by Judith Richards

Created on: December 13, 2008

I believe there is another, less scientific reason why airlines are still banning cell phone use on flights. Air travel, for most of us, is often exhausting, tedious and uncomfortable. Most passengers already feel like cattle in a boxcar when they fly and I believe airlines are hesitant to add non-stop cell phone conversation to the mix.

Much research has been done regarding cell phone use on planes and its affects on the function of the airplane navigation, etc. The results appear to be inconclusive and airlines are rethinking their ban. However, no airline has researched the affects of consistent and sometimes obnoxious cell phone use on passengers while traveling in an enclosed airplane over a long period of time. That unknown could ultimately affect profits and what airline would want to be the first to try it.

Ask any passenger, in fact any airline employee, if they would like to see cell phone use on airlines. There may be a few passengers that cannot live without their cell phone for more than a minute that would love to be able to use it while flying. I'm not sure most of the passengers would want it for the following reasons:

1. The airplane does not lend itself to privacy for the caller or for the other passengers. Most flights are fully booked and seating is cramped. Where can one go for privacy?

2. Most conversations on cell phones are very loud. One can hear the whole conversation, sometimes on both ends. Passengers listening to movies, music, etc would be disturbed.

3. There is no convenient location for the cell phone user or the passengers around him to escape to during a conversation.

4. Some, if not many, cell phone users are rude and do not practice proper etiquette for cell phone use. How does one enforce etiquette on an airplane?

5. On long flights, abusive cell phone use by a fellow passenger could result in rage and physical altercations.

6. Some people are becoming concerned about the long term health affects of radiation given off by cell phones. Again, there is no escape inside a full airplane.

If cell phones are to be allowed, strict rules must be put in place with enforcement and strong penalties for abuse. I don't believe the airlines have come up with a plan to allow cell phone use while at the same time protecting the rights of the non-user. It's far easier to keep the ban in place than it is to open this new "can of worms."

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