Cell phone use on planes strongly opposed
Knox airline crews, state residents object, citing safety, security and rudeness factors

RICHARD POWELSON
KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL
APRIL 10, 2005

Tennesseans have been unanimous on whether they want the Federal Communications Commission to allow cell phone use during commercial flights.

"No, no, no!" Victoria Morgan of Brentwood wrote, echoing the opposition of all 55 Tennesseans who have posted electronic comments through the agency's Web site.

The FCC has said it will consider later this year whether to end the ban on cell calls during flights, but the regulatory process could take longer. More than 4,700 U.S. residents so far have sent electronic comments to the FCC at gullfoss2.fcc.gov/ecfs/Upload/ regarding cellular telephones and Docket 04-435.

U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. of Knoxville, a frequent flier who does not carry a cell phone, has been among those complaining.

"Cell phones on planes would be a major inconvenience to the majority of our nation's air travelers," he wrote. "People generally talk louder on cell phones than in private, one-on-one conversations."

Passengers may make cell calls before and after flights, but there has been a longtime federal ban on such calls during flights to avoid interference with onboard communications and navigation equipment. The FCC has said that new technology may avoid the interference problem; the matter remains under study.

Airline crews from Knoxville and several other Tennessee cities have raised strong concerns about safety and security.

"Cell phone use would enable terrorists to coordinate a plan of action more effectively," wrote Kelly Scott-Dickes, a Knoxville flight attendant.

Many passengers on crowded flights already are stressed, Knoxville flight attendant Linda Dumas wrote. "Adding cell phone usage to the mix during flight is a recipe for disaster."

Christine Smith of Greenback, another flight attendant, wrote that it was not logical for anyone to support the change unless they own stock in the cellular industry or had never sat or stood near a loud, long-winded cell user in some public place.

Confrontations between passengers would be likely during in-flight cell calls, she predicted. "I feel this would provoke each passenger already on the edge of violence over that edge."

Alicia Pinto, a flight attendant from Martin, wrote: "This is not a sane idea. Imagine being surrounded by loud conversations for an entire four-hour flight!"

Another Knoxville resident, Ann Lloyd, wrote that cell calls during flights would be "rude and annoying. Flying is stressful enough as it is. Please leave the current rules in effect."

Debra Nevinski of Memphis pointed out to FCC officials that newer cell phones can shoot photographs and video and store it. "That could be used to record crew procedures and the aircraft" layout.

Another flight attendant, Angie Gilluly of Cordova, a Memphis suburb, suggested the mayhem ahead if cell phones were allowed and there was a pilot announcement about an emergency.

"Unfortunately," Gilluly wrote, "people will be more concerned with contacting their loved ones rather than following evacuation procedures or safety demonstrations that could possibly save their life or others."