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America Split on Airplane Cell Phone Use
August 07, 2008 3:00 PM
Curling up for a snooze on the red eye? Imagine trying to drift off only to be kept wide awake by the person in the seat next to you having a lengthy and loud phone conversation with his buddy. What do most people really think of that chatty neighbor?
A new survey released Thursday from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics outlines peoples' opinions - often strong ones - on cell phone use on airplanes.
The data showed that Americans are divided on whether cell phones should be allowed on flights. It concluded that the younger set - people who are between the ages of 18 and 34 - are far more tolerant of cell phones on planes than older Americans, ages 65 and up.
But although seniors are much less willing to think cell phone use should be allowed on planes, that data did not indicate a significant difference of opinion between younger and middle-aged Americans.
Of those people under age 35, 48 percent think they should definitely or probably be allowed. Not drastically different, 40 percent of those people ages 35 to 64 said the same.
Meantime, 27 percent of those ages 65 and up think cell phones should be allowed.
One issue with the survey: We don't know how frequently - or if at all - these people questioned actually fly!
-ABC News' Matt Hosford and Kate Barrett
August 7, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (6)
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Can you hear me? Can you hear me now?
Posted by: Kitty | Aug 7, 2008 3:30:29 PM
Texting and email should be ok.
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | Aug 7, 2008 3:35:05 PM
I'd gladly trade a flying yapper for the whiny family next to me in a restaurant.
With smoking gone, how about, "kids or non-kids?"
Posted by: DAVID NH | Aug 7, 2008 3:54:33 PM
Cell phone conversations are already out of control. At one of our local grocery stores, you're a freak if not gabbing away on your cell while shopping for dinner (this includes the check-out line). I agree with Mr. Coffee: Texting and email ONLY.
Posted by: makemyday2day | Aug 7, 2008 4:05:41 PM
I fly frequently enough that if cell phone conversations were allowed on planes, I would rework my travel arrangements. The first time I hear “I SAID I’M ON A PLANE!!!” at 30,000 feet, one of us is spending the duration of the flight locked in the overhead compartment.
Posted by: Bryan | Aug 14, 2008 8:41:49 PM
I haven't flown in about a year. However, I'm younger and I would choose not to have cell phones on the flight. Only if there were an emergency crash or something of that nature. I'm pretty sure whoever is trying to get a hold of you in the air can wait until you have landed to talk to you.
Posted by: Julia | Jan 22, 2009 11:33:45 AM
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