Can we talk? The cellphone debate at 35,000 feet

A thoughtful piece from The Christian Science Monitor on the controversial prospect of cellphone use while flying, which sums up all the issues.

"To Kevin Mitchell, allowing people to use cellphones in airplanes would "create insanity up there," with passengers jabbering away while their aisle mates sit helplessly by.

But Greeley Koch counters it wouldn't be that bad. In fact, he thinks it would create a boon for business, producing millions of dollars for the economy as those hours spent flying are suddenly made more productive.

Both of these men head up corporate travel organizations.

... The FAA study on the impact of cellphone use on a plane's avionics, or electronics, will be ready in December 2006. If, as expected, it determines that cellphone use won't cause a safety hazard, Koch president of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, is ready with a compromise.

"There are other options, like text messaging, wireless e-mail, and BlackBerries," he says. "They would allow the business traveler to be productive and keep in touch with the office and still allow for a good environment in the airplane."

emily | 9:37 AM | Cell Phones while driving/flying/sailing |
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2005/07/009173.htm