Originally published April 13 2005
Poll says most people do not want cell phones used during flights
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Association of Flight Attendants opposes the lifting of the ban on cell phones in airplanes. Together with the National Consumer League, they conducted a poll which also suggests that many American oppose lifting the ban. The group says that allowing the use of mobile phones during flight can annoy passengers and can pose security risks.
We love our cell phones -- on the ground, not on airplanes.
A new poll by the Association of Flight Attendants and the National Consumer League finds Americans overwhelmingly opposed to the use of cell phones on airplanes.
Do you think the FCC should allow people to use their cell phones while in flight?
The groups said Americans stand "against an airplane cabin full of passengers yakking on their cell phones."
Use of cell phones during flights currently is banned but the FCC is taking public comment on whether the ban should be lifted.
Pat Friend is president of the Association of Flight Attendants, which opposes the use of cell phones on planes.
She said the jury's still out on whether they are safe.
She also fears they could be used to coordinate an attack.
Friend also said passengers could get annoyed and maybe even become violent because there would be no escape from people who are talking.
Working flight attendants will discuss with the FCC what they say are already increasing air rage incidents and how they believe in-flight cell phone use would make a bad situation worse.
They also will recount incidents when passengers have ignored the current ban, prompting concerns from pilots about interference with airplane systems.
According to the groups, despite an overwhelming majority of negative comments from flight crew professionals and passengers, there is a strong push from some airline and business interests to end the current ban on in-flight phone use.
They also said that the FCC, whose public comment period on the subject ends April 11, may agree to allow cell phones.
AFA-CWA is the largest union for flight attendants, representing 46,000 flight attendants worldwide.
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