Report: Americans get productivity shaft with in-flight phone ban
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Jan 17th 2008 8:58PM
posted Jan 17th 2008 8:58PM
This seems sort of obvious, but in case it wasn't crystal clear, a report from some company called Freesky Research points out that travelers on US airlines -- where cellphone use is categorically banned -- suffer an in-flight productivity hit versus their counterparts in Europe and Asia who are flying airlines that now allow yapping and / or data services from the comfort and convenience of their seats. The firm really makes it seem like a desperate situation, too, saying that the FAA, FCC, and other powers that be are "allowing other countries to leap ahead with in-flight productivity, while facing mounting evidence that there is no safety benefit to passengers." Perhaps what they failed to consider, though, is the safety benefit of not getting slapped by your neighbor when you're mouthing off on the celly for a good 40 minutes straight.[Via textually.org]
Thank God for the good ole' USA, FCC, FAA and anybody else with an acronym. Productivity lost for 1 = Sanity saved for many.
Now data is a different story ... save VOIP that is. :-D
Damn straight. I don't want to listen to some teen yapping for the 3 hours we sit on the tarmac WAITING to take off, then in the air as well. Even with my noise canceling headphones, it doesn't block everything. Keep the peace in the skies!
Christ I would rather have these chatterboxes yapping away on their phones instead of trying to strike up a conversation with me. I've got those Bose noise cancelling headphones for a reason, so yack away chatterbox.
"Now data is a different story"
If you read the full release, the point is made that it's not about voice, but the rapidly growing use of text messaging on international airliners.
Also, talk for 40 minutes over Inmarsat, and your phone bill could be higher than the price of your airplane ticket.
Google "freesky research"...this is a company that offers consulting for the in-flight phone industry. Biased, anyone?
seriously, fuck any asshole that wants to talk on their phone while on a plane...thank god for a good ruling by the FCC...this will be the first time in my life I feel like my tax dollars have gone somewhere useful
Amen!
Couldn't agree more! There should be a no noise whatsoever ruling as far as I'm concerned.
You stupid americans.
Nobody will be talking away on their phones for 40 minutes. The airline will probably charge a good $5 a minute, so who the hell are going to pay 200 bucks for mindless yaking on board? Not a single one.
I predict it'll be used for giving or recieveing short messages, or even better: SMS.
You stupid European, they are talking about cell phone use, not inflight payphones. Obviously you haven't been exposed to teen girls talking on their cell phones non-stop for hours, screeching to their girlfriends about the new boy in class.
Know what you are talking about before you rant.
obviously youve never been to the United States...
This stupid european sure have been exposed to teen girls talking on their cell phones non-stop for hours, screeching to their girlfriends about the new boy in class.
However, in flight cell phone use will surely not be charged the same as calls on the ground. You will probably have to pay a premium roaming fee or whatever when using the repeater on board the plane. Most of these solutions are based on satelite uplinks, and that's some expensive shit.
So my point is this: Using your phone on board will be an expensive affair. I sure wouldn't use my phone on board the plane if it were to cost me 2-3-4-5 bucks a minute, or SMS at a dollar a pop.
unfortunately, you dont seem to understand - teenagers (in the US, cant speak for other places) don't give a SHIT about how much it costs when their parents are paying for it. Why do you think ringtones sell so well? because they can put it on their cell phone bill THAT THEIR PARENTS PAY FOR.
i have to agree with dave. nobody cares about how much it is if theyre not the one paying for it. and even if they are, they will wait until they get the bill and then freak out later. but they will still yap on the plane. im all for data (minus voip) and sms, but no thank you to voice.
ive already had my fair share of people churping out loud on the bus and trains. dont need it on a plane. thank you very much.
Screw productivity on airplanes! Go along for the ride and shut the hell up! If I have to hear some jack ass talk all smoochy smoochy with the GF I'm gonna beat him stupid!
lol
I miss the days when you could actually smuggle a taser on board and if the jackass next to you wanted to yackety-yack, give him a dose of "shut the hell up"
and as far as americans losing productivity, lets not forget that we already work the most as it is.
from '99 - '06:
http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/26/077.html
http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0728-02.htm
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/CAREER/trends/08/30/ilo.study/
http://www.minneapolisfed.org/research/QR/QR2811.pdf
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1528