that noise, bad enough in the grocery store,self important idiots with a phone on a plane, no, no, that would be justifiable homicide, I have a cell phone, and when in public , I let it go to voice mail, anything else would be rude even in a check out line, so rude to ignore the person you are near or dealing with, this is a no brainier, no cell phone use on a plane, ever

Fortunately, all the hand-wringing expressed by those (the majority) above regarding the narcissistic and asocial personalities (the minority) who would/might use cellphones during flight...all of this bouillabaisse...is a moot point.

Cell phone BLOCKERS - pocket-sized devices that block ALL cellphone communications within a given radius, made "illegal" by our nanny gummint concerned only about the "rights of the minority" - are readily available online for purchase and, should it actually come to it, "illegal"use

Sadly, we cannot legislate civility or empathy...but fortunately we do not have to worry about cellphone use during flights.