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UK NEWS: In-flight phone calls opposed
Experts on etiquette have expressed concerns over proposals to allow people to use mobile phones on planes.
Ofcom said plans were now in place to allow passengers on UK-registered aircraft to use their own mobiles while in flight in European airspace.
Ofcom said that the new arrangement will involve passengers' own mobiles connecting to an on-board base station. Both of these must be switched off during take-off and landing to ensure they do not interfere with mobile networks on the ground.
Etiquette expert Liz Brewer said she opposed the plan and that if people were allowed to use mobile phones, it should be in a special area of the aircraft.
"To have to listen to someone on the phone the whole time would be really annoying," she said.
"A lot of people want to sleep on flights, so having people talking on the phone would obviously disrupt that.
"You have to have consideration for the person sitting next to you. If you were watching a DVD, you wouldn't dream of having the sound up, so you shouldn't be speaking on the phone.
"If they are going to allow mobile phones to be used, it should be in a special area, where other people won't be disturbed."
Jo Bryant, etiquette adviser for Debrett's, which is the authority on etiquette in the UK, said: "I think this idea will worry people, because people are so close together on planes, and there are no carriages - at least on trains you have quiet zones, which are mobile free.
"There is also the worry that although they are talking about European airspace at the moment, it could perhaps be extended to long haul one day, and it is on long haul particularly that people want to sleep."
1:42am Thursday 27th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: mark, newport on 9:51am Thu 27 Mar 08
is there no end to the whingeing people do in this country?
no talking on phones allowed on flights as people MAY want to sleep?
what next? no talking to stewardesses? tiptoe to the toilet so as not to disturb the delicate ones? sign language only on flights lasting longer than 2 hours? employing large birds to pull the plane along when altitude is reached so that the pilot can turn off those terribly noisy engines?
ludicrous.
is there no end to the whingeing people do in this country?
no talking on phones allowed on flights as people MAY want to sleep?
what next? no talking to stewardesses? tiptoe to the toilet so as not to disturb the delicate ones? sign language only on flights lasting longer than 2 hours? employing large birds to pull the plane along when altitude is reached so that the pilot can turn off those terribly noisy engines?
ludicrous.
Posted by: Chris on 10:11am Thu 27 Mar 08
I agree with the article. Having to listen to people's mobile phone calls made on public transport is really irritating. They should go to a special area to do this. In the case of aircraft I suggest it's outside.
I agree with the article. Having to listen to people's mobile phone calls made on public transport is really irritating. They should go to a special area to do this. In the case of aircraft I suggest it's outside.
Posted by: Midlands Exile on 10:31am Thu 27 Mar 08
I fully agree with Chris' comments. Whether it is trains or buses most calls overheard seem to be unnecessary. It's difficult not to hear these conversations, because most people using a mobile seem to feel it necessary to speak much louder when on public transport. I make the occasional long haul flight, 12 hours plus, and on such a flight you need to sleep, as difficult as it might be to do so. I can only see this move causing more incidents of air rage, and let's be clear about it, it isn't being proposed for the benefit of travellers but for the airlines to make more money. The only saving grace is that cost, much higher than for normal calls will deter most people.
I fully agree with Chris' comments. Whether it is trains or buses most calls overheard seem to be unnecessary. It's difficult not to hear these conversations, because most people using a mobile seem to feel it necessary to speak much louder when on public transport. I make the occasional long haul flight, 12 hours plus, and on such a flight you need to sleep, as difficult as it might be to do so. I can only see this move causing more incidents of air rage, and let's be clear about it, it isn't being proposed for the benefit of travellers but for the airlines to make more money. The only saving grace is that cost, much higher than for normal calls will deter most people.
Posted by: Gemski, Cwmbran on 2:28pm Thu 27 Mar 08
I hope they don’t allow this, mobile phones are becoming a nuisance! 9 times out of 10 you can predict a call...
Hi!
Hi!
How are you?
I’m good thanks, you?
Fine thanks...
where are you?
I am on my way to -------
who you with?
I am with ------
Pointless conversation!!! Unless it’s an emergency I really don’t understand the point of carry the things in public! I am off on hols in May to Mexico – 9hour flight I couldn’t think of anything worst than to surrounded by people with annoying tones constantly going off, and mind numbly boring conversations with no real purpose!
I hope they don’t allow this, mobile phones are becoming a nuisance! 9 times out of 10 you can predict a call...
Hi!
Hi!
How are you?
I’m good thanks, you?
Fine thanks...
where are you?
I am on my way to -------
who you with?
I am with ------
Pointless conversation!!! Unless it’s an emergency I really don’t understand the point of carry the things in public! I am off on hols in May to Mexico – 9hour flight I couldn’t think of anything worst than to surrounded by people with annoying tones constantly going off, and mind numbly boring conversations with no real purpose!
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