Europe: Talk and Text As You Fly
The other day the Chicago Tribune picked up an Associated Press article regarding airline passengers in Europe and the use of cell phones. It was reported that late in 2008 such passengers while flying throughout the 27 member European Union nations will be able to make cell phones calls and send text messages. There are 2 main issues addressed in this article regarding this new offering. First can it be done safely from a technological perspective, and second should it be done at all considering the disruptive affects of cell phone users to those in the immediate vicinity of the user.
As to the first issue, the EU is confident it can be done safely. Cell phone usage will not be allowed during takeoffs and landings and may only be used above 10,000 feet. The cockpit crew will have the ability within its discretion to turn off the service at anytime. In order to avoid any interference with flight navigation each aircraft will be equipped with a “miniature cell phone tower”. The tower will be linked to a satellite which will then be linked to a ground network. The signal will go from cell phone to onboard base station to satellite to ground. The on board base station prevents the individual cell phones from sending out indiscriminate signals, however one FAA study showed that there still is a slight risk that a cell phone might try to connect to a ground tower. The EU stated that the system has been thoroughly tested and has even added safeguards against terrorism.
The second issue addressed in the article is a bit more tricky. The airlines will need to strike a delicate balance between the cell phone users and those passengers wanting to sleep on longer flights or just seeking a bit of quiet from the hustle of the workday. Lufthansa, the German airline, has chosen not to offer the service. Their own internal studies have shown that their customers do not want the service. I believe it was another German, Greta Garbo, who once famously said, "I want to be alone," spoken with a heavy accent which made the word 'want' sound like vont. Some of the annoyances from this service are loud talkers, obnoxious ringtones, and calls during long night flights. The author suggests instituting some rules of etiquette. Now enforcing such rules is another thing. Good Luck!
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