Pb Derigable Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 Fox News website via comcast website EU to Allow Cell-Phone Use on Airplanes Monday, April 07, 2008 BRUSSELS, Belgium — You can use your cell phone in the skies over Europe as early as this summer under new European Union rules — allowing travelers to stay in touch but also raising the cringe-inducing prospect of being stuck next to a chatterbox at 30,000 feet. Announcing the guidelines Monday, EU officials said they expect several Europe-based airlines to move within the next few months to launch services, effectively making the 27-nation bloc the first region in the world to scrap bans on the use of cell phones in the sky. They insisted that the new rules would not heighten the risk of terrorism or interfere with flight instruments, explaining the system, relying on European GSM technology, has been thoroughly tested and safeguards will be enacted against the terror threat. . The United States and many other countries ban the use of cell phones and other mobile devices in the air because of concern they could disrupt a plane's instruments. Travelers expressed fears about another kind of disruption: Noisy passengers. . Airlines and EU officials said the security risk will be minimized because the system will not connect inflight phones directly to the ground — instead using an onboard base station to link up to a satellite and then to ground networks. "It has to go through a central onboard cellular network that can be switched off by the captain at any moment, so that enhances the security of the passengers," said EU spokesman Martin Selmayr. He added that for safety and security concerns the phone services will not be available during takeoff, landing or during turbulence. Francoise Humbert, from the Association of European Airlines, which represents over 30 European carriers, said the network had been "very rigorously tested" and would not interfere with the aircraft's communication and navigation systems. The installation of base stations on the plane allows calls to directly target a satellite system, preventing mobile phones from wreaking havoc with flight instruments or ground networks by sending out signals indiscriminately. Mobile phone users will be allowed to turn their phones on after the plane reaches 10,000 feet, when other electronic devices such as portable music players and laptops are permitted. Monday's decision was welcomed by airlines — some of which like Air France-KLM have already launched a trial of in-flight phone services on some European routes. Alison Duquette, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, said the United States has no immediate plans to remove its ban. The new freedoms pose new pricing and etiquette questions. Selmayr said EU regulators would be keeping a close eye on the airlines and phone operators to make sure they set fair rates for the service. But he acknowledged that making a call at 10,000 feet will be more pricey than those made on the ground. "We understand there is an additional cost because you need to route these services via the onboard cellular network and there is some investment that has to be made," Selmayr said. He did not give any cost comparisons. British Midland Airways Ltd., also known as bmi; Portugal's TAP, and low-cost airline Ryanair are also planning to offer services later this year. Dubai-based Emirates Airlines introduced its in-flight phone services last month on its Dubai to Casablanca route, but limits the number of calls passengers can make and bars calls during night flights. The EU also urged airlines to set in-flight etiquette rules to ensure a balance between those wanting to make calls and others who in need of a few hours of quiet-time. German airline Lufthansa said Monday it does not plan to introduce the service because a majority of its customers saw no need for phone calls during flights. Surveys have shown that a large majority of customers were against it, Lufthansa spokesman Jan Baerwalde said. "People don't want to be disturbed," Baerwalde said. Lufthansa will, however, look at providing fast Internet access on its planes, a service it already offered from 2004 until the end of 2006. The airline is currently looking for a new service partner to reintroduce the service. The Association of European Airlines said airlines would inevitably set conditions on use to avoid in-flight flare ups between passengers. "There will be conditions of course because other passengers should not be inconvenienced by this possibility so there will be guidelines," said spokeswoman Francoise Humbert. Such rules were welcomed by travelers in Rome. "I think it can be helpful if it will be fairly ruled, avoiding abuses," said Antonio Bilancia, a traveler in Rome. Dear god if that lady doesn't shut the fuck up, I swear Im taking this fucking plane and ramming it into a cell tower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zosodude13 Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 I understand being safe with planes and all... but people are no MacGyver we cant take a cell phone, a shoelace, 2 oz of hand sanitizer and lint from our belly button to make a nuclear weapon... again, I understand being safe, but let's not get carried away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 There is very little evidence that cell phones cause interference with the aircraft systems and they have had extreme difficulty getting repeatable experimental results proving that they do. I'm amazed it has taken this long for someone to get this technology out there. Unfortunately, this now means you will have to put up with every man and his dog barking away into their mobile phones during your flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRB Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 Yay Lufthansa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pb Derigable Posted April 8, 2008 Author Share Posted April 8, 2008 I understand being safe with planes and all... but people are no MacGyver we cant take a cell