| In early 2007, OnAir will arrive. OnAir is a service | | | | deem to be a very important business call and |
| that uses satellite technology to enable air travel | | | | end up talking longer than they expected. Or, a |
| passengers to use wireless devices such as | | | | mom who just wants to check on her children for |
| mobile phones, Internet connections from | | | | a minute will end up having to chat with each one |
| computers and Blackberries during a flight. The | | | | of them before she can hang up. |
| debate over the use of wireless technology during | | | | It's no wonder that air travel passengers are |
| flight has been going on for years, and now that | | | | concerned that the use of mobile phones will |
| it's about to happen, the debate is likely to heat | | | | become an annoyance during flights. They already |
| up. | | | | are an annoyance down on the ground. Another |
| First of all, you should know that the first wave | | | | concern some air travelers have will be the |
| of this will not be happening on US flights. Airbus, | | | | tension that all of this annoyance will create, |
| the plane manufacturer who is creating this | | | | perhaps making already jittery flyers more |
| technology, is selling it to AirFrance. AirFrance is | | | | frustrated and pushing them over the edge. |
| expected to have the service available to | | | | Some people are already nervous just about |
| passengers in early 2007. Whether passengers will | | | | flying. Add a cramped, overcrowded plane to the |
| have to pay for the service like they pay for | | | | mix, the constant threat of terrorism, the |
| headphones for a movie is not known yet. Two | | | | restrictions on what can be carried on, and now |
| other airlines, the British airline bmi and TAP Air | | | | the addition of an inconsiderate mobile phone user |
| Portugal are both considering using OnAir, but | | | | sitting right next to that nervous flyer, and |
| nothing has been finalized, yet. | | | | someone might just snap. |
| So what is the debate all about? Who wouldn't | | | | What about Internet connection? |
| want the convenience of using their cell phone | | | | Travelers aren't as adamantly against the use of |
| during a long flight, getting important e-mails on | | | | Internet connections for computers and pda's |
| their Blackberry or having the luxury of surfing | | | | such as Blackberrys. Those devices are quiet. |
| the Internet to pass the time? Apparently, lots of | | | | Many passengers already use their laptop |
| people and for some very valid reasons. | | | | computers on a flight; it's just not connected to |
| The Safety Consideration | | | | the Internet when they use it. Being able to send |
| There has been an ongoing concern that the use | | | | and receive e-mail messages while on a flight |
| of mobile phones (cell phones to us Americans) | | | | could be convenient to most people, particularly |
| and other devices that use wireless technology | | | | business travelers. There doesn't seem to be |
| could interfere with the plane's navigational | | | | much of a debate over these devices as long as |
| equipment. Recent technological advances in both | | | | safety is not a concern. |
| navigational equipment and cell phone technology | | | | What Can be Done? |
| seem to negate this concern, but not everyone is | | | | When should you start being concerned with this |
| convinced. There is concern that the navigational | | | | issue? As of right now, US carriers don't seem to |
| equipment on older planes may still be affected. | | | | be considering using OnAir or any service like it. A |
| The Mobile Phone Debate | | | | report on MSN Travel said that the airlines that |
| Okay, suppose the safety issue is taken care of | | | | they asked AirTran, Spirit, and US Airways all said |
| and there is no concern that wireless | | | | that they have heard their passengers say they |
| communications technology will interfere with the | | | | don't want mobile phones used on planes and are |
| plane's navigational equipment. What objection is | | | | against adding the services. However, the question |
| there to the use of mobile phone's during a flight? | | | | is, if these services do catch on in Europe and |
| Surveys have shown that the majority of air | | | | prove to be a money maker for the carriers who |
| travelers are against the use of mobile phones on | | | | use it, will the US carriers jump on board? In an |
| an airplane because it would be downright | | | | era of shrinking profits, will they be able to resist? |
| annoying to sit next to someone who is receiving | | | | So if the trial that AirFrance is giving OnAir proves |
| and making phone calls for hours on a flight. They | | | | to be successful and the US carriers jump on |
| imagine being stuck between two incessant | | | | board, what can be done to make sure that |
| talkers. | | | | mobile phone usage does not become a problem |
| Common sense would seem to tell you that | | | | on board? |
| people wouldn't really be so inconsiderate as to | | | | One solution is to have no cell phone usage times. |
| have hour's long conversations on their mobile | | | | Perhaps next to the little light above your seat |
| phone during a flight. But experience has shown us | | | | that lets you know if you need to have your seat |
| when it comes to mobile phones, most people | | | | belt fastened or not, there could be another light |
| loose their common sense. People will hold loud | | | | that lets you know if it's the proper time to use |
| personal conversations in restaurants and grocery | | | | your cell phone or not. Cell phone time could be |
| stores and on buses. They will drive using a | | | | restricted on long flights and on flights that are |
| handheld mobile phone even states where it has | | | | overnight when most people would want to sleep. |
| been made illegal. So does anyone really believe | | | | Another solution is to give the crew the ability to |
| that people will use common sense and | | | | disable the voice function on devices during |
| consideration during air travel? Not really. | | | | restricted times. During those times text |
| It's easy to see the scenario. Business people who | | | | messaging and e-mailing would be allowed, but |
| intend to be considerate will receive what they | | | | talking would be disabled. |