FCC Urged to Maintain Ban On Airborne Use Of Cellphones

The FCC proposed in Feb. to replace or relax a ban on airborne use of 800 MHz cellular handsets and other wireless devices. It sought information on technological solutions that may enable interference-free operation of wireless devices aboard airborne aircraft, and it asked that interested parties provide technical data to support their comments. The timing of the CWA and AFA press conference on the study was linked to the comment deadline in the April 11 proceeding. But the FCC on Wed. moved that deadline to May 26 (CD April 7 p6) in response to requests by the Justice and Homeland Security departments, Boeing, Telenor and ARINC.

A CWA campaign is urging flight attendants and other CWA members to write to the FCC opposing the proposal. So far, more than 4,500 have done so, with 99% of them endorsing the ban. Many letters seem identical; AFA Pres. Patricia Friend said the AFA did provide “sample comments for people who didn’t have time to write their own.” If the FCC adopts the proposal, it moves to the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) for final approval.

“This is a concern for flight attendants for 3 primary reasons: safety, security and the human factor issue,” Friend said: “It is also a concern to the majority of the traveling public.” Citing the study, Friend said 68% of respondents said “the worst thing” about cell phones use on airplanes was that they would be “noisy and distractive.” She said 76% of frequent business travelers said the same: “One of the main reasons that the FCC wanted to lift the ban is to help business travelers do get more work done on airplanes, but clearly business travelers are saying ‘no thank you.'”

An FCC spokeswoman said the FCC was “not the gate keeper on this issue. Don’t look for the FCC to tackle social discipline question in a big way. That’s better left to FCC because of its relationship to air safety and air navigation which is their area of expertise.” But Friend said “somebody has to deal with the human factor. The FCC has to regulate in the public interest and their mandate is to consider the human factor as part of the public interest.”

Safety is a major concern of poll participants, Friend said. She said 78% of respondents agreed that cellphone distractions during the pre-departure emergency announcement could be “very serious if there is a need to evacuate an airplane. The use of cellphones could greatly assist terrorists in coordinating attacks.”

Friend also said cellphones could interfere with navigational gear. “Pilots frequently report to NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System of instances of interference caused by cellphone usage onboard of aircraft,” she said: “87% of poll respondents said that alone is a reason to keep the ban.” Friend said 84% of respondents agreed the FCC should wait for the FAA to complete a study on cellphone impact on navigational devices, which could take two years. National Consumer League Vp-Public Policy Susan Grant said: “If people need to make calls in an emergency, there are already air phones that can be used. Let’s not make air travel even more stressful than it is.”

If cellphone use is allowed, the wireless industry should address passenger comfort and safety, Friend said. She said poll participants agreed flight crews should be able to “flip a switch that would instantly disconnect use of all cellphones during safety and emergency announcements.” She said surveyed consumers endorsed “quiet areas” on planes.