Is this really an issue? Have you ever 'forgot' to turn off your phone prior to take-off? Have you ever looked at the signal bar when you were up there cruising at 39,000 feet? I have. Guess what? There is NO signal! This is because cell phone tower antennas are aimed horizontally across the surface and not pointed at the sky. Why are people worried about cell phones on planes? The Skyphone (conveniently located in the head rest in front of you) is designed for air to ground communications. Your cell phone is not! Why am I talking about this? Well I'm glad you asked...
Wired News: An increasing number of airlines think the person next to you should be able to chatter away on a cell phone, something some consider the best thing to happen to air travel since in-flight cocktails.
Although several U.S. carriers offer in-flight wireless internet access via satellite uplink, we've yet to see them roll out in-flight phone service, which is still prohibited by the FAA and just a really stupid idea according the Federal Communications Commission.
My fictional account of a Presidential Press Conference:
- Helen Thomas to Mr Gibbs: Will the President advise the FAA to advise the FCC to enable cell frequency spectrum repeaters on domestic commercial flights to enable air travelers to have uninterrupted cell phone communications with terrestrial cell phones and WHO is going to pay for this major overhaul to our Nation's Communications Infrastructure???
- White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs: Well umm Uh er umm. Well what I think the President has said is, that, the uhh... umm phones and things should provide equal service to all Americans regardless of their altitude.
Should I get paid to write this stuff? :)
1 comment:
well okay then.
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