Should voice calls be allowed on aircraft?

[NM]

Following claims of "Overwhelming objections" and "Silent Majorities" etc in this thread, I though we could have our own poll to see what AFF members really think.

 

[serfty]

Considering my vote here: Would have voted for "Only SILENT SMS text messaging should be permitted during flights." if offered as an option.

My 'phone has a 'silent' function, but when on still vibrates for incoming SMS's. Easy to turn on and turn off without going via the menus.

 

[tuapekastar]

Considering my vote here: Would have voted for "Only SILENT SMS text messaging should be permitted during flights." if offered as an option.

Ditto. Silent SMS, no voice calls.

 

[Evan]

Hold on, can't you voice call already

We all know what you mean... silent SMS would be best.
E

 

[SeaWolf]

Who watches Chaser's War on Everything?
[singing] It's Clive, the slightly too loud commuter [/singing]

 

[acampbel]

Discreet SMS and email is fine, but I would add that voice calls could perhaps be an option in J or F because :-

1. There is more space and therefore privacy between pax
2. It would appeal to their self-importance
3. I never get to travel in anything except Y so I don't give a rats

Another option is to have a dedicated "lounge" for calls, which I reckon will be part of someone's A380 configuration.


Cheers,


Andrew

.

 

[JohnK]

Interesting, but not surprising, poll results so far.

Voice calls and SMS during flights        18.75% (3/16)
SMS only during flights                   50.00% (8/16)
No mobile phone use during flights        31.25% (5/16)

 

[dajop]

I'm OK with vibrate SMS's, just shrilling beeps that are the problem. As for voice calls, is it practical anyway? Sometimes with the background noise it is difficult enough carrying on a conversation with the passenger in the next seat, let alone on a phone. Has anyone ever used an inflight phone? Almost impossible to carry on a decent conversation with the noise.

 

[Ric]

silent SMS and email gets my vote

ric

 

[Happy Dude]

silent SMS and email gets my vote

ric

Me too. And if you'd heard my boss's incoming sms alert, you'd know why.

 

[NM]

Given that the current trial on QF requests people using SMS to switch their phone to silent, I think we can assume that SMS means using phones switched to silent/vibrate mode. And I am not going get into the discussion about the benefits of switching your phone to vibrate in various situations :shock: .

 

[JohnK]

When people mention SMS in silent mode does this only include the ringtone or the keypad tones as well? I hear some people composing sms on mobile phones where the keypad tones are louder than the ringtones. :shock:

 

[simongr]

This is just getting ridiculous if people are that sensitive to noise they shouldnt fly. Ihear the beep of someone pressing teh FA call button at least 20 times each flight - maybe that should be muted, all communication between FAs other pax be in sign language - I mean I dont wnat to hear whether thy have chosen chicken or beef, a/c should be switched off as it is really very noisy...

 

[serfty]

I find that very few regular mobile 'phone users employ key 'click' or 'tone' these days.

 

[JohnK]

Update on results so far....

Voice calls and SMS during flights        10.00% (4/40)
SMS only during flights                   50.00% (20/40)
No mobile phone use during flights        40.00% (16/40)

 

[oz_mark]

I find that very few regular mobile 'phone users employ key 'click' or 'tone' these days.

One of the first things I do with a new phone is switch that 'feature' off.

 

[tuapekastar]

I'm definitely in the anti-mobile camp on planes. Not because I want to impose my own selfish wishes on others (I don't, really ) - I'd be perfectly happy for them to be used if they are used in a fashion that is respectful and non-bothersome to others - and that is a highly subjective thing, which makes it difficult, even impossible, to define what "acceptable" use is.

What I as an opponent consider reasonable, some one else may consider unreasonable, and vice-versa.

And experience in other areas (eg. people using mobiles in cinemas, restaurants, trains (loudly), answering them in meetings etc.) means you just know that there are going to be enough ignoramuses who will "misuse" (again, admittedly,a very subjective area) mobiles (voice) on a plane. Equally there will be lots who use them in an "acceptable" way (whatever that is).

So when something is so subjective, I think the only feasible way to "control" it is the draconian way ie. ban it. (voice only, 'silent' SMS and e-mail ok)

 

[simongr]

I am not convinced that there will be that many ignoramouses (or is it ignoramice?) Given how expensive the calls are the first thing we will see about 2 months after people are allowed to make calls is Today Tonight doing a special on how some people are in massive debt because they just wanted to call home and check all was ok whilst flying in whY to LHR. If it is allowed I know my company will ban anyone using a company mobile on an aircraft (except perhaps senior leandership team) and will refuse to reimburse call costs (in the same way that most companies dont reimburse for using inflight phones) so in fact usage may not be that high.

 

[Shano]

Yes, hitting people in the hip pocket can often be the best deterrent.

 

[oz_mark]

I am not convinced that there will be that many ignoramouses (or is it ignoramice?) Given how expensive the calls are the first thing we will see about 2 months after people are allowed to make calls is Today Tonight doing a special on how some people are in massive debt because they just wanted to call home and check all was ok whilst flying in whY to LHR. If it is allowed I know my company will ban anyone using a company mobile on an aircraft (except perhaps senior leandership team) and will refuse to reimburse call costs (in the same way that most companies dont reimburse for using inflight phones) so in fact usage may not be that high.

My company phone does not have roaming so I would not be able to use voice anyway. Mind you, I could get roaming enabled....