No Peace On Earth Or At 35,000 Feet

The Federal Communications Commission has voted along party lines to consider a proposal to allow cellphone conversations at 35,000 feet which will bring those “private” conversations to a seat near you.

Lawmakers, passengers and the union for flight attendants have all slammed the move, saying people shouldn’t be forced to listen to obnoxious phone conversations in a tight space.

But FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler called the existing ban on in-flight cellphone use, which is based on interference concerns, “outdated.”

Yet there is hope… Transportation Secretary Foxx says he will consider banning in-flight phone calls if the FCC lifts their ban.

If the FCC ultimately lifts its ban on all in-flight cellphone connectivity, and the DOT enacts new rules against voice calls, passengers would be able to text and browse the Web while still being barred from making calls.

Without a Federal Agency ban, it will be left to individual airlines to decide whether to allow in-flight phone calls.