House bill would outlaw cellphone chatting on U.S. airplanes: Legislation follows European moves

Key House members introduced a bill to ban cellphone use on in-flight airplanes, triggering a rebuke by a Georgia wireless technology firm.
“The public doesn’t want to be subjected to people talking on their cellphones on an already over-packed airplane,” said Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), lead co-sponsor of the bill. “However, with Internet access just around the corner on U.S. flights, it won’t be long before the ban on voice communications on in-flight planes is lifted. Our bill, the HANG UP Act, would ensure that financially strapped airlines don’t drive us towards this noisome disruption in search of further revenue.”
The legislation would only ban voice communications in-flight, though passengers could still access the Internet, e-mail and send text messages as other technologies become available on airplanes.
“Last year was one of the worst on record for flight cancellations, delays and lost luggage. Now is not the time to consider making the airline passenger-experience any worse, and using cellphones in-flight would do just that,” said Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), who has joined other senior members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in supporting the bill. “Polls show that the American public is strongly opposed to allowing cellphone use in-flight. They don’t just oppose the idea, they hate it, and the HANG UP Act will make sure it does not happen.”
Federal regulations already prohibit the operation of cellphones on planes that are airborne, while allowing conversations while an aircraft is idle or taxiing on the runway. The European Union recently announced it will permit passengers to talk on their cellphones while a plane is in-flight on all commercial airlines.
Paul Domorski, CEO of EMS Technologies of Norcross, Ga., said the bill is bad for U.S. airline carriers that must compete against foreign airlines. He said the legislation also hurts passengers who want the freedom to choose new services on flights, particularly during international travel.
“U.S. airlines should have the freedom to offer various services to their passengers — the market should decide what passengers want, not politics,” stated Domorksi.