Fly speak

December 15, 2004

You know how they warn you that using your cell phone while you fly could make you and the rest of teh passengers and the whole plane suddenly become an earthbound missile with no controls? Apparently, it's all a lie. Which I already knew, having accidentally left my cell phone on more than a couple of times as I fly across the country and look! Still here!

Anyway, the FCC voted unanimously today that airlines can start offering high-speed Internet while flying, and they're opening up comments from the public about the use of cell phones on planes.

Are the airlines upset about all this? Not so much, it turns out. They're more worried about the annoyance factor than the possibility of flying the 747 into the Iowa sod. Do we really want 200 passengers all screaming into their cell phones about nothing?

Expect Internet access by 2006. Expect to start using your cell phone around the same time.

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Jeff Minard added:

Expect me to bash some heads in if I ever have to sit next to one of those jabberingly incosiderate louses.

Posted on December 15, 2004 11:35 PM

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Dirtworshiping Treehugger added:

I will hold them down for you, Jeff.

remember when it was called a 'car phone'? I try to stick to that, any other time its fucking abnoxious, my best friend always keeps his on his person when he comes to my house and ALWAYS gets a call which he not only takes but stays on, sometimes for an hour, when I really have to be available like that, I seem to have no trouble saying 'I'm [insert place here; plane, friends house, mall] I will call you back when I am on the road. well then there's the hang up and drive people, not always a true statement, cruising down the freeway at 80 in the left lane poses no hazard even if you dont have hands free unless you are a moron, its the lead paint lickers that have to gesture and look at the ceiling when they talk that start a 20 car pile up, but in the city, particularly SF, unless you are the only one on the road, pull over or hang up its bad enough that there are only 2 places to turn left in the entire city who needs the added danger of trying to handle a phone and a chat with your broker while driving.

but on the plane? ick, what is it with people? dont you feel a bit akward having a dozen people listening to your conversation with aunt thelma about her bunyon?

Posted on December 16, 2004 12:21 PM

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