Submitted by David Kuan08.04.2008
Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., a senior member of the House Transportation Committee, successfully advanced a bill to prohibit passengers from making mobile phone calls during flights.
On July 31, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the Halting Airplane Noise to Give Us Peace (Hang Up) Act, which would make the FAA ban on mobile voice communications during flights permanent.
"The ban would have certain exemptions for members of the flight crew as well as law enforcement officers. Additionally, passengers would still be able to access in-flight Wi-Fi, as well as send text messages and e-mails as those services become available."
The Hang Up Act now awaits a vote from the full House of Representatives.
Will the U.S. House of Representatives pass the Hang Up Act this year?
Let the community decide.
Suggested Odds50.00%
Prediction Close Date:12.31.2008 (EST)
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Comments
What flights currently allow people to make calls? Every flight I've been on there have been announcements that all cell phones must remain off for the duration. How is this law necessary (which I understand is irrelevant to whether or not Congress feels the need to waste their time and our money passing it)?
@Bradley, the Hang Up Act makes the ban permanent.
"The Federal Aviation Administration already bans cell phone calls during flights, and the Hang Up Act would make that ban permanent. The ban would have certain exemptions for members of the flight crew as well as law enforcement officers. "
As to the "waste their time and our money", I fully concur.
Permanent until they change it. That just takes a bit of lobbying, naturally.
http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/air-voip-or-not/2008-08-20. VoIP calls over broadband attempted with some success. VideoOIP does not. Regardless, this Act will disallow both, if approved.
And there are various Mid-East and European airlines playing around with offering cell service.
I suppose this is one way of erecting a second roadbloack beyond just the FAA to maintain the ban.
To be clear, this only has to pass the House - not the Senate or be signed into law. Is that correct?
I've changed the date to give this more time. I'm much more interested in the community's opinion if this will pass the House or not, not if the vote will take place in time . Agreed? So, in doing so, the wording will need to be tightened a bit.
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