Message To Airline Passengers: 'Tap, Don't Talk'

A measure to ensure cell phone calls stay out of airplane cabins was approved by the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Tuesday. The Full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) (pictured), approved the measure by voice vote.

Chairman Shuster introduced H.R. 3676 in the House, with U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) as the lead Democratic cosponsor of the bill.  The bipartisan legislation prohibits the use of cell phones for voice communications only during the in-flight portion of any scheduled domestic commercial flight.  The bill contains exemptions from the ban for on-duty members of flight and cabin crews, and federal law enforcement personnel acting in an official capacity.
 
“This bill is simple.  When it comes to cell phones on planes, tap, don’t talk,” Shuster said.  “Airplane cabins are by nature noisy, crowded, and confined. In our day-to-day lives, when we find someone’s cell phone call to be too loud, too close, or too personal, we can just walk away. But at 30,000 feet, there’s nowhere else for an airline passenger to go.  Under this bill, passengers will be able to use their mobile devices to stay connected, through getting online, emailing, texting, and more.  During flights, it is common sense and common courtesy to continue keeping cell phone calls on the ground.”
 
“The American public has made it overwhelmingly clear that they do not want to be subjected to annoying cell phone conversations while stuck on an airplane,” said DeFazio.  “I joined Chairman Shuster’s bipartisan bill because I believe we should do what we can to protect consumers and ensure safety on all flights.  Today’s passage will help preserve passenger sanity.”

FMI: http://transportation.house.gov