FCC Considering Change to Phone Ban on Airplanes

For those of you who love talking on the phone, you may be in luck. For those of you who hate listening to people talk on the phone, there's nowhere to hide now. The Federal Communications Commission is considering allowing passengers to use phones on airplanes, according to their leader. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler noted in a statement on Thursday, per the report:

"Today, we circulated a proposal to expand consumer access and choice for in-flight mobile broadband. Modern technologies can deliver mobile services in the air safely and reliably, and the time is right to review our outdated and restrictive rules. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues, the FAA, and the airline industry on this review of new mobile opportunities for consumers."

The FCC will reportedly have an open meeting concerning the change on Dec. 12. Not everyone is on board in the airline industry, however.

The Association of Flight Attendants issued a strong statement opposing the move, stressing that such a change could bring about a louder and more disruptive environment on planes, which could create division among those on board.

"Any situation that is loud, divisive, and possibly disruptive is not only unwelcome but also unsafe," the organization said in the statement. "Many polls and surveys conducted over the years find that a vast majority of the traveling public wants to keep the ban on voice calls in the aircraft cabin."

This comes just weeks after the Federal Aviation Administration changed the rules to allow passengers to use electronic devices on jetliners.

In 2004, the FCC attempted to enact similar measures, but it ultimately didn't go through because of blowback from flight attendants and other concerned parties.

The FCC continues to push for more liberal rules, but it isn't getting a whole lot of help from airline employees. It figures to be another battle to change the rule.

Source: Travel Pulse, http://www.travelpulse.com/news/airlines/fcc-considering-change-to-phone-ban-on-airplanes.html