When the FCC ruled last week to continue to ban cellphones on planes, travellers everywhere sighed in collective relief.
The old signals-interfere-with-systems argument was used again, but it seems like social engineering was the real reason behind the vote.
Airlines are concerned over crowd control issues more than any wireless signals gumming up the works. Passive passengers make for easy flights, and they fear that fights might break out over loud conversations. With flyers geared up to defend themselves since 9/11, conflict is a big possibility.
They also want to keep the passengers isolated from the real world. Bad news from the ground could cause panic and upsets on board.
It's a little sad that the public have to be lied to. Most people are happy to have a few hours of peace away from the phone, so why not come clean? After all, if there really were technological issues of interference, shielding the cockpit and sensors would be easy enough. But then again, if we believe that liquids and iPods are dangerous, we'll believe anything.
Why cell phones are still grounded [Computer World]
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