phone, a shoelace, 2 oz of hand sanitizer and lint from our belly button to make a nuclear weapon... again, I understand being safe, but let's not get carried away The reason they were banned because of phones signals affecting the airplanes electronics. If they do pass this law in America, I hope they restrict it to the Internet only. Nobody's that important to take a phone call on a plane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zosodude13 Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 The reason they were banned because of phones signals affecting the airplanes electronics. If they do pass this law in America, I hope they restrict it to the Internet only. Nobody's that important to take a phone call on a plane. I guess I was elaberating on the saftey concerns for cell phones on planes in general I had a friend come back from Denmark, and he had to remove the battery from his cell phone, because (apparently) the signals where tested and proven to detinate a pipe bomb () sounds kinda sketchy to me but anyway, terrorism or not, glad to see there is some common sense about cell phones and planes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gainsbarre Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 I understand being safe with planes and all... but people are no MacGyver we cant take a cell phone, a shoelace, 2 oz of hand sanitizer and lint from our belly button to make a nuclear weapon... again, I understand being safe, but let's not get carried away Maybe you can't, but there's other people who can... And they're usually the ones who get on to blow it up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 I had a friend come back from Denmark, and he had to remove the battery from his cell phone, because (apparently) the signals where tested and proven to detinate a pipe bomb () sounds kinda sketchy to me Cell phones can be used to detonate a bomb - not through the power of their transmission but the detonator can be attached to a mobile phone, and when it receives and incoming call, detonate the bomb. But i don't think this is a reason not to use them on planes... People are far too afraid of terrorism. Yes it's bad, but it is not as big a danger as many people think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ledsabbath Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 There is very little evidence that cell phones cause interference with the aircraft systems and they have had extreme difficulty getting repeatable experimental results proving that they do. I'm amazed it has taken this long for someone to get this technology out there. Unfortunately, this now means you will have to put up with every man and his dog barking away into their mobile phones during your flight. Well , there may be "very little evidence" of mobile phone interference, but if there is even the slightest chance, are you prepared to take the chance? I'm not. If I'm flying, I don't want the even the most miniscule and tiny extra risk of an unsafe flight. Why do people have to call during flights? It is so unnecessary. It is also incredibly irritating for a bunch of people to be stuck together for many hours, chattering away, with mobile tones constantly ringing. It is just stupid pandering to mindless consumerism. You can call before you board, you can call after you arrive, surely people can have the discipline to withold calls during flights. Honestly, it is just part of the "ME" generation that demands all products and services all of the time. A bit of self discipline, restraint, common sense and decency would be in order. I hope mobile phones are permanently banned from aircraft. And as Gainsbarre has rightly said, sure, most people aren't Macgyver that can use a phone, a paper clip and toothbrush and conjure it into a bomb or remote detonation device. But it is not most people we have to worry about. Terrorists are extremely sophisticated in their creative use of common goods and products. Most of us wouldn't be able to use a phone to detonate a bomb, but a good terrorist could find a way. Again, it is just so damn unnecessary. There is no need for people to call during flights. Again, have some self restraint to do your calling after the plane lands. Geez. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zosodude13 Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Cell phones can be used to detonate a bomb - not through the power of their transmission but the detonator can be attached to a mobile phone, and when it receives and incoming call, detonate the bomb. But i don't think this is a reason not to use them on planes... People are far too afraid of terrorism. Yes it's bad, but it is not as big a danger as many people think. I agree 110% on that comment about terrorism... and about the phones, I just talked to him about it, and he said airport security just said the signal could detinate a bomb... if that means a detonator or just the signal... we're both not sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manderlyh Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Nobody's that important to take a phone call on a plane. Totally agreed. I have sat next to people on the tarmac who are obnoxious on their phones. I'd kill someone if I had to sit next to them for six hours while they bullshit on the phone. I would. Even if there were an emergency other than a hijacking, what are you going to do if you're on a plane? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock Action Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Oh fucking wonderful. Like there aren't enough people blabbing on the fucking things nonstop as it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manderlyh Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Yeah, the difference is now you're stuck next to them and you can't get away. And you don't know them well enough to tell them how douchy their behavior is without the possibility of getting punched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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