The Hang Up Act: Yay or Nay?

Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio recently introduced an appropriately titled bill, “The Hang Up Act.” If approved, the bill would prohibit the use of voice communication via cell phones during flight, but would allow airline passengers to send text messages and email. The bill would continue to allow the use of the in-flight phones that are built into the back of seats.

A survey released by Yahoo Mobile last week shows that this is what the majority of Americans would prefer on airplanes: 74 percent said it’s OK to use the silent features on mobile phones such as email and texting while in the air, but are against allowing voice communication. If passengers are allowed to talk on cell phones, 69 percent would want a designated area for talking.

Palm says “yay” to the “Hang Up Act,” and makes smart devices that allow people to communicate with their hands in a number of ways–email, texting, IM–that don’t impede on their neighbors.

-Paul Loeffler

Comments

[Grant Root]

Prohibiting voice calls would perhaps improve the comfort of other passengers, but this bill *doesn't* do that. Since making voice calls on the seat-back phones is still allowed, it's pretty clear the only thing the bill does is shore up a revenue source for the airlines.

[Mary]

Not only no calling from cellphones on planes, but absolutely no way in you know where should they allow people to talk on cellphones when flying. If an airline did allow it, then I wouldn't fly on that airline!

[Chris]

99% of the stuff can wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The 26% who aren't against it must have no life, huge egos to think they are that important, or something else.

[NayNay]

and yes, my answer is still Nay! It's bad enough when people are boarding planes and talk on their phones for until the flight attendant finally tells them to turn off all eltronic devices. Some conversation no one should have to hear.