In-Flight Cell Phone Calls Now Allowed On Emirates
We've all heard the myths and rumors surrounding midair cell phone use; about how accidentally leaving your phone on while on a flight could result in you and every other person aboard plunging to their doom. Whether or not those conceptions are well-founded, they've been used as excuses to ban midair cell phone calls on pretty much every airline in the world -- until now. At last, certain flights on Emirates Airways are allowing passengers to officially get their calls and texts on.
The first fully authorized calls were made on a flight between Dubai and Casablanca, letting passengers annoy their plane-mates with inane conversations about how weird it is to be talking on a cell phone on a flight. To keep the annoyance to a minimum, Emirates flight crews advised passengers to put their phones on silent mode and keep the volume down. Those warnings tend to be wholly ineffective in curbing rude cell phone behavior in movie theaters, but since flying is a somewhat riskier proposition than film viewing, here's hoping people listen a little more closely.
From Engadget
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)
davidb @ Mar 21st 2008 1:57PM
It is already extraordinarily annoying having to listen to those selfish, self-absorbed people who talk until the second the door is closed (and often thereafter until the flight attendant threatens removal) prattle on at a decibel level intended to ensure that anyone within earshot can hear their travails; imagine listening to the same individuals blithely continue their claptrap at the expense of those around them, heedless and uncaring, reveling in callous disregard of others as they pursue their small-minded, supercilious conversations. If these people truly were so important that they actually needed to use their cell phone on an airline flight, they'd have their own jet. Otherwise, I define them for what they are: selfish poseurs who need a life more than a portable. Keep cells off of US commercial flights!!!
KDholakia @ Mar 21st 2008 2:16PM
Its about time! I always knew there no danger in making cell call in the air. I remember years ago, It was no problem making call on a plane. I guess they realized they can't sell us $1 a minute calls. I would fly any airline that would offer WiFi internet and cell calling.
Deanna Matz @ Mar 21st 2008 2:29PM
davidb, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!!!!
eddie haynes @ Mar 21st 2008 2:31PM
Hope that othere carriers will not permit this piece of folly. People usually talk louder when they use a cell phone and to endure some inane converstion for the duration of flight ..no matter how long.. is inexcusable.NO CELL PHONE CALLS IN FLIGHT..thanks
Keith @ Mar 23rd 2008 6:16AM
I would never fly an airline that allows people to talk on thier cell phones, its irritating enough to have them everywhere else...........
Wolfster @ Mar 23rd 2008 6:24AM
Sure, let people use cell phones on planes. But also give fellow passengers the right, if someone is making a non-life-and-death call, to pound them in the face with their own cell phones til their stupid ears bleed. That seems fair.
JBJG24M @ Mar 23rd 2008 6:35AM
THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BAN CELL PHONES IN RESTURANTS! ESPCIALLY WHILE DRIVING ALSO!!
John Arakelian @ Mar 23rd 2008 6:39AM
I am a private pilot and use my cell while in the air. It does not effect any of the planes functions.
AS far as people being annoyed by people using cell phones I think that they have nothing better to do than to complain. Today it is cell Phones, tomorrow it is the price of Gas They are Professional complainers
Ken Stammen @ Mar 23rd 2008 7:55AM
Luckily for me, I dont have to travel much. In fact I dont even have to be around many people at all, even while working. People suck!
If I were on a flight and some self absorbed idiot was disterbing me with constant jabber, I would be the guy who made national headline for JAMBING THE FRIGGIN THING UP THEIR YING-YANG!
kathy @ Mar 23rd 2008 8:16AM
I would rather people talk on their own cell phone than spending hours trying to talk to me. I don't know these people, I will never see them again and I don't want to get to know them. I think it is just as annoying to have someone trying to make conversation with when I am trying to read or sleep during a flight. I would love to be able to use my computer on line on a flight, or let my family know how I am doing. Besides, the batteries wouldn't last an entire flight anyway.
ron allen @ Mar 23rd 2008 8:18AM
Text ok, I agree with first poster, if you want to see air rage in a plane let the phones work. I would rather have smoker next to me as they are quiet than cell phone user.
