Steve_James

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7050576.stm

Oh NO! Perish the thought

caroline_edinburgh

Oh no indeed !!!

Is it too much to hope that they might have mobile/mobile-free sections, like the old smoking/no-smoking divide, do you think ?

jody

"If we were to introduce this service in the future we want to ensure we do it in a socially acceptable way "


There is NO socially acceptable way!

Margo_Chester

Jody's post says it all. I can't imagine being held captive to the highly intelligent and important calls that go something like: "Hi, I'm on the plane, yeah, we took off. What are you doing?" This of course will be followed by a recount of the callers past 8 hours of activity (that no one cares about) with personal details revealed (that no one cares about) all in a big loud voice.

Unless you are directing brain surgery from your seat in coach, there really is no need to be yakking on the phone. And before someone jumps in with "agency at home" or "business" excuse well, you aren't going to be able to do ANYTHING about that "emergency" from the air, they will not turn the plane around because someone at home can't cope without you for a few hours.

I really hope that this doesn't go into effect, because we know that 98% of those who choose to use their phones will be obnoxious.

Dukey

I wish I <b>thought</b> people would boycott airlines which allowed it but this will be just another revenue-generation opportunity for the airlines.

How?

Simple. they will either charge people a fee to sit in the &quot;cell/mobile phone seats&quot; or charge the rest of us to sit in the &quot;non cell/mobile phone seats.'

I suspect it will be the former.

And, like charging for meals, or checking baggage, or for certain types of seats (window or aisle) as soon as <b> one airline successfully does it</b> the rest will immediately follow.

logos999

Maybe you didn't notice, but there are phones in every! seat on most long haul flights TODAY. So???

Mobile phones in this proposal will connect ONLY to onboard relay units and this of course will not be cheaper than it is today using the wired phones.

Cowboy1968

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5298332.stm

Bit old this piece of the story, but I think it gives you an idea who will be among the first to introduce this new service.

Padraig

And this idea emerges in an era where concern about air rage is already increasing!

ira

IMO, no one should be permitted to use a cell phone on an airplane except to call to say that they have been hijacked.

CarolA

Call, write etc. the FAA. At last check this has NOT been approved for US airlines..... I have emailed my complaint in the past.

beaupeep

Yup, it will be air rage for me. When someone is talking loudly on their stupid cell phone it makes me nervous and twitchy. God only knows how I will manage to keep that glass of red wine from spilling all over the phone-aholic in the seat next to me.

CathyM

If I ever encounter someone speaking loudly on their cell phone next to me on an airplane I'll use the same strategy I recently applied at the dentist office.

I was in the waiting room with only one women in the room. Her cell phone rang and she proceeded to have a long (and loud) conversation about what she was going to pick up for dinner, errands she would run, etc....nothing important. If it had been urgent I would have been understanding. Also, she could have easily stepped outside to room and had this conversation on the sidewalk. I was trying to keep my mind off the pending dental chair and reading a magazine. When I couldn't comprehend what I was reading due to her obnoxious loud discussion I proceeded to read the article out loud at the same volume as her phone conversation. She looked at me a little perplexed and I returned the perplexed look she gave me. She &quot;got it&quot; and quickly got off the phone - at which time I reverted back to my silent reading.

Carrybean

Good for you, Cathy!

RM67

Nice one, Cathy! 8-)

Maria_H

I can just imagine all those annoying ring tones going off - and people clambering over others as their phone goes off in the overhead locker. Not to mention the fun that could be caused when the stewardess hears the guy with the loud voice greeting his friend -

&quot;Hi Jack...&quot;