Southwest Passenger Cited For Cell Phone Chatter

Ah...give him the fine stupid ASS

I am grateful that the flight attendants enforced the rule that would help ensure the safety of the passengers. I have witnessed occasions where people are talking over the safety instructions in the beginning of flight; passengers ignore the request to return to seats; and other safety compromising behavior. It is about time someone stood up for the rules and had the guts to enforce them. Thank you Southwest! Maybe other airlines will follow your lead!

I am not for cell phone use during flights for social reasons, however, multiple studies have shown that cell phones have little to no affect on navigation equipment in airplanes. Call it a rudeness issue or whatver but it should not be referred to as a safety issue.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phones_on...

That is not correct DC Guy, there have been instances when cell and PDA signals have acutally caused mis-readings in the cockpit. One DC-10 incident several years back comes to mind. In most cases things work out fine it's the "little" that may main the difference between missing a radio call and hitting another airplane that concerns most of us.

Personally I am sick an tired of the Generation E'rs who don't give a damn about anyone else.(E for entitlement!)

Have a good one and hang up!

DCguy wrote:

I am not for cell phone use during flights for social reasons, however, multiple studies have shown that cell phones have little to no affect on navigation equipment in airplanes. Call it a rudeness issue or whatver but it should not be referred to as a safety issue.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phones_on...

Those of us business travelers talking on the phone are the ones paying full price tickets that subsidize the whiners complaining about safety issues that don't exists. Show me a credible study rather than conjecture and I'll hand up the phone. Until then, my standard protocol is to keep talking until told by the steward at least twice to hang up.

WOW...Mr Biz Traveler...I would love to have you as one of my empoyees...what ever it take to get the job done...but I'm forgetting something...it seems your totally willing to break the law...it doesn't matter what's proven or not proven about the safety issue of cell phone usage on aircraft...it's been made LAW...but you don't care...You've proven that your beyond law...so in closing, you'd better HOPE your never seated next to me because after the first warning by the flight attendant I can only say your cell phone will not be in working condition.
I wonder what other laws you feel don't refer to you...I can only imagine your someone real special...JUST ASK YOU...I'm sure you tell us.

Billybob, you are stating that Biz Traveler is "breaking the law" but your comments " can only say your cell phone will not be in working condition." are threatening and also indicate that you would be willing to break the law! To quote you, "What other laws don't refer to you??"

Phones on planes are not my favorite thought since I frequently fly late and sleep or work quietly. However, I would never consider taking and destroying someone's cell phone.

Frequent Flyer,
Your correct...two wrongs don't make a right. I've over reacted by becoming one of those high miles travelers sick and tired of rude cell phone users.
After rethinking...you'll recognize me as the passenger sitting next to the cell phone user with steam conning out of my ears.
SORRY Biz Traveler I promise I'll behave

Talking on your cell phone when the cabin door is closed may not be a direct safety issue. However, ignoring the instructions of a flight attendant IS a safety issue, and people that do that have absolutely no place on an aircraft until they change their attitude. Flight attendants are there for your safety only, and if one chooses to not adhere to their instructions - they can find another way to get where they're going. Greyhound, perhaps?

i know this much...my cell phone can be sitting on my desk. if my radio is on, i know my cell phone is going to ring before it does. how? because i get interference over my radio before the phone rings. that to me is all i need to know. i don't care what your circumstances are. if there is the slightest chance it may cause a problem, phones need to be off. PERIOD! i nor anyone else should have to PROVE anything. what? you want an accident just to PROVE to you that it COULD happen? i'm not willing to take a chance with my life or my family's life. are you? not to mention i don't care to hear your conversations...much less 100+ other people's conversations. the phone should be turned off for the duration of the flight. no one is above the law.

Get ready its all going to change,Two airlines already let you us phones inflight although they only want you to text.I believe its Virgin Atlantic and Gulf air. This is new technology and Idont expect any US LOW COST CARRIERS to get it in the next fifty years.

I personally would prefer not to hear someone on their cell phone while on a plane; if I'm on the ground then I have the option to find another place to go to get away from the noise, in the air, I can't just step outside!:P Inflight internet access would be a nice standard in the industry though.

Why are you waiting to be told twice? It's the norm to tell children to do something more than once. I'm sick and tired of my flight being held up because of Biz travelers such as yourself not complying to the rules that everyone on the plane are subject to. It's a Federal Regulation to turn off your phone when advised over the PA system. You talk about non-existent safety issues like you might be in the airline industry. Have you had the experience of flying a plane to know the statistics & actual impact of electronic devices in use during flight? Why the need for a "credible study"? How about you follow the rules like everyone else? Also, for the record. Not all the whiners are getting a discount, in fact at times, quite the opposite. I find it interesting to hear you are paying full rates. Usually business travelers have their trips paid for by their company, while the traveler enjoys the perks & points of traveling.

Biz Traveler wrote:

Those of us business travelers talking on the phone are the ones paying full price tickets that subsidize the whiners complaining about safety issues that don't exists. Show me a credible study rather than conjecture and I'll hand up the phone. Until then, my standard protocol is to keep talking until told by the steward at least twice to hang up.