Phone Calls in the Air? Agents Sound Off

When the Federal Communications Commission circulated a proposal last week urging a review of “outdated and restrictive rules” regarding cellphone calls on airplanes, it reignited a longstanding debate.

While some news reports mischaracterized the FCC’s statement as a sign that the government was taking a stand in favor of cell connectivity in the air (see sidebar), the heated discussion that ensued was a clear signal that the issue is of widespread interest.

Travel Market Report asked travel agents what they think of the notion of passengers talking on their phones during flights. Here’s what they had to say.

Why not?
“Honestly, if it does not interfere with the safety of pilot communications, why not?” – Meg Austin, owner, Meg2book, Denver

On second thought . . .
“There are some qualifications and concerns that I have. Personally I love the fact that you can’t presently make or take calls while on an airplane. It adds to the experience of flying. We are too connected as it is. Furthermore, I really don’t want to sit next to someone that is talking on the phone the entire time or even a part of the time.” – Meg Austin

Lost downtime . . .
“For me, airplane travel is almost a downtime; I use it to catch up. I watch movies, go through old emails or put my photos in order. These days you can also get every possible magazine on your iPad. The last thing I want to do is start making calls.” – Hope J. Smith, owner, Born to Travel, Sierra Madre, Calif.

. . . and more short fuses
“If you’re in business or first class, it might not be a problem. But if you’re in coach, you’re already in a cramped space with people constantly talking around you. Can you imagine the potential for frayed nerves? And if you get agitated, you may be walking off the plane in handcuffs.” – Hope J. Smith

Keep it private, please
“Most of the women I know hate the idea of more intrusion into private spaces. Our generation of 55-plus professional women is a cellphone [generation], and we all use smartphones for traveling and business. But I think we have a different idea of what volume is appropriate and what kinds of conversations should be left as private. ” – Phyllis Stoller, founder, The Women’s Travel Group, New York
 
Nonsense talk
“Most people I hear on cellphones in public are talking about nonsense, not emergencies. And anyone who needs to talk about serious business does it in writing anyway so as not to let the public hear insider info.” – Phyllis Stoller

Not a high priority
“Cellphone calls on flights aren’t a high priority for me or my clients. I sell personalized custom tours of Peru. My clients know they will be on a long flight. No one has ever told me they wish they could make calls during the flight. Wi-fi is more essential for clients that need to be in touch with work once they land.” – Nina Fogelman, director, Ancient Summit, New York
 
. . . but in some situations
“It’s basically a love-hate thing. I don’t care to hear other peoples’ business. Imagine a plane full of 300 people talking on their phones! But if there was some sort of emergency and you needed to get in touch with someone, it would be a nice to have that ability.” – Nina Fogelman

And then there’s the airlines
“We may be getting worked up on this issue for nothing. The airlines may not agree to this. And, who knows how expensive it will be to make those calls. It may be that no one can afford it.” – Hope J. Smith

“The bottom line is that airlines are competing like bad parents do. Give them everything they want, and the kiddies will behave – or in this case buy their plane tickets.” – Phyllis Stoller