Ronnie @ Mar 23rd 2008 8:24AM
There is nothing more annoying than an overweight slob standing,blocking the path to your seat,than an overweight slob blocking the path to your seat,talking on a cell phone,telling there friends that they are on the plane and bla bla bla bla. Its amazing how they look when they return to their seat,sit and find it soaked and your fast asleep. ;-)
captjoelk @ Mar 23rd 2008 8:32AM
If any airline I fly with starts allowing cell phone call use in the air, I'm going start bringing one of those compressed air horns. They're not going to hear ANYTHING after that.
Frank @ Mar 23rd 2008 8:53AM
Sing Sing Sing
I plan on singing very loud in the direction of anyone talking on the phone. If they have the right to talk, I have the right to sing and my voice is aweful and will be much more annoying than they are.
Sherri @ Mar 23rd 2008 8:56AM
Wow...........u guys are really on a roll here..I think most people use their laptops and cell phones just to make time pass........I woud love a wifi connection, and with earphones, it would bother no one..
heeler mama @ Mar 23rd 2008 9:03AM
Not only is this insane, it is and will be unsafe. As a flight attendant passengers EXPECT us to police the cabin for their safety and comfort. I just had a lady onboard insist that I wake an International First Class traveling passenger because she felt he snored too loud while sleeping on a 14 hour flight. Another passenger demanded I force the man next to him to put his shoes on and now cell phones?! This is mad and so unsafe. We have all seen those rude cell phone users who speak loud, laugh and carry on as if the world was only theirs. I highly doubt the Emirates flight crews are Union giving them a choice, but this will hinder their flight staff's ability to maintain control in the cabin not to mention keep us all safe in the air. Oh yes,all nighters across the country that people choose to fly so as to sleep before their early morning meetings, should be an interesting combat zone. We sure hope this doesn't come our way in the states otherwise their will be a new term " cell phone air rage".
sjp @ Mar 23rd 2008 9:04AM
I'm with you, Frank. And I can't sing either.
Jay @ Mar 23rd 2008 9:08AM
Is there anywhere that we can get away from cell-phone addicts who cannot stop talking for two seconds? Why are they so afraid of being alone, anyway?
Sandy @ Mar 23rd 2008 9:12AM
This is not a good thing. I agree with David, not the pilot who sits up front in comfort away from the noise in the back. I due believe this will cause flight rage among passengers. If people are so important they cannot be without talking on a phone, let them hire a private jet. It is so sad that people think they have to be on a cell EVERY MINUTE. I have heard private conversations while shopping that embarrass me, others that make me wonder about the intelligence of the person talking and the outcome will be that to escape this on-going self centered conversation(s) we can only stay home, get our own plane or stay in our own car. It is insane. I hate just hearing the LOUD personal conversations everywhere I go but on a plane you are a prisoner and nothing stops those who live life that is "all about me". What about a long flight with a movie? Guess we have to give those up because headsets cannot overcome loud mouths on their cell phone. Also, I find it annoying that I am expected to be on call for anyone and everyone (including work) 24/7. It is nonsense and this is a very bad addition to an already stressful situation. Traveling by air these days suck and most of the companies I know are trying to do virtual meetings, training, etc. to keep employees from traveling so much. I hear people getting passports that say they try to drive before flying at all costs anymore. Not to mention the fact that Amtrak is attracting more travelers because it is nicer and more accommodating than flying. Keep this up and soon you can close all the airlines and people who fly will just do private charters as they are going to be the only ones who can afford it or are willing to pay to listen to others meaningless trivial conversations. Very big mistake in making this decision.
j.railey @ Mar 23rd 2008 9:17AM
i fly jet blue at least 10 to 12 times a year and american air lines 3 times.
if cell phones are allowed THEN IT'S ON TO ANOTHER AIRLINE FOR SURE.