Inflight Cell Phone Use Dies

The Federal Aviation Administration last month said it doesn't agree with the Federal Communications Commission's suggestion to lift a 14-year-old ban on inflight cell phone use, effectively ending the possibility of a change in the policy because the two agencies share jurisdiction on the issue.

"The FAA is not changing its rules," Nicholas Sabatini, FAA associate director of aviation safety, said at a congressional hearing. Sabatini said airlines will have to prove cell phones and other handheld communications devices don't disrupt navigation and communications equipment before it changes its stance.

The question of allowing inflight use of cell phones pits business travelers who argue it will make them more productive against casual travelers who worry it will be a nuisance. Others raised concerns that terrorists might coordinate hijackings if they were allowed to use phones in flight.

"Flying has become increasingly inconvenient and stressful for a number of reasons," said Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), the chairman of the House aviation subcommittee. "The last thing most air passengers want is to be forced to listen to their neighbor chat on their cell phone about their ailments, dating problems, the latest reality TV show or up-to-the-minute estimated-time-of-arrivals for the duration of the flight."

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives favored lifting the ban so their members more easily could work in the air. "Business travelers derive the most out of their travel time through a number of electronic devices that are an extension of their offices," ACTE president Greeley Koch said in testimony before the subcommittee. "Judicious use of the cell phone will convert isolated hours spent in flight into productive, revenue-generating potential, especially on long flights."

While Koch emphasized consideration for other passengers and responsible cell phone use, opponents of the proposed rule change pointed to broader social and security concerns.

Sixty-three percent of 702 fliers surveyed by Lauer Research for the Association of Flight Attendants opposed lifting cell phone restrictions on commercial aircraft. Seventy percent wanted separate "non-phone" seating sections if the aircraft cell phone ban is lifted, the survey said. AFA president Patricia Friend said allowing cell phone use inflight would lead to squabbles between passengers and incidents of air rage. "Open season for cell phone users onboard aircraft threatens to create an unmanageable situation," she said.

Representatives for the departments of Justice and Homeland Security also warned of the potential for criminal mischief or worse.

"It is, of course, no secret that today's terrorists and criminals use cell phones, among other communications devices, to coordinate their illicit activities," said Laura Parsky, deputy assistant attorney general for the criminal division of the Department of Justice. "If inflight cell phone use is to be allowed, reasonable steps can and should be taken to minimize risks to our national security and public safety."

United Airlines and Verizon Wireless last month won approval to equip some airplanes with new wireless technology. American Airlines and Qualcomm last year successfully tested separate technology that would allow passengers to make calls inflight without fear of interfering with an aircraft's instruments.

If FCC approves any wireless devices, individual airlines would have to seek specific approval from the FAA to allow their use. Airlines also would have to set policies about whether to allow voice calls or just text-based messaging.

The Air Transport Association, the lobby group for U.S. commercial carriers, said its members are divided. Some oppose inflight cell phone use while others refuse to rule it out, spokesman Jack Evans said.

FCC regulations have prohibited the use of cellular phones and wireless communications devices on aircraft since 1991, citing concerns that such devices may interfere with ground-based cellular phone networks. Federal Aviation Administration regulations prohibit the use of signal-transmitting portable electronic devices aboard civil aircraft out of concern that they may interfere with communications and navigation equipment. Any change to the existing ban on cell phone use would require the approval of both FAA and FCC.

"This is the fourth time we've been asked to look at portable electronic devices," said Dave Watrous, president of the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, a Federal Advisory Committee and private, not-for-profit corporation that develops consensus-based recommendations regarding communications, navigation, surveillance, and air traffic management system issues.

Though cell phones have not been documented with certainty to interfere with aircraft navigation systems, Watrous said, "There is information that says it is a potential problem—not probable, but possible."