Should voice calls be allowed on aircraft?

[simongr]

Mine has roaming and so does the blackberry - I had a $600 bill recently (whilst in AKL bizarrely) and not a word was said. Other peo migth get different treatment but if allowed just wait for me to be yapping to mrssimongr all the way through the dinner course

 

[serfty]

Of course, the 744's have had a 'phone facility for quite a few years.

But at USD6 per minute it does have built in deterrent.

I actually tried to use it once in March last year after a 4 hour stay in the LAX F/L (while awaiting the arrival and departure of QF10late).

SWMBO fumbled the 'phone on answering, causing the call to drop out.

I did not want to risk trying again and sure enough in a day or two AUD6.94 was charge to my CC.

 

[simongr]

Also some flights had boing Conexxion (sp?) and people could make calls using skype until recently...

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Also some flights had boing Conexxion (sp?) and people could make calls using skype until recently...

Not that recently. That disappeared last year. Still no sign of a replacement

PS Boeing Connexion.

 

[~B~]

I think saying "silent sms" only would be hard to enforce. People will just ignore it..

I think no mobiles

 

[thadocta]

Another option perhaps - no incoming voice calls, but outbound voice calls are okay. (Lets you do some last minute rearrangement of plans due to flight delays, or things you forgot to do before you left, but prevents bothersome incoming calls about trival stuff as well as constant annoying ringtones...)

Dave

 

[JohnK]

52 votes so far....

Voice calls and SMS during flights        11.54% (6/52)
SMS only during flights                   48.08% (25/52)
No mobile phone use during flights        40.38% (21/52)

 

[jesterjean]

i thin only text messages should be used just if you were in a meeting

 

[Shano]

I flew on VH-OGI SYD-MEL on Sunday, which is the 763 being used for the inflight SMS/Email trial. This aircraft has an LCD screen just above the crew seat as you board. It was not until we were on final descent that I realised what it was, otherwise would have had a closer look (got a good view from seat 1B though ).

The crew were also handing out survey forms about inflight SMS/Email/voice calls, one of which I received. Questions such as did you use this service, would you use in the future, do you want voice / data calls etc. I didn't use the service as I didn't really have a need to (wasn't going to use it just for the novelty value) although did indicate on the form that I thought the data calls were a good idea, but not voice calls.

 

[sue_in_oz]

I like that it is my chance to escape from the dreaded phone when I am on a flight - my little piece of sanctuary

Just my 2c worth

Sue

 

[jesterjean]

hi sue i dont often travel by plane but i like to keep in touch with my friends and family when i am needed
i am talking about text messages mainly

 

[simongr]

That is one of the things that I would like. I travel a lot of long haul and am often in a significantly different time zone - it would be nice to say good morning to my wife - rather than having no contact at all for a couple of days at a time.

I actually think for me personally this would be of no use traveling domestically.

 

[sirlegend]

but wont they cause my plane to crash..... .

Have no problem with them on domestic flights - although most FF probably relish the 1-3 hrs that they HAVE to turn the thing off while they're in the air. They could be annoying though on LH flights if the majority of the cabin are trying to sleep, while some pimply faced youth is messaging all his mates telling them where he is.

End of the day - I reckon it's only a matter of time & they will not only be able to use them but it'll be cost effective AND your company will require you to spend your 3 hrs making calls while on the plane just so they can ensure they are getting yet another pound of flesh from you.

 

[Happy Dude]

She doesn't have pimples yet SirLegend, but imagine being sat next to this as she travels to the next championship.....

FYI, 13yo skool grl nu US txt chmpN US - Phones & PDAs - Gadgets - Technology

Every 5 and a half minutes!!? Sweet baby Jebus!

 

[JohnK]

It highlights the difference in mobile phone call/sms charges in Australia compared to USA. Unlimited text messages in the USA for US$10/month.

Pozgar said she trained by sending on average 8,000 text messages a month to her friends - an astonishing rate of one every five and a half minutes. She pays $US10 ($A12) dollars a month for an unlimited text package on her mobile phone.