Have Your Say About Having Your Say in the Air

Got something to say about whether to allow in-flight cell phone calls? Now’s your chance.

The Department of Transportation will begin taking public comment on the use of mobile wireless devices for voice calls on aircrafts. The DOT will publish a 22-page proposal in the Federal Register on Monday; you can register your comments here.

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The Federal Communications Commission has already begun accepting public comment about lifting the ban on cellular calls.

This has been a divisive debate for all sides – the airlines, the government and the public – albeit one that has been less technical and more philosophical. Some like the idea of being able to make a phonecall in-flight; others consider it rude and something of a violation of personal space.

In a poll conducted in December by Quinnipac University, 59 percent of respondents said they did not want cell phone use in-flight. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee earlier this month approved a bill (H.R. 3676) that would ban in-flight cell phone use. The FCC is intent on llfting the ban, in place since 1991, but leaving the decision up to the individual airline.

If that’s the case, Delta, JetBlue and American have already said they will not permit cell phone use for voice calls on flights. Delta also said it would ban web-based calls such as Google Hangouts and Skype.

The DOT has made it clear it does not oppose cell phone or other mobile device use for data, “there is concern that the pervasiveness of in-flight voice calls could create an oppressive environment for passengers, especially on long-haul flights," the department said in a statement.

Several overseas carriers, including British Airways, have allowed voice calls for several years now, largely without incident.

The DOT public comment period ends March 22; the FCC ends on March 17. Neither government entity has set a deadline for a final determination.